Project Denali...aka pimp this turd
07-09-21, 08:12 PM
#51
Rhapsodic Laviathan
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?
Last edited by Jax Rhapsody; 07-09-21 at 08:23 PM.
07-09-21, 08:21 PM
#52
Rhapsodic Laviathan
it was a lot lighter than original. It was lighter by a pound or two than a 1990 Schwinn Worldsport by our ultra scientific testing of picking both bikes up at the co-op. Maybe not 14lbs, but it's lighter than whatever that World Sport weighed.
07-14-21, 04:01 PM
#53
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I think the OP should go for it. Its fun to build up stuff from misc. parts.
My Denali was a garage sale parts bike that I used to make into a singlespeed/fixie. A friend had given an SS/FG wheelset of unknown origin but seemed to be of decent quality. My ride has a 38 x 17 drivetrain with a 1/8 chain and a half link I had to use to make it work. I used parts I had plus some stuff from Amazon. So far its been good and no trouble. I had to keep the iron crankset and chainring for cost reasons. I'll upgrade soon as I find a used alloy road crank. Current the weight is 24lbs. The aluminum frame makes for a rough ride so I've got a padded saddle on it. Its rolling on 28m Continental Ride Tour tires. So far I haven't tried it as a fixie. I'll post a pic when I can.
My Denali was a garage sale parts bike that I used to make into a singlespeed/fixie. A friend had given an SS/FG wheelset of unknown origin but seemed to be of decent quality. My ride has a 38 x 17 drivetrain with a 1/8 chain and a half link I had to use to make it work. I used parts I had plus some stuff from Amazon. So far its been good and no trouble. I had to keep the iron crankset and chainring for cost reasons. I'll upgrade soon as I find a used alloy road crank. Current the weight is 24lbs. The aluminum frame makes for a rough ride so I've got a padded saddle on it. Its rolling on 28m Continental Ride Tour tires. So far I haven't tried it as a fixie. I'll post a pic when I can.
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07-15-21, 07:16 AM
#54
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Not really. If he just wants a beater bike that he doesn't care too much if it gets torn up, then it's worth it to fix it up a little. I did the same with an old Roadmaster mountain bike which I use on gravel. It was given to me so I didn't feel too bad putting just a little money into it to have a bike I can abuse on gravel.
07-15-21, 02:02 PM
#55
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Here it is, my much maligned and hated upon Denali. Its not quite complete because I'm upgrading the calipers. I don't have a pair of cable cutters that won't ruin the cable.
Open
Open
07-16-21, 10:02 AM
#57
Zip tie Karen
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Of course, the word denali predates the motor vehicle, and it's common use stems from its association with the National Park that bears its name, as well as a mountain recently re-named. The word origin is aboriginal indian, meaning (loosely) "mountain-big".
07-16-21, 12:57 PM
#58
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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
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
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ha.
I want your scale for home use. Itll make me feel better every time I step on it. Immediate 15 pound weigh reduction from reality!
07-16-21, 02:02 PM
#59
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I'm curious as to how this turns out. I've seen Denali's on CL and always wondered what it would be like converting over to decent components.
I did something similar with my DSG Nishiki Maricopa. I bought it new and over time, upgraded it.Starting weight was around 24 lbs. Finishing weight is just under 19 lbs. Be interesting to see something similar with the Denali
I did something similar with my DSG Nishiki Maricopa. I bought it new and over time, upgraded it.Starting weight was around 24 lbs. Finishing weight is just under 19 lbs. Be interesting to see something similar with the Denali
07-16-21, 03:30 PM
#60
Senior Member
I'm hoping that you are attempting droll humor here ^.
Of course, the word denali predates the motor vehicle, and it's common use stems from its association with the National Park that bears its name, as well as a mountain recently re-named. The word origin is aboriginal indian, meaning (loosely) "mountain-big".
Of course, the word denali predates the motor vehicle, and it's common use stems from its association with the National Park that bears its name, as well as a mountain recently re-named. The word origin is aboriginal indian, meaning (loosely) "mountain-big".
I'm not sure how the licensing agreement came about - Was Kent so enamored of the Denali name that they sought GM's blessing (and paid royalties to GM)? Really strange.
07-18-21, 09:05 AM
#62
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It’s literally what makes people NOTICE & REMEMBER it, to the extent that they decide it must be worth picking up and improving (as opposed to starting with a similarly inexpensive but better project frame).
07-18-21, 10:41 AM
#63
Grouchy Old man
Thread Starter
Just a quick update. Phase I of project Denali is complete. I opted to go with flat bars instead of drop bars. I was going to use a hollow tech bottom bracket and cranks, but that didn't work out, because the biggest ring was warped and the non drive side pedal had a stripped screw (never trust Amazon warehouse deals.) I cannibalized a bike frame I wasn't feeling too keen on and use some of the parts for that, to complete the build.
Phase II will involve getting a lighter fork, and going to a threadless headset. Phase 2.5 will be the upgrade to a hollowtech style BB and cranks. Phase III might going to a 1x with a wide range 8 or 9 speed cassette.
Phase II will involve getting a lighter fork, and going to a threadless headset. Phase 2.5 will be the upgrade to a hollowtech style BB and cranks. Phase III might going to a 1x with a wide range 8 or 9 speed cassette.
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07-18-21, 02:10 PM
#64
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Here's the Blog section thread for folks who want to follow along. https://www.bikeforums.net/blogger-s...2142933:thumb:
07-18-21, 04:28 PM
#65
Rhapsodic Laviathan
Just a quick update. Phase I of project Denali is complete. I opted to go with flat bars instead of drop bars. I was going to use a hollow tech bottom bracket and cranks, but that didn't work out, because the biggest ring was warped and the non drive side pedal had a stripped screw (never trust Amazon warehouse deals.) I cannibalized a bike frame I wasn't feeling too keen on and use some of the parts for that, to complete the build.
Phase II will involve getting a lighter fork, and going to a threadless headset. Phase 2.5 will be the upgrade to a hollowtech style BB and cranks. Phase III might going to a 1x with a wide range 8 or 9 speed cassette.
Phase II will involve getting a lighter fork, and going to a threadless headset. Phase 2.5 will be the upgrade to a hollowtech style BB and cranks. Phase III might going to a 1x with a wide range 8 or 9 speed cassette.
07-18-21, 04:33 PM
#66
Rhapsodic Laviathan
14 pounds?
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
ha.
I want your scale for home use. Itll make me feel better every time I step on it. Immediate 15 pound weigh reduction from reality!
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha
ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha.
ha.
I want your scale for home use. Itll make me feel better every time I step on it. Immediate 15 pound weigh reduction from reality!
07-18-21, 06:39 PM
#67
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Just a quick update. Phase I of project Denali is complete. I opted to go with flat bars instead of drop bars. I was going to use a hollow tech bottom bracket and cranks, but that didn't work out, because the biggest ring was warped and the non drive side pedal had a stripped screw (never trust Amazon warehouse deals.) I cannibalized a bike frame I wasn't feeling too keen on and use some of the parts for that, to complete the build.
Phase II will involve getting a lighter fork, and going to a threadless headset. Phase 2.5 will be the upgrade to a hollowtech style BB and cranks. Phase III might going to a 1x with a wide range 8 or 9 speed cassette.
Phase II will involve getting a lighter fork, and going to a threadless headset. Phase 2.5 will be the upgrade to a hollowtech style BB and cranks. Phase III might going to a 1x with a wide range 8 or 9 speed cassette.
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07-18-21, 06:59 PM
#68
Grouchy Old man
Thread Starter
07-19-21, 05:24 AM
#69
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07-19-21, 05:23 PM
#70
Rhapsodic Laviathan
