The Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH Bike Collection 2006

Posted by www.eMercedesBenz.com on April 4, 2006 
Looking for the perfect way to spice up your dull 40 minute-a-day  
aerobic workout?  If you're tired of that boring old treadmill/ 
stationary bike/elliptical machine, Mercedes-Accessories GmbH is here  
to help.   They've just released details of their 2006 bike  
collection, offering Mercedes owners (and non-owners) the perfect  
pedal-powered mode of transport no matter what your fitness level.

For the hardcore road bike enthusiast, the highlight of the  
collection will undoubtedly be the carbon fiber road bike. Weighing  
in at 8.3 kilograms and equipped with Shimano Dura Ace components,  
the carbon fiber road bike is perfect for the avid road biking  
enthusiasts among you. Production is limited to 199 units, with  
pricing set at EUR 2990.

For those that like to take things at a more leisurely pace, Mercedes  
Accessories is offering customers the Automatic Bike.  Fitted with a  
Shimano Cyber-Nexus automatic shifting unit, a sensor controlled  
lighting system, and an onboard computer that monitors pedal cadence,  
speed, and gear ratios, the Automatic Bike is a prime candidate for  
those who enjoy leisurely bike rides in between rounds of golf and  
bingo.  Pricing for the Automatic Bike is set at EUR 1690 for the  
basic version (no luggage racks or lighting system), while the fully  
loaded version weighs in at EUR 1890.

Next up are the Mercedes fitness bikes, available in either "Comfort"  
or "Sport" editions. Highlights of the fitness bikes include Shimano  
Deore components, aluminum rims and an elegantly shaped aluminum  
frame.  As for the difference between Comfort and Sport editions, the  
only variation between the two are the bikes' frame geometry.   
Pricing for the fitness bikes is set at EUR 1290 for either model.

And finally, for those who don't mind getting a little dirty,  
Mercedes Accessories offers the mountain bike. Featuring a robust  
full suspension aluminum Y-frame, Shimano Deore LX components and  
hydraulically actuated disc brakes, you and your Mercedes mountain  
bike will be conquering the of trails of Kanchenjunga in no time.  
Pricing for the Mercedes mountain bike is set at EUR 1790.

If you're interested in purchasing any of the afore-mentioned bikes,  
you can get more info in the press release below. Pricing above  
applies only to the German market and includes VAT; no word yet on  
the bikes' availability in other countries.

You can view pictures of the Mercedes-Benz Bike Collection 2006 by  
visiting www.eMercedesBenz.com as well as the full press release  
immediately below.



OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH presents the Bike Collection 2006: The  
first carbon racing bike with an MB star

Stuttgart, Apr 04, 2006
High-tech and lightweight construction akin to that of the Mercedes- 
Benz SLR McLaren super sports car: the new Carbon Bike is the  
highlight of the 2006 Bike Collection from Mercedes-Benz Accessories  
GmbH. Thanks to its ultra-lightweight carbon-fibre frame, this  
thoroughbred weighs in at a mere 8.3 kilograms. The rest of the 2- 
wheeled range makes a more striking impression than ever before.  
Substantially lighter and with two equipment variants, the Automatic  
Bike swings elegantly into the 2006 model year. The elegant Fitness  
Bikes and the full-suspension Mountain Bike round off the range.
The new Carbon Bike is the highlight of the 2006 Bike Collection.  
Systematic use of lightweight construction techniques and its  
exclusive high-end equipment make this bike, the first racer produced  
by Mercedes-Benz, an attractive proposition for both ambitious  
amateurs and experienced professional racing cyclists. The  
centrepiece of this racer is an innovative monocoque frame made of  
carbon fibre.

The use of carbon fibre has a prestigious heritage for Mercedes-Benz,  
including the titans of Formula 1 and the Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren,  
the world’s first production car with a bodyshell made entirely of  
carbon fibre. Carbon is an exclusive material which delivers two  
principal benefits: extreme stability and incredibly light weight.  
With a frame height of 58 centimetres, this racing bike weighs just  
8.3 kilograms (without pedals).

The equipment on this bike is equally impressive, featuring high-end  
components from Shimano, the renowned Japanese equipment supplier:  
the drive system, gears and brakes are all sourced from Shimano’s  
“Dura-Ace” series and are considered to be some of the finest racing  
bike components on the market today. A particular safety feature is  
the way the shift levers are integrated into the ergo-nomically  
shaped brake handles. This means that the rider is always ready to  
brake, even while changing gear. The Shimano Type WHR 550 wheels are  
shod with Michelin tyres and exhibit excellent aerodynamics. The  
unusually low number of spokes (16 at the front and 20 at the back)  
cuts undesirable turbulence down to a minimum. This reduction in wind  
resistance in turn enhances ride dynamics.

The design concept emphasises the proud temperament of this  
thoroughbred racing machine. The cork cladding on the handlebars and  
the slim red stripes around the tyres contrast with the dark carbon  
and exclusive black painted metals of the frame. Aluminium and  
polished steel set refined counterpoints in the materials mix. The  
Carbon Bike will only be produced as a limited edition of 199 units.  
A plate bearing the production number will be attached to the seat  
tube on every Carbon Bike, testifying to the strictly limited number  
in existence. This high-tech racing bike will command a price of € 2990.

Safe and comfortable: the Automatic Bike

The comfortable Automatic Bike goes into its second model year imbued  
with a more sporty design and a technical upgrade. The most important  
innovation is that this bike now weighs four kilograms less than last  
year’s model. With its Shimano eight-speed “Cyber-Nexus” automatic  
shift unit and a sensor-controlled lighting system, this bike is able  
to automatically adapt to prevailing road conditions. The on-board  
computer located centrally on the handlebar crosspiece keeps the  
driver abreast of all the latest data, such as prevailing roadspeed  
or selected gear ratio. The computer assimilates ride parameters such  
as pedalling frequency and road speed, then automatically selects the  
most appropriate gear ratio. The rider can also intervene in this  
automatic mode manually using shift toggles on the handlebars.

Another feature ensuring safety and convenience is the intelligent  
lighting system. Front and rear lights are switched on and off  
automatically by a sensor-based system and also remain on when the  
bike is stationary. The rear light also flashes at low speeds. The  
Mercedes-Benz Automatic Bike is available with frame heights of 46  
and 54 centimetres and comes in two versions: the basic version  
without lighting and luggage rack systems, costing € 1690, and the  
fully-loaded version, costing € 1890.

Exciting design: the classic Mercedes-Benz Fitness Bikes

The Sport Edition and Comfort Edition of these Fitness Bikes make a  
style statement with their striking designs. The most eye-catching  
feature is the inwards curve described by the lower tubes on the  
aluminium frame, emphasising the elegant and sporty character of  
these bikes. High-quality aluminium rims combined with black spokes  
and rims underscore their striking dynamic poise. The bikes are  
equipped with Shimano Deore components, just as much at home on a  
daily journey into the city as they are on extended cycle tours. The  
two models only differ in terms of their frame geometry. They share  
the same price of € 1290 and the same equipment. The Sport Edition of  
the Fitness Bike is available in frame sizes of 48 or 56 centimetres  
while the Comfort Edition comes in frame sizes of either 42 or 50  
centimetres.

For cycling pleasure on and off the road: the Mountain Bike

The Mercedes-Benz Mountain Bike is a robust full-suspension bike  
(spring fork plus pneumatic shock absorber) capable of meeting any  
challenge. The newly developed design of the aluminium Y-frame  
describes a clear line and underscores the powerful dynamic  
properties of this robust bike. The bike is equipped with Shimano  
Deore LX technology and a dual-control shift unit. The hydraulically  
actuated disc brakes deliver optimum deceleration under any  
conditions. The Mountain Bike is available in frame heights of 44, 49  
or 54 centimetres. The price of this exclusive bike is € 1790.

Exclusive bike accessories and special carrier systems

For customers wishing even more by way of individual features,  
Mercedes-Benz Accessories GmbH can offer an extensive range of  
accessories. New additions to the range include a compact toolbag and  
two high-quality aluminium air pumps, one being a handy mini-pump and  
the other being a powerful standard model equipped with a carbon  
pressure gauge. Other items in the range include side-stands, luggage  
racks, drinking bottles, bike and fitness computers and a high- 
pressure pump. The made-to-measure bike carrier systems for vehicle  
roof, tailgate and interior suit the majority of model series of  
Mercedes-Benz cars and round off the comprehensive range of accessories.

All products in this Bike Collection can be obtained from Mercedes- 
Benz retailers. They go on sale in Germany in April 2006. All prices  
quoted are recommended retail prices, including VAT, and apply to the  
German market.

For more Mercedes-Benz news and information, visit  
www.eMercedesBenz.com.