tjspiel

These road bikes from Bikes Direct are $259

They might not be exactly what you were looking for but to me at least they're a notch above the Denali. I wouldn't compare them to a entry level road bike from a bike shop though.

grizzly907la

I'll edit my original post because I forgot to mention that bought the Denali a year ago, and this bike wasn't available on BD. For that I apologize. I also look at like this. When you buy a bike from Walmart, Amazon or BD you are not only paying for the bike but you are also paying for the costs of getting the brakes, and gears adjusted, some lights and maybe a helmet. Some people may only have a budget of $259, and all of the added stuff has to fit into that budget. I am not begrudging the BD you showed. The BD is a step above the Denali and it looks like a great bike.

I also stated that I have reason that are different from the mainstream. Many people are living hand to mouth, and maybe they are only able to afford a Denali.

What's your main issue with the Denali aside from the ones that are commonly listed?

tjspiel

I think the commonly listed issues pretty much cover it.

That and the marketing. If you believe Walmart's description, you'd think you're getting a serious, lightweight road bike. I'm not sure how they did it, but they managed to make an aluminum road bike almost as heavy as straight gauge steel road bikes being sold 40 years ago.

To be fair, I have problems with BD's marketing too. BD is probably worse for reasons I won't go into here.

I understand that if $200 is all you've got to spend, then that's it. But I think a lot of people buy these, not because they can't afford to spend more, but because they think they're getting a nice, lightweight road bike for a song. My worry is that someone less mechanically inclined than you or CigTech will just put up with sub-par shifting and perhaps even worse, get turned off to cycling entirely because of the little annoyances that can come with a bike like this.

And for most people that can afford to spend $200 on a bike, I think it's possible to spend $259. It might take a little more scrimping and saving. It might mean selling some things they don't use or finding a way to make a few extra bucks.

I mean if $200 is really all you have, and you're busting your butt just to get by, I'm not sure you should be spending it on a new bike.

Maybe I'm a bit of an elitist by now, but I've wasted more money than I'd like to admit on cheap stuff because I thought I was getting a deal only to wish I had spent a little more.


Edit: I do think there are people for whom this bike makes sense. If you're somebody who likes the look and feel of a road bike but ultimately are just a casual, periodic bike rider, then I see no reason spend a ton of money on a bike that you only ride now and then. I know plenty of people who get on a bike less than 6 times a year.

Robert C

As I have mentioned, it goes against the orthodoxy here; but I also am no firm believer in Craigslist.

I agree with your approach, do check CL first, you might get lucky, as some report, miracles do happen. However, in most cases, CL only works for the faithful. If you study bikes to the point of it being a maniacal passion (and there are plenty of tracts, bibles, and websites to guide you in this pursuit), and attend CL frequently, then you will probably start seeing these miracles.

However, if you need a bike now, you are best placing your time and efforts elsewhere.

I happen to place more faith in Bikes Direct, as some others here do; but, it is good to hear that you have a bike that is working well for you.

MattFoley

Leets? Is it 1998 again?

wphamilton

Man that stings. I actually like riding that bike (it was $139 in my case ), and like to think that I'm more than a casual now and then rider.

I'd probably go for something off Bikes Direct instead though if I had to do it today.

tjspiel

I'm seriously glad you enjoy the bike, but I'm thinking that if you had rode it less than 6 times a year, it would still have a functioning front shifter.

So I'm probably a snob but I think that casual bike riders make up a pretty good chunk of the total market and that big box stores do a reasonable job of catering to them. It's like any type of sporting good you'd get from Target or Walmart. If you want to spend an afternoon fishing with your kid now and then, whatever fishing equipment you get from there will be good enough to enjoy the day. But if you like to fish a lot, you'll want to go somewhere else.

Same with camping gear or tennis rackets. We had a neighborhood tradition of going on a weekend camping trip during Father's day weekend. It's was half a dozen families or so and we never went too far from home. Some of the kids were pretty young. One year, one of the bigger families had got this giant multi room tent from Target. All the kids loved it. It had nice big windows and room dividers. And the bottom was pretty waterproof because the inch of rain that came in during the downpour on the first night was still there in the morning.

wphamilton

I'd had about 14,000 miles before I changed out the shifter and rings I'd actually had a replacement revo shifter on it which was functioning - I just didn't like it and didn't see the need for a triple for how I was using it,.

likebike23

While CL isn't for everyone, it can yield some better deals than the Denali. If you know your stuff, check the postings diligently, can wrench your own bikes, and jump when you see something then you'll find the good stuff. I personally enjoy hunting down nice bikes in need of work, fixing them up, and either selling them or keeping them. Many of the nicer bikes have been gotten and refurbished for under $200.

tjspiel

And 14,000 is a lot of miles, but for somebody that rides a lot that might mean only 3 to 6 years. Maybe a little more, maybe a little less. Not so great for a shifter. On the other hand many "serious" riders get new bikes that often anyway so maybe it doesn't make much difference.

For that matter I'm sure a replacement Revo shifter isn't going to set someone back too much. I do have some experience with them. One of my kids' bike had them. The shift indicator window broke off one of them when the bike fell over. Eventually I replaced them with some used SRAM grip shifters I picked up for a few bucks.

My road bike is 8 years old and the fixed gear I'm riding is probably 30 years old. Until my son crashed it last year it was a geared bike and the shifters, derailleurs, etc all worked great. I have no idea how many miles were on it.

After looking over this post perhaps the key to bike longevity is to keep my son away from them.

rebel1916

I'm glad you like your bike. Not sure why all the extra nonsense was needed.

grizzly907la

I'll study the urban dictionary and be sure to use terms that are more up to date. Don't hold your breath.

grizzly907la

I couldn't afford Bikes Direct last year and the irony is that I can afford them this year but I already have a bike. I would get a second bike but I don't have a lot of room in my APT to store it. The management frowns upon screwing bolts in the wall to suspend a bike frown. BTW good on you for using Teddy Roosevelt as your AV.

grizzly907la

I myself am gathering camping gear and I've been going the military surplus route for the most part. I can't afford REI. To be clear I am not racing with the Denali. I am using it as a commuter. I don't begrudge you for disliking the Denali. I hate Mac's and Apple in general, but I don't begrudge the people that use them (unless they are elitist.) I try to make due with what I have. I've seen immigrants riding bikes that looked like they were being held together by duct tape and bailing wires. I wouldn't ride their bikes but I wouldn't harsh them as well. I appreciate your sentiment and I hope to either build or buy a kickass touring bike someday. Most people have to make due these days as well as improvise, adapt and overcome. My first tablet was a G-Tablet and it was crappy. I made due with it and got the most out of it. I actually repaired it as well.

The Denali is a decent inexpensive bike and I wouldn't and haven't compared it to an entry level LBS bicycle. Yes I would go to BD to get a new bike at this point and time because I would have the cash to spare for it. I didn't have that type of cash last year.

grizzly907la

I want to refurbish an old bike just for the fun and experience of doing it. I like fixing and building things, and I have a knack for making things work out for me. For example I want to learn how to fix cars.

grizzly907la

My Denali is comfortable to ride. I've ridden more expensive bikes that were not as comfortable.

likebike23

Get yourself an illustrated repair book from the library, some basic tools and you're on your way. If you can find a free/cheap bike to practice on that's always good. Jump on any good deal regardless of the fit, sell the bike and turn the profit into something else to keep. If you play it right, you can get a really nice bike for cheap/free. Oh yeah, Niagaracycle.com is your friend for replacement parts.

grizzly907la

I learned how to tune my brakes and gears by watching Youtube video's. I am also volunteering at a bike co-opt. I will purchase a good illustrated repair book so I can have a reference at the ready. I've been buy stuff from Niagaracycle through Amazon. I am also contemplating buying one of those folding bike stands. I already have a bikehand tool set. It doesn't have absolutely everything that I need. however the tools came in handy when I was replacing stuff on the bike.

AlTheKiller

Glad it worked out for you. For the average person I will continue to dissuade these **** bikes. That doesn't mean they can't be made to work, but it often means for a very small sum more, many can be made to work better.

It's mostly the hidden costs that make these bikes less of a deal to the average consumer who doesn't know adjusting a headset from truing a wheel. it's going to cost the average person seventy five dollars or more to get these things actually assembled properly by a bike shop, that wipes out most of the savings. Or they can just ride it not assembled properly, which might seem like more savings at first, but quickly find out the opposite when the bearings fail in a few months. You were already over the cost of a $320 giant escape three, which has an actual aluminum frame worth riding, lifetime warranty on frame, year warranty on parts, it had been assembled properly, and usually comes with at least six months of free adjustments from the shop... Was the $120 you saved on initial purchase ACTUALLY saving anything at all half a year later? For most, the answer is no.

My main gripe with these bikes is that they build them even ****tier for the sake of marketing. They "shape" the aluminum tubing in ways that make no sense and serve no purpose because that's what the big brands do, they could have used round tubing and probably saved you even more cents. Except when a big brand has shaped tubing, that's trickle down technology from their high end stuff and might actually serve some purpose.building a bike isn't rocket science, yet somehow they are able to make bikes more inferior than they were twenty years ago, all to catch the eye of people who don't know better.

Cyclosaurus

I think it's great you have found a bike you enjoy riding and can maintain in good working order. It's great to see you write up your experience for others. It's always better for people to know what options are available. I've always been curious how viable the GMC Denali is and how it can work for someone.

As far as the leets go, as you put it...while I think the "elitist" mentality is offensive in theory, in fact I come across it so infrequently that it barely registers. The kitted-out roadies I see are as intimidating as circus clowns, and unless they are jerks, I'm happy to share the road with them. I don't have anything against someone with a $2,000, $3,000, $5,000, $10,000 bike. Most of the people with high-end bikes that I have met just love riding and are too into cycling to judge anyone who's getting out there for themselves. The few people who do get off on putting others down for their bike, equipment, their style, or even their skills can be easily ignored and/or laughed off.

wphamilton

You're right it was 3 years and it IS a crappy shifter in my opinion but after 3 years at $139 wth, replace the whole darn bike with another Denali and you're still way ahead of second place. I'm seriously not trying to be argumentative but it punches a button when I say I actually like it, and then someone opines "sure it's ok for the casual rider who might make six rides over the summer but for a serious cyclist ..."

Put some decent 28mm tires on and it's a nice easy-riding bike even going at a good clip, if you can get over the extra 10 pounds you're dragging around.

MRT2

Pretty much agree.

tjspiel

I realize that there's a number of people who've put quite a few miles on them and like them just fine. I'd just have trouble recommending one as an every day commuter. Not because they couldn't work, but because I think a little bit more money will get something that will provide a better experience in the long run. Of course I'm talking about $200 vs $259 and not $139.

I also understand your frustration with me. I put the words "serious" in quotes because it was half tongue in cheek. I read posts about how road bikes make lousy commuters all the time, yet somehow I manage to get to work on one most of the year and enjoy myself while doing it.

Dirt Farmer

For all of those interested, there is a site called bigboxbikes.com, where one can wax poetic about these types of bikes.

www.bigboxbikes.com ? Index page

MRT2

Back to the CL dilemma. I was perusing CL and agree there is a lot of entry level stuff selling for $150 to $200, which is what you would expect to pay for a completely restored entry level bike boom bike.

But I do see some diamonds in the rough that have potential. This morning, I saw on my local CL a Trek 700. Seller asking $80, though I suspect given the poor presentation of the bike (poor pictures, rough saddle), a buyer could get it for $50. But it is a bike that could clean up nicely with $50 or $75 in parts and a little elbow grease. Same with a Specialized Hardrock, also selling for $80. Even paying a bike shop, these bikes could probably be brought back to service for $200 total investment. (maybe)

Either one of these would make a nice commuter. Whether they would make better commuters than a new GMC Denali IDK, but I suspect they might.

For some reason, the mere presence of drop bars inflates the price of a lot of beat up bikes on CL.