Coinpurse

If you're pulling at 30mph on a bike that weighs 34 pounds in stock form, that probobly doesn't fit properly, you sir, should be racing in Europe.

I don't think you understand ENTRY LEVEL. That is a term mainly used to describe race bikes. Not recreational bikes such as the Denali. There are plenty of Cat 3 guys riding Entry level bikes and doing great.

wphamilton

It would need to do the pedaling for me to be a capable race bike. Or come equipped with grappling hooks. I won't disagree with that though, a Denali would not be a good choice for racing.

wphamilton

I can go even faster when it's even steeper

ps, if you go to bikes direct, and look at the "entry level" road bikes, those components are what I'm talking about. Fairly equivalent to what OP installed unless I'm mistaken.

Coinpurse

Ok, that's about the same "parts", but the frames are lighter and stiffer I bet. The bikes listed don't get to "entry level", in my opinion, till the have at least Tiagra. But hey, opinions are like...well you know. Just like all this banter about a guys bike, that he is happy with. Sure makes the work day go fast.

banderson11071

I do plan on upgrading to a better frame when my wallet allows it. What would you concider a good entry level frame? Thought I'd pick your brain a little.

joe_5700

Even though you did not ask me, even a Nashbar frame would be a great entry level frame.

banderson11071

I do like the all alum one that i used on my wife's bike. Very stiff and I like the integrated headset.

Side note: The nashbar frame was only slightly lighter than the GMC frame. Less than a 100 gram difference.

joe_5700

Weight differences aside are you saying that the Denali frame is as good as this? https://www.nashbar.com/bikes/Product...0_10000_202337

The Denali frame cost less to manufacture it is that simple. Now why do you think this is?

Coinpurse

The Nashbar aluminum frame is good, also the Performance Bike "Scattante" brand is a good bike. You can usually, as you know, find them on sale at either store. Specailized sells their Allez module (frame, fork, headset and seat post) for a reasonable price and Felts aluminum module "F" series is reasonable. Ebay always has good deals on frames. Which ever you choose, you want to make sure it fits properly. Your LBS can help size you.

Just make sure you ditch the forks too.

banderson11071

No, No, I agree with you that the Nashbar frame is better. However, I'd rather spend the money and also my time swaping the frame using a frame that is more than just marginally better than what I already have.

Coinpurse

Sewer pipe?


I joke!

joe_5700

This is marginally better... https://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-Cervelo-S1-5...item2566512763

banderson11071

What do you think of some of the ebay carbon frames?

joe_5700

There are multiple threads on here about them and many people really like them. I however am going to be getting a frame from a known company. That way if something happens it is guaranteed. What happens if you crack your Denali frame or the ebay carbon frame in 3 years after normal use? Do you think you will be given a replacement? I know companies like Felt, Specialized and Cannondale etc. will give you a replacement.

Coinpurse

I think those frames are from the same factory that maks big name bikes... Maybe they are seconds where the clear is flawed or something. My brother ordered some handle bars from one of those factories and loves them. I would probably get one, but I have a carbon bike already.

Coinpurse

$580.00

Banzai

I've seen several of these threads float by over the years here.

When it's all said and done...how much money are guys spending on these POSs? The amount seems rather appalling to me, given what it is.

Buy a Nashbar frame. Build it up with some decent stuff. It'll be cheaper/lighter/better in the end. Or really in the beginning, since you'll START at a good point, rather than trying to save some horrible Rube Goldberg contraption one grinding and/or comically funny and malfunctioning bit at a time. Compared to these Denali surgical repairs, it'll be like having the best of everything.

wphamilton

What I don't get is how 15,000 miles and two years of satisfactory operation with only normal repairs so difficult to believe? I wouldn't argue against what you advise, but a lot of this reaction is exaggerated to the point of nonsense. Neither the bike's ride nor quality is anywhere near as dismal as what everyone seems to think.

Does anyone really want to compare miles per dollar spent with me, or rides per dollar either one?

lunchbox1972

Why bust somebody's balls for doing something like this, he's not doing it with your money, or time?

Without knowing how much my friend spent you don't really know that to be correct..

pdedes

get on the pedal force group buy.

Banzai

Meh. Most of these Denali threads seem to start with MAJOR work inside the first 100 miles. After that it's normal maintenance. I do normal maintenance on my bikes too. But I didn't have to start by gutting them. The standard Denali thread script is:

1)Buy Denali.
2)talk about the great deal, slide in some comments about the anti-Walmart snobbery around here
3)start posting about inop parts
4)follow up with grinding noises
5)speculate on all the "what-ifs" that would make it a good bike
6)gut and rebuild while still new.
7)talk about what a great bike it is.

God bless Nashbar...coulda done the same through them while skipping several steps of that story, AND not having to worry about actual Nash-bike owners looking down on the Denali. To top it off, those Denalis are fugly. Sorry, but that counts for quite a bit. Having seen them in real life, I think they'd be fugly even with the paint stripped. They're fantastically fuglier than a Nashbar frame, and the Nashbar frames aren't winning beauty contests.

justkeepedaling

I got some darned nice bikes on craigslist for less than what you paid for your Denali. With Ultegra.

in0va3

What? Really?

Coinpurse

Because we can. He defends it well too.

GiantDefyGuy

So I met banderson11071 yesterday, and we went for a ride.

He's actually a pretty cool & normal guy. He's not the usual "chip-on-the-shoulder" denali owner.

The bike looks pretty cool in person, I have to give him that. The flat black paint makes it look like a stealth fighter. We were able to do totally normal things on our ride. We went up a hill, we rode over train tracks, we rode through gravel/rocks, etc. It's not like he needed to be careful on the denali or anything.

Here are a few fun facts:
His upgraded Denali is lighter than my Giant Defy3.
That bike has a lot of welds! It looks like it's built pretty sturdy though. (like a tank).
He brought his friend along who also had a denali, so I was sandwiched between 2 Denalis for like 2 hours. I felt so dirty when I got home.

Anyway, I've seen this bike in person, and it actually exists, and the OP is cool. That is all.