Project Denali...aka pimp this turd
#26
Clark W. Griswold
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Because a frame is heavy does not make it stout or sturdy. A cheaply welded frame out of heavy materials could potentially break more easily than than a lightweight frame that was welded by professionals.
I will not get the obsession with scrap metal that was turned into a bike and named after some nasty gas guzzling SUV and wanting to "upgrade" it? Any money spent is not money well spent. Maybe if I didn't have any bike and I could get the bike running for $20 or less, I might consider putting that money towards it but if I am just starting a collection of bicycle shaped scrap metal I would probably instead up my goals to even just a single lower mid level hybrid and do a bit better or maybe actually up my goals to something really decent.
I will not get the obsession with scrap metal that was turned into a bike and named after some nasty gas guzzling SUV and wanting to "upgrade" it? Any money spent is not money well spent. Maybe if I didn't have any bike and I could get the bike running for $20 or less, I might consider putting that money towards it but if I am just starting a collection of bicycle shaped scrap metal I would probably instead up my goals to even just a single lower mid level hybrid and do a bit better or maybe actually up my goals to something really decent.
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#27
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I know a couple of things, and one is that those frames are NOT light. I once did a clean/lube/adjust on one of these, a yellow one that I picked up for free, and the next day I just put it out for free. It took a while, but someone eventually took it. I had it laying down as I didn't want to chance it falling onto the sidewalk and having someone smaller hurt themselves trying to move it. They are shockingly heavy versus anything but a rideshare bike, or a gaspipe + chrome job from the 1950s with a bunch of unnecessary stuff bolted to it.
The other thing I know is that there are so, so many better bikes out there for free or almost free to start with. You will spend less and have a better result. Tell us your preferred Craigslist area and there are dozens of people on this site who can look and pick out a dozen better options, and go through what's worth doing and what's not, and why, and how to do it. That thing is just not worth it- cut your losses.
Hell, you already have 2 better bikes based on your signature, so you know you can get quality stuff for not a lot. Two of the best road bikes I've ever had I got for free and spent on refurb and parts and it's really satisfying.
Last edited by Charliekeet; 07-06-21 at 04:00 PM.
#28
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You should put those whale fin sawtooth Zipps an Enve carbon fork and ETap on that thing.
#29
Grouchy Old man
Thread Starter
Hi. You say that the frame is light, but then you say it is stout, and needs to be sturdy because you are a Clydesdale. [EDIT - So am I, and you could make something better and durable even from a less "sturdy"-looking road bike, or with an older MTB as a base.]
I know a couple of things, and one is that those frames are NOT light. I once did a clean/lube/adjust on one of these, a yellow one that I picked up for free, and the next day I just put it out for free. It took a while, but someone eventually took it. I had it laying down as I didn't want to chance it falling onto the sidewalk and having someone smaller hurt themselves trying to move it. They are shockingly heavy versus anything but a rideshare bike, or a gaspipe + chrome job from the 1950s with a bunch of unnecessary stuff bolted to it.
The other thing I know is that there are so, so many better bikes out there for free or almost free to start with. You will spend less and have a better result. Tell us your preferred Craigslist area and there are dozens of people on this site who can look and pick out a dozen better options, and go through what's worth doing and what's not, and why, and how to do it. That thing is just not worth it- cut your losses.
Hell, you already have 2 better bikes based on your signature, so you know you can get quality stuff for not a lot. Two of the best road bikes I've ever had I got for free and spent on refurb and parts and it's really satisfying.
I know a couple of things, and one is that those frames are NOT light. I once did a clean/lube/adjust on one of these, a yellow one that I picked up for free, and the next day I just put it out for free. It took a while, but someone eventually took it. I had it laying down as I didn't want to chance it falling onto the sidewalk and having someone smaller hurt themselves trying to move it. They are shockingly heavy versus anything but a rideshare bike, or a gaspipe + chrome job from the 1950s with a bunch of unnecessary stuff bolted to it.
The other thing I know is that there are so, so many better bikes out there for free or almost free to start with. You will spend less and have a better result. Tell us your preferred Craigslist area and there are dozens of people on this site who can look and pick out a dozen better options, and go through what's worth doing and what's not, and why, and how to do it. That thing is just not worth it- cut your losses.
Hell, you already have 2 better bikes based on your signature, so you know you can get quality stuff for not a lot. Two of the best road bikes I've ever had I got for free and spent on refurb and parts and it's really satisfying.
I've scoured CL, and FB marketplace, and I would be hard pressed to find a bike that I can afford that isn't rusted, with seized handlebars, cranks, seat post, and no usable components. The CL is your area must be a goldmine of affordable bikes, and good for you, if it is.
I might be selling the DB Insight II. I don't know yet. I can tell you that isn't lightweight by any stretch of the imagination. The MTB is a tank, and I need to work on the Wellington I got. I might have the eat the fork on it...I don't know yet.
I agree that refurbishing a bike is very satisfying. I am cutting my wrenching teeth with the bikes I get, and would rather eff up, on them, instead of an expensive bike. I've yet to get a free bike that's ready to go out of the gate, but I am open to it.
I have no heat, no judgement. I know that the Denali is widely reviled on these forums and others.
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#30
Grouchy Old man
Thread Starter
Because a frame is heavy does not make it stout or sturdy. A cheaply welded frame out of heavy materials could potentially break more easily than than a lightweight frame that was welded by professionals.
I will not get the obsession with scrap metal that was turned into a bike and named after some nasty gas guzzling SUV and wanting to "upgrade" it? Any money spent is not money well spent. Maybe if I didn't have any bike and I could get the bike running for $20 or less, I might consider putting that money towards it but if I am just starting a collection of bicycle shaped scrap metal I would probably instead up my goals to even just a single lower mid level hybrid and do a bit better or maybe actually up my goals to something really decent.
I will not get the obsession with scrap metal that was turned into a bike and named after some nasty gas guzzling SUV and wanting to "upgrade" it? Any money spent is not money well spent. Maybe if I didn't have any bike and I could get the bike running for $20 or less, I might consider putting that money towards it but if I am just starting a collection of bicycle shaped scrap metal I would probably instead up my goals to even just a single lower mid level hybrid and do a bit better or maybe actually up my goals to something really decent.
#31
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I like the Denali frame because it's stout. I'm a Clyde. I needed to put 45c's on my insight, because the 32c's were sagging almost to the rim of the wheels. I didn't have that problem with the original Denali I had and that was also running 32c's. Don't get me wrong the Insight is a great bike, however I had to go with bigger tires to compensate. I spent $80 for it and I have most of the parts I need. I doubt that I could've gotten a late model road bike, with working components for that price.
Sometimes people only want to help you understand how it can be deficient. My velodrome track racing bike is a Raleigh that was 150.00 new in the box shipped to my door. The thing weighted 24lbs with one gear, no shifters, brakes, brake levers or derailleurs. It is stout, and using it I can feel, especially knowing what a good bike can be like, how much it is slowing me down and sucking away my efforts. I also have people who will talk to me about how I need one better, and I get that, but sometimes things need to be good enough.
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#32
Grouchy Old man
Thread Starter
Sometimes people only want to help you understand how it can be deficient. My velodrome track racing bike is a Raleigh that was 150.00 new in the box shipped to my door. The thing weighted 24lbs with one gear, no shifters, brakes, brake levers or derailleurs. It is stout, and using it I can feel, especially knowing what a good bike can be like, how much it is slowing me down and sucking away my efforts. I also have people who will talk to me about how I need one better, and I get that, but sometimes things need to be good enough.
#33
Rhapsodic Laviathan
I happily be a Kent Pariah with you. The Roadtech is the Denali's little bother in a fashion. I can take a Denali frame and turn it into an awesome entry level road bike for $300...easy. The Roadtech is essentially the same frame but with a different paint and slightly better components. I contemplated taking off the stickers, but I am going to keep them because I know it triggers the hardcore bike snobs (no I am not saying that everyone who hates on the Denali is a bike snob.)
I had a similar problem with a frame I've stripped down. I had to leave the stripper on for a couple of hours, took a metal brush to it, reapplied it to the spots that didn't come off. I am going to feather down the rest of the spots that didn't come off. You could feather the old finish down, and prime over it.
I had a similar problem with a frame I've stripped down. I had to leave the stripper on for a couple of hours, took a metal brush to it, reapplied it to the spots that didn't come off. I am going to feather down the rest of the spots that didn't come off. You could feather the old finish down, and prime over it.
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#34
Rhapsodic Laviathan
I'm not. I have a few other frames at home. A 2007 or so Trek 800 Sport Single Track, 2012 Gary Fisher Katai, 201X Diamondback Drifterą, 90s Fuji TruTemper, 83 Schwinn Probe. The Denali frame is lighter than all of those frames except the DB and Probe... and the Katai is alloy, too.
#35
Rhapsodic Laviathan
Hi. You say that the frame is light, but then you say it is stout, and needs to be sturdy because you are a Clydesdale. [EDIT - So am I, and you could make something better and durable even from a less "sturdy"-looking road bike, or with an older MTB as a base.]
I know a couple of things, and one is that those frames are NOT light. I once did a clean/lube/adjust on one of these, a yellow one that I picked up for free, and the next day I just put it out for free. It took a while, but someone eventually took it. I had it laying down as I didn't want to chance it falling onto the sidewalk and having someone smaller hurt themselves trying to move it. They are shockingly heavy versus anything but a rideshare bike, or a gaspipe + chrome job from the 1950s with a bunch of unnecessary stuff bolted to it.
The other thing I know is that there are so, so many better bikes out there for free or almost free to start with. You will spend less and have a better result. Tell us your preferred Craigslist area and there are dozens of people on this site who can look and pick out a dozen better options, and go through what's worth doing and what's not, and why, and how to do it. That thing is just not worth it- cut your losses.
Hell, you already have 2 better bikes based on your signature, so you know you can get quality stuff for not a lot. Two of the best road bikes I've ever had I got for free and spent on refurb and parts and it's really satisfying.
I know a couple of things, and one is that those frames are NOT light. I once did a clean/lube/adjust on one of these, a yellow one that I picked up for free, and the next day I just put it out for free. It took a while, but someone eventually took it. I had it laying down as I didn't want to chance it falling onto the sidewalk and having someone smaller hurt themselves trying to move it. They are shockingly heavy versus anything but a rideshare bike, or a gaspipe + chrome job from the 1950s with a bunch of unnecessary stuff bolted to it.
The other thing I know is that there are so, so many better bikes out there for free or almost free to start with. You will spend less and have a better result. Tell us your preferred Craigslist area and there are dozens of people on this site who can look and pick out a dozen better options, and go through what's worth doing and what's not, and why, and how to do it. That thing is just not worth it- cut your losses.
Hell, you already have 2 better bikes based on your signature, so you know you can get quality stuff for not a lot. Two of the best road bikes I've ever had I got for free and spent on refurb and parts and it's really satisfying.
#36
Rhapsodic Laviathan
This bike was a beast... I don't care what yall say.
#37
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For those wondering how a Denali (or equivalent) 6061 aluminum frame can weigh so much, it seems likely that the manufacturers of all such bottom-feeder frames simply skip the heat treatment step usually applied to aluminum frames, thus making up for the lack of enhanced strength with sheer mass.
#38
Senior Member
I was just thinking the same thing. Open up the ENVE website and order a fork, handlebars, seatpost, stem, and whatever other carbon pieces they make for that bike. It'll be a lightweight just like that!
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#39
Shawn of the Dead
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Do what you want with your time and money. Make it the best it can be. Post some pics. Eff the haters. I have been on gun forums, BMW M5 forums, Ducati forums and everything in between. The ....ahem....strongest opinions are on bike forums. lol.
Building something out of nothing or taking a beat up old bike and making it better than factory is super fun and rewarding. It seems you know what you want to do with this bike and aren't going to be out much if it doesn't work out. I say go for it. Chances are if you took off the decals and did a good paint job the haters wouldn't even know what you started with !!
Building something out of nothing or taking a beat up old bike and making it better than factory is super fun and rewarding. It seems you know what you want to do with this bike and aren't going to be out much if it doesn't work out. I say go for it. Chances are if you took off the decals and did a good paint job the haters wouldn't even know what you started with !!
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#40
Tragically Ignorant
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Stout definition 2:
physically or materially strong:
a: STURDY, VIGOROUS
b: STAUNCH, ENDURING
c: sturdily constructed : SUBSTANTIAL
#41
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This bike was a beast... I don't care what yall say.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO3Abhvj...dium=copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO3Abhvj...dium=copy_link
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#42
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#43
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My Ducati's .....fabulous beautiful toys !!!
#44
ri alene
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$80?
That thing looks almost brand new!
Since you're stripping it down, you should weigh it. That'd be interesting. I saw on Amazon that a medium sized Denali is listed as weighing 30lbs. Wonder how much of that is the frame.
That thing looks almost brand new!
Since you're stripping it down, you should weigh it. That'd be interesting. I saw on Amazon that a medium sized Denali is listed as weighing 30lbs. Wonder how much of that is the frame.
Last edited by ChamoisDavisJr; 07-07-21 at 01:03 PM.
#45
Zip tie Karen
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- during the bike boom of the 70s, anything below 21 lbs or so was considered light. These were the best bikes. Sew-up tires, quality steel tubing, decent craftsmanship, top components.
- today, with carbon frames and wheelsets, and structural components, as well as top-flight group sets and fairly light clincher options, I'd guess that lightweight would be beneath 17 lbs or so.
For an aluminum framed hybrid with non disc wheels, I'd guess that lightweight might be 24-25 lbs or so.
Others may chime in, but you could start with these numbers and be pretty close.
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#46
Grouchy Old man
Thread Starter
I don't know what the definition of lightweight is. For a road bike, it may be this:
- during the bike boom of the 70s, anything below 21 lbs or so was considered light. These were the best bikes. Sew-up tires, quality steel tubing, decent craftsmanship, top components.
- today, with carbon frames and wheelsets, and structural components, as well as top-flight group sets and fairly light clincher options, I'd guess that lightweight would be beneath 17 lbs or so.
For an aluminum framed hybrid with non disc wheels, I'd guess that lightweight might be 24-25 lbs or so.
Others may chime in, but you could start with these numbers and be pretty close.
- during the bike boom of the 70s, anything below 21 lbs or so was considered light. These were the best bikes. Sew-up tires, quality steel tubing, decent craftsmanship, top components.
- today, with carbon frames and wheelsets, and structural components, as well as top-flight group sets and fairly light clincher options, I'd guess that lightweight would be beneath 17 lbs or so.
For an aluminum framed hybrid with non disc wheels, I'd guess that lightweight might be 24-25 lbs or so.
Others may chime in, but you could start with these numbers and be pretty close.
#47
Grouchy Old man
Thread Starter
The previous owner hardly rode it. He got it so he could have a bike to ride with his, but they lost interest in bike riding, and he was looking to get rid of it. The stock components are heavy, along with the steel cranks, steel handlebars, steel fork and wheels make it heavy.
#48
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The GMC Denali was actually a very desireable upscale trim for the GMC trucks, that at one point had AWD , 4wheel steering (which worked well!), and a plastic truck bed (which also worked well)
What on earth possessed GM to license this name brand to a bottom of the barrel ***Mart store bike?
What on earth possessed GM to license this name brand to a bottom of the barrel ***Mart store bike?
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#49
ri alene
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This bike was a beast... I don't care what yall say.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO3Abhvj...dium=copy_link
https://www.instagram.com/p/BO3Abhvj...dium=copy_link
#50
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The GMC Denali was actually a very desireable upscale trim for the GMC trucks, that at one point had AWD , 4wheel steering (which worked well!), and a plastic truck bed (which also worked well)
What on earth possessed GM to license this name brand to a bottom of the barrel ***Mart store bike?
What on earth possessed GM to license this name brand to a bottom of the barrel ***Mart store bike?