Mercedes-Benz's 'Trailblazer' Mountain Bike

In May of this year, Mercedes-Benz launched their 2008 Trailblazer Mountain Bike. The Trailblazer comes with a patented Mercedes-Benz four-link MTB rear suspension and is available in two models: the 'Sport Edition' and the 'Comfort Edition'. The Trailblazer's frame is made from 7005 Aluminium.

The 'Sport Edition' is painted in anthracite grey (see photo) and is designed for men, with frame sizes (S) 47 cm, (M) 50 cm and (L) 53 cm. The 'Comfort Edition' is painted white and the frame's design is specially engineered for women, with frame sizes of (S) 45 cm and (M) 48 cm. The Trailblazer Mountain Bike is the combined design work of ADP Engineering GmbH, Mercedes-Benz Design Center in Sindelfingen, Germany and Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH. ADP Engineering is also the manufacturer of the frame, the handlebars, the stem and the seat post.

The rear suspension on the Mercedes-Benz Trailblazer Mountain Bike has an adjustable Rock Shox Monarch 3.1 rear shock absorber that allows the cyclist to modify the bike's 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 adjustable. The front suspension can also be locked-off to suit a rider's needs.

For braking, Mercedes-Benz has equipped the Trailblazer with Avid Juicy 5 hydraulic disc brakes with 185 mm rotors front and rear. The gear shifters are SRAM X.7 Trigger, and the front and rear derailleurs are SRAM X.9. The spokes are by DT SWISS and the rims are also by DT SWISS (X430). For the contact patch, Mercedes-Benz has specified Continental's 26x2.2 Mountain King tires.

Mercedes-Benz's Trailblazer is priced in Germany at 2790 Euros (incl. VAT).