The parallelogram suspension system can be used for both the front and rear wheels of a bicycle, individually or together. A rear parallelogram suspension system will absorb less propulsive energy than most large travel rear suspension systems, while offering greater travel and better adjustability than "pivotless" rear suspension systems. A front parallelogram suspension system will move in constant geometric alignment to the main frame of the bicycle, can have no play in the fore/aft or lateral directions, and can have no stiction, all characteristics that will give the bicycle better handling and control compared to the common telescopically compressing suspension fork. Front parallelogram suspensions will also have a much lower mass than these suspension forks, both in total mass and in moving mass. It would be possible to construct a fully suspended bicycle frame that utilizes only one shock and/or spring unit, thus saving weight over fully suspended designs that use separate shock and/or spring units for each wheel. A parallelogram suspension system, for either the front or rear of the bicycle, can be designed and constructed to allow expedient shock, spring, ride height and suspension travel adjustments, thus allowing a bicycle to be quickly optimized for different riders, terrain's and riding styles, and will also allow maintenance to be simple and quickly done.
A two-piece bicycle frame pivotably attached together at a pivot point with a biasing mechanism adjacent to the point of attachment. The bias mechanism bears an angle of between 30.degree. to 60.degree. relative to true horizontal. Each frame section has a relative plane which planes in relation to one another bear an angle exceeding 180.degree. when no weight is on the bicycle.
A rear single-sided swingarm suspension for a motorcycle includes a single-sided swingarm that has an axle bearing assembly pivotably connected to the rearward end thereof for swinging motion in a plane parallel to the plane of travel of the swingarm. A cantilevered wheel axle is journalled in the axle bearing assembly and is affixed to the rear wheel. A control arm, which is shorter than the swingarm, extends generally parallel to the swingarm and is pivotably connected to the motorcycle frame at a point rearward of the forward end of the swingarm. The axle bearing assembly also is pivotably attached to the rear end of the control arm. The wheel axle is journalled in the axle bearing assembly at a point rearward of the rear end of the swing arm and on the opposite side of the swingarm from the control arm. The axle bearing assembly may include an axle housing having a splined tube extending generally parallel to the swingarm, and an upright member having a cooperably splined cylinder which receives the splined tube, so as to allow linear movement and securing of the position of the rear wheel axle with respect to the axis of the swingarm and thereby select the drive chain tension. The suspension results in the path of travel of the wheel axle during swingarm motion being more nearly vertical, thereby better isolating propulsion drive forces on the wheel from weight loads and road shocks.
A modular suspension strut apparatus provides a bicycle with a relocatable center of gravity to adjust the bicycle to the rider and to terrain conditions. The combined center of gravity of a bicycle and rider is adjustable by moving and clamping a strut within a strut tube. A crank axle housing at the bottom of the strut and a seat post at the top are shifted vertically, while maintaining a fixed seat axle distance. The strut is resiliently mounted within the strut tube by an internal or external spring or springs to absorb shocks. Spring force is adjusted by adjusting an air pressure with an external air pump or on board pumps. Spring forces may be adjusted while seated or in motion by turning knobs or handwheel rings and/or by other means. Strut movement within the strut tube is limited to axial reciprocation in a preset range. Elastomeric rings prevent shock at limits of the strut movements. The strut tube is made of three joined parts, a center tube and top and base guides. The guides connect to frame tubes and stays and provide bearings for the strut.
