Mercedes-Benz's Mountain Bike

While Mercedes-Benz is more conventionally associated with luxury cars, they are also positioning themselves as a brand in the high-end bicycle market. Next month in May, they will launch the 2008 Mercedes-Benz Trailblazer Mountain Bike. The Trailblazer has a patented four-link rear suspension and comes in a 'Sport Edition' and 'Comfort Edition' model.

The Comfort Edition comes in white colour and is specially engineered for women, with frame sizes of (S) 45 cm and (M) 48 cm. The Sport Edition is painted in anthracite grey colour and is designed for men with frame sizes of (S) 47 cm, (M) 50 cm and (L) 53 cm. The aluminium frame, the handlebars, the stem and the saddle post are manufactured by ADP Engineering GmbH, who have also been partners on the bike's design with the Mercedes-Benz Design Center in Sindelfingen, Germany and Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH.

The rear suspension on the Mercedes-Benz Trailblazer Mountain Bike has an adjustable air chamber allowing for the cyclist to modify the suspension stiffness and rebound to their own riding style. Daimler compares this to the AIRMATIC suspension on the Mercedes-Benz S-Class. The front suspension is a Rock Shox Recon 335 suspension fork with 120 mm of travel, whose suspension damping is adjutable. The front suspension can also be locked-off to suit a rider's needs. Mercedes-Benz has equipped the Trailblazer with Avid Juicy 5 disc brakes front and rear with 185 mm rotors. The shift and drive components are manufactured by SRAM and the wheels and spokes are made by DT SWISS.

Mercedes-Benz has indicated that the Trailblazer will be priced in Germany at 2790 Euros (incl. VAT).