Yes. I have seen several ready to ride commuters at local shops and a great many more hybrids that would make excellent utility bikes with a little work. In fact, I would say they are becoming slightly more common. I am a cheapskate and would likely buy a used Raleigh Sprite, but some are pretty nice.

This reply wins the Internet.

Anyone who says $750 is the entry-level break point is, well, ********. Or OCP. I bought a $350 Specialized Hardrock Sport from a bike shop late last summer, and 700+ miles later it's still going strong. It's never had anything done to it besides new tubes, and it's supporting my gigantic abusive butt. Note that after the winter abuse, it squeaks like crazy but nothing has broken. I'm proud of it, it's a beautiful beast that has served me well beyond description.

For my new commuter, I bought a Trek 7.3FX. I paid $479 for a 2007 model (yay for buying a bike in January in Nebraska :)), and it's awesome. I haven't ridden it much because it's just so pretty and I don't want to get it dirty. The OCP crowd would shake their head at my babying of a "low end" bike, but to me it's nothing near low-end, it's a high end speedster.

It's all about perspective. While I certainly doubt some of cigs claims, the bike does what he needs to when he needs it to.

Actually, I think the $750 thing applies to road bikes, mostly. Decent, entry-level mountain bikes cost a lot less than that.

Or as I stated eons ago on this thread an old steel framed road bike from a private seller/craiglist etc. I was summarily flamed as an elitist jerk who just wanted to see the OP fail. I should also add in old steel framed mountain bikes as well as I recently picked up a 1996 Trek 950 Single Track for $25. It needed air in the tires and cleaning. I also predidicted eons ago on this thread that the bike would hold up fine and that the maitinence Cig provided would be a big factor.

I still stand by my original statement and it is more about the effort of searching for and learning about older bikes, that puts most people off of looking for a nice, used bike. Cuturally speaking "used" is for people who can't "afford new". It is easier to go to a department store and buy a bike like the one in question. Better is a relative term dependant on the user; for me older bikes are better and a greater value for the $$ spent.

Plus how much fun do you have at Wal-Mart selecting a bike from the rafters? I like looking for bikes in unlikely places, the "thrill of the chase" and all that. YMMV

ITLB you always take the VC zealots to task and the roadies as well for their apparent need to narrowly define 'cycling' or what a true cyclist is and then impose their narrow world view on the rest of us, and I tend to agree with you.

However, every reference you make to a 'commuter' bike or what a commuter cyclist rides - or even is - always involves chainguards, fenders, racks, lights, non-cycling specific clothing, etc. It seems to me that you are doing exactly what you take others to task for.

The fact is that many of us that have no interest in buying into the zealot's vc brand, or are willing to be led by the nose into some clicky roadie culture because we can actually think for ourselves, yet we choose not to use chainguards, fenders, racks, and maybe ride a bike which may not fit your ever-narrowing definition of a true 'commuter' while lugging our gear in a backpack with our homebrew lights plastered to our helmet.... sometimes we even wear <gasp!> lycra cycling shorts because we just happen to find them much more comfortable on our 1 1/2 hour commute.

So please don't let yourself become a slave to your own dogma like the ones you so righteously deride, it could cost you your relevance.

...ok then, back to the GMC Denali debate :D

Agreed; A few Roadie Zealot look-a-likes and wannabes actually commute on a bike that fits their need. :) No Problem for me, these individuals shouldn't have any problem finding the bike that fits their needs in every LBS in the English speaking world.

Back to the GMC Denali debate

Cig- Glad to see the bike is still going without major repairs. Nice to see that it doesn't necessarily take a high-dollar bike to fit the bill.

CigTech,

I just wanted to thank you for a very interesting thread. It has been fascinating on more than one level. Even people's reactions and theories and misunderstandings have been interesting -- cyclists' minds and their conditionings and prejudices coming out in the open to see. Very interesting to see them so clearly on display here.

The details about the bike have been interesting too, and your experiences with it, and the fact-based or experiment-based approach.

I too would like to thank you for the very interesting review on this bike. I bought one myself some time ago before I looked to see what people said about them. Only thing is I got mine on clearance because my local walmart could not sell them. total cost was $63.86.

low, how do you like the bike?

Cig, hows the bike doing?

I really like it. I checked everything to make sure it was put together right. Much to my surprise everything was just like it was supposed to be. The guy who puts them together is a cyclist too.

btw I am 6' 3" with a 34" inseam and the bike fits just fine.

did cig's bike fall apart?

No, it is still riding along at 20 to 26 mph each and every day. I just scored some Shimano RSX Shifters for the Denali. Got them off ebay. They are still in the box they came in from Shimano. Never ben installed on a bike. So in a week or so, when I get them, I'll have them on the Denali. Now I just need a RSX rear Derailleur to match the shifters. Looking at one on ebay for 17.95 right now.

As for the Denali I have only had two flats and no problems out of it once I got the Shifters dail in. I don't like the rear Derailleur that much. becase of the slow down shifts so I am going to replace it soon.

can you upload some pictures? I would like to see how the bike look.

Looks the same as new but I'll get some piture of it tomorrow

Tomorrow's today!

Is this GMC, like the car company? wtf.

cross-branding

Its a Walmart bike. It actually looks pretty nice. I've seen a few of them on my commute in the PaloAlto area and was pleasantly surprised how good they look.

I went ahead and took the plunge as well and bought one of these. Inspired by this thread. I know the connotation's surrounding this bike. But at the same time I wanted something to tinker with and improve upon. At some point in the future if I get more into it. Which I can anticipate. I will take the plunge into a more expensive road bike. This one is meant as a means to a beginning :). If anyone is here in the Tampa area besides CigTech and interested in this bike there is a plethora of them (about 15 or so) at the Wal-Mart @ N Dale Mabry Hwy and Bearss Ave. I went late tonight when no one was really working, took their ladder, and climbed up to the third rack to inspect each bike before finding the one that was quasi-assembled right. I plan on reassembling and tightening everything tomorrow. I just wanted one that someone didn't mess up in the assembly process.

The big problem I have with the Denail is the tubes. That is too say finding replacement tubs. Because of the long steam needed for the rims. I'll send a e-mail to Kent bicycle to see if I can get them from them. The two flats I have had was due to the rim tape. I have replaced the rim tape and have not had a flat sents.

I'm liking it so far. I bike 13.65 miles yesterday and 4.95 miles today (on my recovery day). Either way it's fun.

You can get inserts to size schreader rims to presta. These fit in the tube side of the rim, so there will still be a gap at the outside but that should not cause a problem, and you will be able to use easy to find long presta valves.

I'm still wanting to hear how much the bare frame weighs. Has anyone stripped one down and weighed it?