Try the pads first and see how well they work for you. If that doesn't work then you may indeed want to upgrade your whole assembly. Changing the pads made a huge difference but that alone isn't going to quite do it for me.

@tjspiel, I haven't tried fenders and don't plan on it so I can't tell you much there. What I can tell you is that the Denali uses long reach brake calipers (mine measure out at 53mm) and it has mounts for fenders front and rear, so I'm guessing that there is probably enough clearance for them with the stock 32c tires.

BTW: The $300 BD offerings weigh 28-29 pounds. The Denali stock weighed 29 and I probably dropped a pound or two off changing the crankset. There isn't much savings of weight to be had at this point. Can't argue on the wimpy brakes, but I'm still only at a $279 price point for Shimano Sora, Dura-Ace, dual pivot brakes and other bits and pieces.

Many of the $300 BD bikes also utilize freewheels, but that Motebecane Mirage does have an 8 speed cassette. That's a nice touch. My only negative point with the Mirage is that it does utilize lower-grade derailleurs, more or less equivalent to what the Denali had stock. That doesn't matter as much with the downtube shifters I suspect, but it would be an upfront cost to upgrade. Alternatively, it does have a cassette and quick release wheels which the Denali does not. All that said, the Mirage is probably the only bike I'd take over my current build of the Denali at the $300 new price point, for it's upgradeability and decent list of standard components. It's a pretty sweet deal.

However if we are going to jump to around the $600 price point, this would be the bike I would get. Check it out.

http://www.bikesdirect.com/products/...our_legacy.htm

I've decided that given the complication involved with 9 speed drivetrains (meaning what I'd have to do to get one), I'll stick with 7 speed and hunt for 7 speed brifters like RSX or Vintage Sora, as they do exist. Anyone know if I can use an 8 speed brifter with a 7 speed drivetrain? I've seen them around also. But that's something for way in the future.

I hope I'm not coming across as saying that the Denali is better than anything else out there, rather I'm trying to say, as you are (tjspiel) that there is a place for it and it can be an enjoyable bike for someone who enjoys tinkering. And that throwing better parts on it isn't a wasted effort.

@ Tundra_Man, but in the end he still had a hammer. I'd be a bit delusional if I claimed the Denali was the world's best bike.

Looking back, there'd be only one thing I'd change. I recently found where I could have gotten a new 105 rear derailleur for $34. The Sora works fine for me currently so I see no reason to upgrade, but if I could do it over I'd have gone with the 105 for potential future upgrades.
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