Let me know how much and what shifters they have. I'm always looking for parts.

I'll be there next weekend and note the prices and models.

cigtech....you're commitment to this project is just simply amazing. it's cool to see people that are really dedicated to cycling that are not complete friekin' snobs. seems like you are quite the bike mechanic. since most of the people that are going to buy the denali will not have your expertise, do you think this is a good buy for them? many casual cyclists do not even know how to change a flat tire. if someone bought this bike, they would have to pay someone to do most of the work you did by yourself. granted, they would not put the miles on the bike that you did and they would not ride it as hard. i wonder if more casual cyclists would be better off just spending a few hundred more to get a bike that is completely ready to ride. also, i was wondering if you have ridden a nice light bike equipped with mid-range shimano or campy....like 105 or Veloce. I think you would be happy with the ride quality of those bikes. Hearing you write about going over 30 mph on the Denali really makes me wonder how fast you could go on a bike equipped with better wheels and lighter components. As you said though, if you like the frame it is definitely worth what you paid. It would be cool to see you do a second review of a entry level road bike made by Trek or Giant or someone like that. Anyhow, please don't take my questions and comments as criticism. I enjoyed reading the review (although I did not read all 23 pages). Good luck with your upgrades!

I think that most people that buy the low-end bikes will not be able to fix every thing that I did. That is way I made it a long review. To let people know just what it would take to keep this bike running in top from. You are right that a lot of bike riders do not know how to fix a flat. I see people taking they bikes to the LBS all the time to have a flat tire fixed. But with the Kanda Kwest tires that came on the Denali I have not had a flat in the test 2000 miles at all. And the last 5 days I have been riding through a broken bottle at one spot on the commute. Just to see how good these tires really are. And so far there is not any thing that has made it's way to the tube.

As far as Break adjustments go. Any one that knows what to look for can adjust break pads. I help people learn how to fix there flat and do adjustments to the break and drive train all the time. If I see some one broken down on the roadside I stop to see if they need help. Yes even in cars. I carry tools and tubs with me so why not through a 26" tube in the bag so if so one needs one I have it. I had a MTB and have 2 tubs left over from it. I take they old tube and patch it for the next time it is needed. I even had my wife bring me the floor pump and tools to show a guy how to fix his flat tire.

As to answer the question "do you think this is a good buy for them?" Yes! Let me just say that if you can't fix a flat and adjust your own breaks you really need to learn how to. See when you out just riding for fun it does not matter how long you have to wait for help to come and get you going again. But if you’re commuting and get a flat then you better know how to fix a flat or adjust the breaks. Enough said.

I have road some high dollar bikes in the past. And have to say they do roll easier and take less energy to get up to speed. In Dallas Texas I got a speeding ticket in 1991 on my 1989 Peugeot PB-14. I was doing 48-mph in a 35-mph zone. But the judge through it out because Texas speed limits are for motor vech. not for human power vech. SO to answer you question I have road a lot of low and high end bikes, and think that all bike are what you make out of them. And all bikes have a role in this world be it just for fun or commuting.

you are the man!

:roflmao: No I run the MAN over :roflmao:

I look forward to more reports on how this thing is doing and how long it will last! please keep us updated!

The carbon aero seatpost it $20, it will fit it but may not be tall enough.

Well found some Shinamo Soar ST-3300 shifters for $59.00 used and a Shinamo BIOPACE 52/42 CRANKSET 170MM $13.00. Both are Bolt and Play. So I won't have to change out the square taper bottom bracket.

Mastershake916, I looked up that seat post and it will be 2 inchs to short for me. But thnaks for looking.

There is also a non-aero carbon one there that I can take a look at.

Still looking for the shifter/break levers. Had a set on ebay for $49.00 but by the time the bidding was over there went for $102.00. And they where used. I find them for $99.00 at http://www.jensonusa.com/store/produ...Speed+Sti.aspx

But would like to find a used set for less.

It's not exactly a Denali when you change out most of the parts.

Okay, I'll look at the brake/shifter levers.

Buy the time I get done with the Denali, not even GMC will be able to tell it's a Denali. I'm am even look at some carbon forks for it. Remember I said I bought it just for the frame. Not for the components because a good road frame with MTB components is a waste of a good road frame.

Any updates on the Denali? I'd like to see some pics of the new setup. How is the riding in FL lately?

I'm still looking for some Shimano Sora st-3300 7 speed shifter and looking at eighter a 52/42/30 or a 50/40/30 crankest. So I have not really done anthing to it just yet. But I do have a lead on the shifter for $10.00 brand new so far. See a guy has them and thinks there just break levers. I think I'm going to have to tell him what they are befroe I get them. So I can sleep better at night after I get them.

Maybe its time for a new thread since this one is no longer a review of your trials and tribulations of commuting on an inexpensive Denali bought at WalMart.

1620 miles and counting. I use this for bike on bus alot. Now just a back up bike

I perdict that bike will perform fine as it is being maitained by someone who is skilled and detail oriented. My point as to the validity was that one camp has already decided the bike will fail. The other camp is more focused on cig's right to conduct the test and defendng it. My question is who here will be purchasing/ consider purchasing the bike based on the review? That to me is the valid point of the review.[/QUOTE]

As stated on 10-26-2006 and again I ask, who will be ponying up for the Denali or who already has?:)

yeah, now it's kinda like a frankenbike. it would be cool for someone to try and see how long the stock Denali would last.

I just don't understand the point of all this though. You could have just bought a cheap Sora equipped bike online for super cheap, and the frame probably would have been better. Hell, you could go look for a Raleigh, Univega, Miyata, or one of the better Schwinns at a thrift store and just upgrade it for a fraction of the cost of what you're doing.

Prepare for flaming!:D You need to read back further and realize that this post is as much class warfare ( or the perception thereof) as it is about bikes.

The point is about having fun. All this time and energy that we spend obsessing about and building bikes makes no sense.....except to have fun. Far sillier things have been done on these forums.

Believe me, I've been following this thread. I was as curious as anyone about the quality of the bike, but I'm skeptical about the idea of dumping a ton of money into such bike.

If you don't want to spend a lot but want a good road bike, you get an old one and upgrade some of it if you need to ($100 tops) or you get a fixie ($300, unless you do a conversion). Or you could always just buy a recent, used one for under $300.

Good point and even better question. I will not be "ponying up" for a Denali anytime soon. Reasons: as it has been said, I can upgrade an older bike I get at the thrift store for much cheaper, and I don't have to deal with all of the cheapness of a walmart bike. I think this has been an awesome thread that has essentially shown that someone with good bicycle mechanical skills can keep one of these on the road for quite a while- contrary to what many of us walmart bike haters might have thought. However, despite my probable ability to keep a Denali on the road, I'm not going to spend $140 on one and then have to upgrade it as well. Despite all of this, I still applaud Cig on his thread and diligence in following through with this project. Keep us up to speed on how the bike turns out with some decent components- prove us wrong.