GMC Topkick Dual Suspension Mountain Bike
Product Description
The GMC Topkick 21-Speed Mountain Bike features a full-suspension, strong aluminum frame that utilizes a floating beam suspension design that is mated to a Zoom suspension fork with elastomer/spring technology. The Topkick's drivetrain starts with Microshift push shifters. These shifters control Shimano's tried and true TZ-30GS derailleur. The drivetrain finishes up with a strong aluminum wheelset featuring V-shape rim profile and high-flange alloy hubs. Stopping is handled by Promax disk brakes on the front and rear. These brakes are vastly superior to rim brakes, especially under adverse road conditions. True to it's GMC roots, this bicycle is rugged, good looking, and built for the long haul.
CUSTOMER REVIEW
I purchased this bike in February of 2009. I was looking for something to improve my cardio health but wasn't sure that I would really enjoy biking. After seeing numerous ads in the online classifieds of nearly new $1000 to $2000 bikes being sold for substantial discounts after being ridden for only a few miles, I decided to err towards caution in my initial purchase. I was hoping that by purchasing a mid priced bike I should get a reasonable quality components and not be deterred by a low quality bike. Assembly was basic requiring me to attach the front wheel, handlebar, pedals and seat. Everything else was preassembled. Pretty simple really. Inflate the tires and in 45 minutes it was ready to ride.
I am 58 and live in the mountains in the Pacific Northwest so I was looking for a full suspension bike, mostly to ease the shocks and jolts from riding on bumpy chip sealed roads. Since I was looking for a bike for exercise, weight of the bike was not a huge factor to me.
Having not owned a bike since my 20s, I was unfamiliar with the improvements in cycling. The 21 speeds seemed a bit of overkill to me at first, but now I find it well worth having in the rolling hills in my area. The push button indexed shifters were a real treat to me and easy to learn. The rear derailleur shifted extremely smoothly with no jumps clicks or clatters especially in the upshift. It simply changed ratio and I could feel a little extra resistance in the pedals as I gained speed. The front derailleur is a little less sophisticated but it works adequately. The disk brakes are a good idea in the wet region I live because they are far less likely to lose effectiveness due to getting wet. I remember rim brakes that would become almost ineffectual after riding through a large puddle. My only complaint would be the squealing noise they make at the end of a stop.
On flat roads the gearing is adequate to allow me to pedal along at 22+ mph until my legs tire, but it isn't designed to be a race bike. I have climbed some rather challenging but short hills (total of about 400' gain over a mile and a quarter) and pedaling like mad, I can climb a 12% short grade at 4.8 mph. The bike is heavy, approximately 37 pounds so it makes the hills a little more challenging. Over varied terrain on paved roads I can routinely average around 14 mph. Going down the above series of grades I have coasted up to 38 mph.
The only things I have found to be problematic are that as the bike breaks in, the cables stretch a little so the shifters need to be adjusted after a 100 or so miles. (Common on all bikes) The inner tube in the rear wheel failed at about 130 miles when the joint around the valve gave out while I was off the bike taking a photo. That brings me to a second problem, the tubes. Because of the deep V rims (which makes them stronger) they require a long schrader valve tube. Department stores carry the standard size but not the 48mm valved tubed this bike requires. I would recommend that anyone buying this bike order a couple of 26 x 1.9/2.125 48mm valved tubes at the same time.
The bike is fun to ride and so far, after over 700 miles, it seems very durable. The only problems were the aforementioned inner tube and derailleur adjustments. The seat isn't the best either, but unless you ride more than 30 minutes at a time it will do. The only changes I have done is to replace the saddle with a male gel saddle (I sometimes ride for two hours or more at a time), added a couple of lights for safety, a bike computer, a clamp to the seat post carrier rack (a cheap and effective dual purpose rear fender), and replaced the knobby off road tires with a smoother tire designed for pavement for lower rolling resistance.
Overall I am very pleased with the bike. The bike is good quality especially for the price. I have recently been test riding some higher end bikes and the only difference is that they are are significantly lighter and significantly more expensive. I would have no problem recommending the bike to anyone.
CUSTOMER REVIEW
I purchased this bike in February of 2009. I was looking for something to improve my cardio health but wasn't sure that I would really enjoy biking. After seeing numerous ads in the online classifieds of nearly new $1000 to $2000 bikes being sold for substantial discounts after being ridden for only a few miles, I decided to err towards caution in my initial purchase. I was hoping that by purchasing a mid priced bike I should get a reasonable quality components and not be deterred by a low quality bike. Assembly was basic requiring me to attach the front wheel, handlebar, pedals and seat. Everything else was preassembled. Pretty simple really. Inflate the tires and in 45 minutes it was ready to ride.
I am 58 and live in the mountains in the Pacific Northwest so I was looking for a full suspension bike, mostly to ease the shocks and jolts from riding on bumpy chip sealed roads. Since I was looking for a bike for exercise, weight of the bike was not a huge factor to me.
Having not owned a bike since my 20s, I was unfamiliar with the improvements in cycling. The 21 speeds seemed a bit of overkill to me at first, but now I find it well worth having in the rolling hills in my area. The push button indexed shifters were a real treat to me and easy to learn. The rear derailleur shifted extremely smoothly with no jumps clicks or clatters especially in the upshift. It simply changed ratio and I could feel a little extra resistance in the pedals as I gained speed. The front derailleur is a little less sophisticated but it works adequately. The disk brakes are a good idea in the wet region I live because they are far less likely to lose effectiveness due to getting wet. I remember rim brakes that would become almost ineffectual after riding through a large puddle. My only complaint would be the squealing noise they make at the end of a stop.
On flat roads the gearing is adequate to allow me to pedal along at 22+ mph until my legs tire, but it isn't designed to be a race bike. I have climbed some rather challenging but short hills (total of about 400' gain over a mile and a quarter) and pedaling like mad, I can climb a 12% short grade at 4.8 mph. The bike is heavy, approximately 37 pounds so it makes the hills a little more challenging. Over varied terrain on paved roads I can routinely average around 14 mph. Going down the above series of grades I have coasted up to 38 mph.
The only things I have found to be problematic are that as the bike breaks in, the cables stretch a little so the shifters need to be adjusted after a 100 or so miles. (Common on all bikes) The inner tube in the rear wheel failed at about 130 miles when the joint around the valve gave out while I was off the bike taking a photo. That brings me to a second problem, the tubes. Because of the deep V rims (which makes them stronger) they require a long schrader valve tube. Department stores carry the standard size but not the 48mm valved tubed this bike requires. I would recommend that anyone buying this bike order a couple of 26 x 1.9/2.125 48mm valved tubes at the same time.
The bike is fun to ride and so far, after over 700 miles, it seems very durable. The only problems were the aforementioned inner tube and derailleur adjustments. The seat isn't the best either, but unless you ride more than 30 minutes at a time it will do. The only changes I have done is to replace the saddle with a male gel saddle (I sometimes ride for two hours or more at a time), added a couple of lights for safety, a bike computer, a clamp to the seat post carrier rack (a cheap and effective dual purpose rear fender), and replaced the knobby off road tires with a smoother tire designed for pavement for lower rolling resistance.
Overall I am very pleased with the bike. The bike is good quality especially for the price. I have recently been test riding some higher end bikes and the only difference is that they are are significantly lighter and significantly more expensive. I would have no problem recommending the bike to anyone.
0 comments:
Post a Comment