hexism

My friend is selling me the trek for 120 and gmc for 150.

Both are barely used.

Which one should I get?

I use my bike to cycle around campus to get to classes and get food.

Thanks!

Amazon.com: GMC Denali Road Bike, Black/Green, 25-Inch/Large: Sports & Outdoors
2013 820 - Bike Archive - Trek Bicycle

bikemig 

The trek is a real bike; the GMC denali, not so much. Get the trek.

dpd3672

The Trek is a better value for the money, although unless I'm mistaken, one is a MTB and one is a road bike.

Depending on what type of riding you'll be doing, either one might be a bad choice.

I have the Denali; it was my first bike since I was a kid. They're not bad...probably one of the better big box store bikes, but heavy and full of low end components. I bought a Trek 820 for my ex gf, it was a much better bike, although still featuring lower end components and heavy.

hexism

May I know why?

The amazon reviews sound good but they might be fake.

Both are priced equally.

I won't do anything adventurous, just regular riding around campus.

hexism

Yeah. Trek is MTB and GMC is Road Bike.

Is it just the weight differences?

Wouldn't a road bike be lighter than MTB?

TenSpeedV2

The Denali is one step sideways of a bicycle shaped object. I would avoid it and get the Trek. You could always swap the tires out if you want to ride more on the street.

Lanovran

If it were something other than a GMC Denali, yes. I've had Denalis come into my shop for work, and every one that I've seen is an overweight hunk of junk. The 820 isn't a lightweight by any means (it's a steel beast), but I'd wager that it's more durable and reliable than a GMC, probably has better components (relatively speaking), and was likely built up by a more competent assembler (i.e. someone in a dedicated bike shop vs. a dept. or sporting goods store, since Trek bikes are only purchased new through, and built by, authorized dealers). My first "real" bike was an 820, and it carried me through most of my college career until it was stolen.

A couple of other questions you should ask... What size are the bikes, and is one a better fit than the other? Which is newer and/or in better condition? Keep in mind as well that you could put slicker, more pavement-friendly tires onto the 820 if necessary.

NormanF

The Trek 820 has a straight steel gauge frame. OP didn't mention his budget but if he's looking for a steel bike, at a minimum get a bike with a double butted cro moly frame.

It'll be strong without being unduly heavy.

mightymax

About three years ago I bought a Denali just to have a bike since at the time my Schwinn World Sport was down for refurbishing. I have since gotten my Schwinn back online and the Denali is a backup. I actually have been riding it all this past week as my Schwinn had a flat and I didn't feel like fixing it. Also over the past three years I have actually put approximately 5 thousand miles on the Denali with no issues other than broken spokes on the rear rim. Anyway for a cheap bike with a cheap stamped metal rear derailluer, it functions pretty well. It is an aluminum bike but it is a heavy bike weighing in at around 30 lbs! I also have a Trek 820 that I bought cheap but have not done the work on it to get it roadworthy. Anyway as stated the 820 is a MTB with straight bars and the Denali is a road bike with drop bars. You need to decide which you would be more comfortable on. I want to say this though. How old is the Denali? I ask because 150 sounds kind of high to me for a used Denali. I paid 170.00 delivered from WalMart.com three years ago and I was looking the other day at the website to see how much they are now because I have seen a few on Craigs list for almost 400.00! They sell for 170.00 so with tax and free shipping you can get a brand new one for 180.00! If you can assemble it yourself I would look at just buying new!

Good luck with whatever you decide

Jax Rhapsody

I've got the Genesis Roadtech, the Denalis cousin, and I wouldn't touch the denali. Typically a roadbike would be lighter, but it's not, becausebof the aluminum used, it's close to 40lbs, has crappy bar tape, uncomfortable brake hoods(the tops of the main brake levers on the drops), and grip shifts. Personally I got my roadtech because I needed another roadbike, and I love the frame design. The wheels are pretty cheap, the steel track style forks aren't too comfortable with jounce/rebound from potholes, etc. but it's not that bad, it does have mtb gearing. I believe the roadtech is a much better bike, and it's actually a little lighter. I was able to work on my bike, so I had very little problems with mine. I replaced the derailures, wheels, seat/post, main brakes, crank/pedals, and it's now a few pounds less than a buddys 90 schwinn roadbike. And it already had ergo style drops, so I had no reason to change those, and it has stem shifters. If you really want it, get it, but be prepared to work on it, or have it worked on, unless it's a Denali Envoy- which had brifters, and generally top of the line for these bikes, and walmarts sake. They are sturdy, but unless you want what is basically sorta a hybrid being sold as a road frame, get the Trek, throw on some road tires, or find some other decent roadbike online.

Again I love my roadtech, and it is now a 18-23lbs dream.

Altair 4

I have a Trek 820. Make no mistake, it's a pretty heavy bike. If the saddle is anything like my old one, you'll want to change it out for something more comfortable (unless you like the sensation of sitting on two baseballs). On the other hand, my is durable, shifts well, and rides pretty comfortably on limestone trails, cratered asphalt, and cobblestones with those 26 x 2.00. It's an okay bike. I'd go that way at that price point.

corrado33

The trek is a far superior bike to the GMC.

Think of it this way. Buying an old trek is like buying an old honda/VW/whatever you think is an old good car here.

Buying the GMC is like buying a new Russian Yugo. (If you don't know, Yugos are generally considered some of the ****tiest cars out there.)

You may be able to get them for the same price, but that's only because the trek is older. It was originally a higher quality bike. The 820 in particular is almost universally considered to be a great starter bike here on bike forums.

hexism

Wow. There are a lot of helpful responds.

I am having an exam tonight so sorry for the late responses but I will get back later tonight for a more detailed reply.

For some quick answers for some questions from you fellow nice bikers:

I think the GMC that I am having is the higher end one. It is retailed at $299. It is only a couple months old and barely ridden as my friend just bought it for fun.

Here is the link: https://www.amazon.com/GMC-Denali-Roa.../dp/B014H8HWQU

For the Trek, it is the 2013 model with some wear. Its been used fairly since last summer.

It looks exactly like the picture in this link: 2013 820 - Bike Archive - Trek Bicycle

I can't find any information on the weight on the trek though.

GMC is going for $150 and Trek is going for $120.

I just want a reliable bike that rides easily for a year before I graduate.

Consensus seems to incline to Trek. I am gonna buy it on Wed if no one says otherwise.

Thank you all!

Altair 4

IIRC, my 2005 model weighs approximately 35# (Bathroom scale method = Me + bike - Me). Mine is a "Large" frame size.

ColaJacket

Make sure whichever you buy fits you. If it doesn't fit you, it's not a good deal. So ride them both for a few miles. If they feel about the same, but the Trek. The Trek would have to feel a lot worse to me, for me to get the GMC.

GH

yuoil 

Just so you know, the "higher end" version from Amazon isn't significantly better than the walmart one. Just more $.

Cheddarpecker

I bought my Denali for $30 and used it for parts. All that remains is the frame, fork, stem, bars, derailleurs, and bottom bracket. The wheels are straight at least, but the freewheel is a cheap Falcon. Most of the parts went on a loaner bike. The remains can go in the scrap pile.

I replaced a tube, adjusted everything, and rode it three or four miles before stripping it.

hexism

Haha. That is a pretty cool way to measure.

So, the trek is ~35lbs while the GMC is ~29lbs.

Which one would you choose?

The reason you said that is because trek has better build quality?

Altair mentioned a trek weighs roughly 35lbs while GMC is 29lbs. Hmmm... Still trek?

that sounds like the Denali is really really bad... Did you get a very old Denali or they are all crap?

I think you are comparing the wrong one.

The cheap one is this one $179: 25" GMC Denali 700c Men's Road Bike, Orange - Walmart.com
The better one is this one $299: GMC Denali Black Green 700c Road Bicycle with 25'' Frame - Walmart.com

Or you are trying to say they are both crap lol.

Doctor Morbius

Of those two, I'd take the Trek and never look back.

TenSpeedV2

There is no higher end GMC. Both GMC bikes are crap, one just costs more. Get the Trek if it fits you. Don't get the GMC.

Altair 4

My Trek has been trouble-free. While the components are definitely low-end, at least they are name-brand low-end. It the perfect campus bike: low-end (shouldn't attract unwanted attention), tough (should last you through your college experience with minimal issues), and competent (you won't feel like the components are going to grenade on you). Get the Trek, buy some high quality locks, and some chain lube and you should be good to go.

Cheddarpecker

I wouldn't say it was very old, but very cheesy. The frame is hideous, assembled it weighs a ton, and the straight "aero" fork provided a pretty rough ride. Bars are interesting to say the least, had to split them to get at the shift cables. Stem is useless because it goes with the bars. I had at first used the seat, but after a few miles I put it on something else. It can be incentive for someone else to move up. The crank set has chrome plated plastic trim, of course the outer guard was already broken.

I used the cables, brake levers, and the pedals. I used the wheels, but then I tried the set from my 730 Trek and the switch was permanent. The recessed spoke holes in the deep Vs were never deburred, and they didn't come with rim strips. One tire came flat from a burr in the rim.

I also reused the bar tape at first, but it's now been switched over to a loaner, along with the wheels. I built a Centurion Signet, then a Summit Omni. The Centurion has much greater reach and the steel frame offers a much better ride. The Summit is the loaner, and carries the seat, wheels, tape, and chain. Even the Summit rides better than the GMC.

I think it'd be better to get a mountain bike with mountain bike gearing than a road bike with mountain bike gearing. The Trek is far superior.

XXLHardrock

FWIW, I met a guy at a rest area on I-90 in Montana this summer. He was on his way to Seattle from NYC on a Walmart GMC bike. All he changed was the brakes, seat and installed Schwalbe Marrathons.

Stucky

OP, I think you need a new "friend"! Anything's a better value than a GMC Denali- and you can buy a brand new one for what your "friend" is asking for his.

Those GMC's weigh right around 30 lbs- which is INSANITY for a road bike (Most entry-level road bikes are less than 20 lbs.)- which makes them heavier than most mountain bikes!

If you want a road bike, look on Craigslist for a real road bike- you'll have to pay a little more for something decent- but the difference will be night and day, compared to a Denali or riding a MTB on the road.

ramzilla

Trek is way cooler than a department store bike. You'll be more popular on a Trek. Get more girls.