Columbia Trailhead Disc Men's Mountain Bike

by Columbia

Product Features

• Tough, lightweight mountain bike with front suspension
• Aluminum disc brakes for nimble, reliable stopping
• Sram shifter and Shimano rear derailleur
• RST suspension fork with 100mm of travel
• Minor assembly required

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Get ready for monster rides on the trails and bumpy city streets with the 26-inch, 21-speed Columbia Trailhead Disc mountain bike--which features 6-inch aluminum disc front brakes for reliable stopping. A great choice for both hard-hitting city streets and tricky trails, it features precision Shimano RD-TX50-L rear and TZ30 front derailleurs, and Sram TRX gear shifter for easy and accurate changes on the fly. The RST 191-T6 front suspension fork provides a smoother ride over rough terrain as well as improved control with 80mm of travel. The lightweight 6061 alloy frame has replaceable hanger and disc mounts as well as fender mounts. Other features include a threadless stem with 25-degree rise, steel handlebar, comfortably padded anatomical saddle, lightweight alloy rims, and chunky MTB wheels (26 by 2.1 inches).

Assembly of the Bike:
This bike comes mostly assembled. Minor assembly is required before the bike can be used.

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

21 Speed, Alloy Hardtail Mountain Bike And Disc Brakes

Product Details

• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000BFT8LG
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (34 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #353,011 in Sports & Outdoors (See Top 100 in Sports & Outdoors)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very easy setup, nice bike . . . kinda rough shipping, August 26, 2006

By 

John A. Lund (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Columbia Trailhead Disc Men's Mountain Bike (Sports)

In contrast to the other review I've seen, this bike was not difficult at all to setup. The only tools you need are a set of metric allen wrenches (to attach the front disc brake and handle bars) a pair of pliers (to tighten on the pedals) and a phillips OR flathead screwdriver (to tighten the reflectors). In total, it took about a half-hour to setup and that includes taking off all the protective cardboard and plastic. The only somewhat confusing part of the setup is adjusting the front disc brake, but there ARE instructions for this included with the bike and all you need is a 5 mm allen wrench.

One of the things I like most about this bike is that it has a front suspension with an adjustable load, so if you are heavy or light, you can make it suit your needs. The disc brakes work very well! I purchased the 21.5" version and would add that it is very big for a bike. I'm 6'3" and it fits me perfectly . . . but don't get the 21.5" unless you are at least 6' tall.

The only complaint I have is with the shipping, which left the box pretty beat up. There was no damage to the bike save a few very light scratches. It's a good thing it is packed so well by Columbia.

In all, this is a fantastic value with great features for a great price.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great bike for the money, December 4, 2006

By 

Tommy G. (Philly, PA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Columbia Trailhead Disc Men's Mountain Bike (Sports)

I just picked this bike up last week for $150 from Amazon and I love it. The box/bike arrived overnight with fast & free Supersaver shipping and the box condition was perfect. The only downside was no instruction booklet, so I printed out the reviews of this bike and highlighted all of the technical advice from previous reviews which helped tremendously. I will also add some and clarify ones that were previously posted.

1) To mount the handlebar stem, look at the stub on the top of the fork. Remove the little rubber nipple (yes, I said nipple) and use a 5mm wrench to remove the bolt, then take off the plastic cap and cardboard sleeve. Mount the handlebar stem so that it points up and away from the seat area of the bike. Use a 6mm allan wrench to tighten down the stem. Put the black cover, 5mm bolt and nipple back on.

2) To mount the handlebars, hold up the handlebar near the stem and ensure that the front brake cable is not running between the front forks. If it is, rotate the forks until the cable is freed. Mount the handle bar with a 6mm allan wrench ( you may need to adjust the front reflector out of the way for this) and remember that the shifters are mounted below the brakes.

3) To mount the front brake: place the front wheel flat on the ground with the 6 bolt holes facing up. Place the black space on the wheel with the "lip" side of the space facing up. Place the silver brake disc on top of the space so that the arrow on the disc is pointing in a COUNTER clockwise position. Use the 6 bolts to attach them, while tightening them in an offset/star pattern.

4) To mount the wheel: flip the bike upside down and place the front wheel into the fork slots. If you never installed a quick release system before (like me), closely examine the rear wheel's quick release system and mimic it for the front.

5) With the bike still upside down, install the pedals and make sure that you know that the left pedal has reverse threads (not tighty righty that you know and love). Also make sure that the chain is attached to the sprockets before flipping the bike back over.

6) Install the seat/rear reflector, inflate the tires and inspect the bike.

You may need to make small adjustments to the brakes and/or the shifter linkage, but there is documentation for the brakes that comes with the bike and you should hopefully be able to tweak the shifter with an allan wrench and some patience.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great bike for the price!, November 4, 2006

By 

Confucious (Michigan) - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Columbia Trailhead Disc Men's Mountain Bike (Sports)

This bike shipped rather quickly. Came in great condition unlike other reviewers. Assembly took about 45 minutes. Installing the front disc brake took me 3 tries before getting it right. Make sure you put the spacer first and then the disc. Overall the bike is great and looks really nice. I changed the tires to some 1.5 city slicks to use with my bell mag trainer. Only adjustment I made was for the deraillure. It was a little off but after adjusting it everything is perfect. You will not go wrong with this purchase. Just read the other reviews for tips on how to put it together since there is no instructions.

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