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GMC Topkick Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike

GMC Topkick Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike

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Brand: GMC

List Price: $299.99
Buy New: $293.79
You Save: $6.20 (2%)



Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars 25 reviews
Sales Rank: 21647

Color: Black
Batteries Included: No
Clothing Size: 26"
Size: 26"
Shipping Weight (lbs): 44.4
Dimensions (in): 52 x 27 x 7.5

Model: 72670
UPC: 016751726700
EAN: 0016751726700
ASIN: B000BT4W2C

Availability: In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served.

Features:
  • 21-speed mountain bike features a full-suspension, strong aluminum frame
  • Floating beam suspension design is mated to a Zoom suspension fork with elastomer/spring technology
  • Microshift push shifters and Shimano TZ-30GS derailleur
  • Strong aluminum wheelset featuring V-shape rim profile and high-flange alloy hubs
  • Front and rear Promax disk brakes work great, even in adverse conditions

Accessories:

  • Bell Radar Bicycle Helmet
  • Blackburn Toolmanator Multi-Function Bike Tool
  • Kent "The Bike Club" Ultra Bike Lock
  • Kent USA Bike Helmet (Red/Black)
  • Kent X-Factor Deluxe Composite Floor Bike Pump

Similar Items:

  • Blackburn Mountain Air Mountain Bike Pump
  • Blackburn Quadrant and Mars 3.0 Combo Bicycle Light Set
  • Bell StowAway Bicycle Seat Bag
  • Topeak Modula Cage Waterbottle Cage
  • Bell Hands Off Bike U-Lock

Editorial Reviews:

Amazon.com 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.

GMC Topkick Mountain Bike Specifications

  • Frame: 26-inch full suspension aluminum MTB frame
  • Fork: Zoom CH-386 suspension fork 65mm travel
  • Shocks: Kind Shock adjustable 650 pounds
  • Chain: KMC Z 51
  • Crankset: Alloy ISA 335P 28x38x48 L170mm
  • Front Derailleur: Falcon MF 31 T
  • Rear Derailleur: Shimano RD-TZ30GS SIS 7SPD
  • Shifters: Microshift TS-50 ADII index L3/R7
  • Brake Levers: GP 30 AP aluminum
  • Brakes: LCHI DSK-320 disk brake 160mm
  • Rims: Alloy black 26-inch X1.5
  • Tires: Kenda black with yellow band 700X25C
  • Stem: A-head TDS63K-8 EXT:100mm 15D
  • Handlebar: HL-MTB 153 W: 600mm R:30mm
  • Sadle: Velo black padded
  • Seat Post: Alloy micro adjust 27.2 X 300mm with quick-release

Amazon.com Bicycle Buying Guide
Finding the Right Bike
To really enjoy cycling, it's important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're in the market for a new bike:

The Right Ride
In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:

  • Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
  • Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
  • Comfort/Cruiser Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.

The Right Price
A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability.

  • Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
  • Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the "sweet spot." Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
  • High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultra-lightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.

The Right Size
Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:

  • Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
  • Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike's posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
  • Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.

The Right Accessories
When you make a bike purchase, don't forget these crucial add-ons:

  • Helmet (this is a must!)
  • Seat pack
  • Lock
  • Hydration pack, or water bottles and bottle cages
  • Spare tubes
  • Portable bike pump
  • Gloves



Product Description
Shimano 21-speed index gearing; Dual suspension with 4 bar linkage system; Suspension fork with 90mm travel


Customer Reviews:   Read 20 more reviews...

5 out of 5 stars Great bike for most users   July 17, 2008
Manzoor Akim (New York, NY)
I purchased this bike because the price was great and it came with dual suspension and front/rear disc brakes. The only problem with the bike is that beginner tuners will have a hard time getting the brakes right as well as the gearing. I paid a shop to get it all right for me, the bike works perfect now.

I've taken this bike on long distances on and off road, down the stairs, up hills. I rode this bike from Long Island to Manhattan with no problems, it's pretty light as well. This bike is the best bang for the buck. It's not no professional bike but it gets the job done.

The only other problem with the bike is when your adding serious torque, the bike tends to flex in a way that the front derailleur kind of touches the chain. It's a tiny problem and can be easily overlooked. Also, GMC (or whoever made it) tends to keep the price resonable by adding outdated parts, like the shifter, etc.....that's not a problem for me. New things always cost lots of $$$.

My cousin purchased a bike shop recommended bicycle for almost $300 (front suspension only, and V type brakes), I payed $229 for my topkick. Apparently this recommended bike is supposed to be better than the GMC topkick. Turns out that the GMC topkick is lighter than this recommended bike and rides smoother.

Once again, I recommended this bike for everyone. Just remember to spend the extra $$$ to get a shop to tune it for you.



4 out of 5 stars Excellent choice for the price   July 9, 2008
Dimitrios Antos (Cambridge, MA USA)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

I've had the GMC Topkick for almost a month now, during which I have been using it daily (home-work); it has also been put to the test on a biking trail in a nearby state park.

First of all, let me say this: the topkick is a beautiful bike. So if fancy looks is the number one factor for you, stop reading and just buy it. It looks rugged, serious, sporty but with a certain "class." Secondly, the bike is indeed amply endowed with disk brakes and full suspension, things one can find only in high-end models costing over $1,500.

On the negative side, this is a heavy bike (did you think they simply "forgot" to mention its weight?). It does not compare to truly lightweight mountain bikes and, although for daily in-city use this is indeed minor, on the trail it can be problematic and make your life quite harder. This is not to say that the bike is unbearably heavy---it still is much lighter than any of my older bikes. Also, the bike comes with no "direct" assembly instructions. However, there are two manuals which more-or-less contain all the necessary instructions scattered among various chapters (e.g., in the how-to-change-a-tire chapter, how-to-install-the-brake chapter, etc.). I do not really consider myself a technically savvy person but I found a way to assemble it by peeking at these (somehow overly technical) instructions within 2 hours, so I guess it's not impossible.

As far as the quality of the different parts (brakes, shifting, etc.) is concerned, I am not sure I can express an opinion, as I am no expert. Time will tell; so far so good though. In general I consider my purchase a good one: the bike looks great, does the job and will give you a fun, comfortable ride everywhere. It is not a substitute for a $2,000 bike, but it was never meant to be.



4 out of 5 stars Great Value...Worth the Money!   June 26, 2008
Ed P. Owens (Prescott Valley, Arizona)
1 out of 1 found this review helpful

GMC Topkick Dual-Suspension Mountain Bike
Amazon came through again with the best price on the web. It was such a good deal that I bought two! With no sales tax and free two day "Prime" shipping, I figure that I saved $200 over store retail for the pair. Packing was about as good as one would expect. There were a couple of small nicks to the frame but a black Sharpie fixed them to where one does not notice. Other than that there was no damage. As other buyers have stated it is a tad heavy (38 lbs?), but that is a testament to its solid construction. The rims are somewhat narrow but I plan to ride more for pleasure than sport. For those two reasons I rated this bike a four out of five stars. If the manufacturer could change those two features it would be a solid five star mountain bike. I am 6'3" and the frame fits me fine when straddled (it measure 31" at the upper cross bar). I would have liked a higher handlebar height but I can live with it...Thank goodness I have long arms!

I looked at a lot of bikes before making a final decision...All were considerably more expensive with the same basic features. If you plan to ride aggressive this may not be the bike for you...But for street and light off roading it is a real bargin at $229.95.



4 out of 5 stars Good bike for the money   June 26, 2008
T. Sang (San Francisco)
3 out of 4 found this review helpful

Let's put it this way: If you don't know how to tune derailleurs and brakes, you'd better learn it now or shell out your dough for others to tune. Chances are, you probably need to tune everything. The bike is very easy to put together. I am a total newbie and it only took me 1.5 hour. However, it took me about a week to finally tune the front/rear derailleurs and disc brake. Of course, I am a newbie and I am learning and tuning at the same time. It can get frustrating and you might not interested in going through the pain. However, when it's all said and done, I have learn and understood and comfortable in bike tuning. For those of you who does not want to DIY, get it to a bike shop. Certainly, if you are very familiar with tuning, usually it can be done in 1-2 hours.

With that said, the quality of the bike is acceptable. The disc brake is functional and brake nicely. The rear derailleur is good quality shimano part and easy to tune. The front derailleur is kinda cheap and flimsy and I had a hard to tune it properly. The shifting, in general, louder than average and not very smooth. With tuning, I eliminated under shift, gear skipping, hesitation, and some cage rubbing. I even have to lube the derailleur to make the spring return mechanism work properly.

The brake cable could use some lubrication. To top these all off, the bike is about 40-50lbs and it is heavy. I weight 150+lb and this thing is almost 1/3 of me. However, the beefy weight does come with a benefit: The aluminum frame is very sturdy and strong. It will last a long time with proper maintenance. However, with that weight, I would not recommend taking it to the "mountain" perform stunt and get crazy. I will stick to the pavement.

The suspension fork is functional and good. The rear suspension is very stiff and I don't feel it smooths out the ride that much. I am trying to save $$ here and quite frankly, I get what I paid for. This bike is not really good, but not bad at all. If you just need a bike to get around town and not into the whole mountain thing and don't mind the weight. By all mean, GET IT. I give it 3-4 STARS.



4 out of 5 stars good bike for the price   June 12, 2008
W. larson (sidney, mt)
This bike seems to be a pretty good buy. The only complaint that i have about it is that i bought it for my father who is very tall and the handle bars are very low and are not adjustable however i did find a handle bar stem riser made by delta along with a delta hi rise stem which raised the handle bars up perfectly and the cables were all long enough so i didn't have to replace those either. It came with just minor assembly required and I only had to make minor adjustments to the brake cables. I read a couple of the other reviews that had said their were scratches on the frame from shipping when they recieved them mine also had a couple of pretty good scratches on the frame too they could definately package it a little better. The fact that i had to buy extra parts to raise the handle bars and the scratches it recieved in shipping are the only two reasons i gave it a 4 star rating instead of a 5. My dad loves it now that the handle bars are higher and rides it every day. I would recommend this bike to anyone who wants an above department store level mountain bike but doesn't really want to or need to pay the big $$$$ for an overpriced specialty store bike.


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