Patent ID: 6471230
Filing Date: 2002-10-29
Classification: B62K

Abstract:
A method of improving riding performance of a bicycle having a rear wheel suspension system, which comprises an upper rocker arm and a lower rocker arm, each rocker arm comprising rearward and forward pivot points, the method comprising the step of:tracking a chain torque line with an instant center, thereby improving the bicycle's performance by reducing torque reactivity of the suspension system, wherein the instant center is defined as a point at the intersection of a first imaginary straight line drawn through the rearward and forward pivot points of the upper rocker arm, and a second imaginary straight line drawn through the rearward and forward pivot points of the lower rocker arm, and wherein the instant center is located in front of a front wheel axle, and above a horizontal line extending through the front wheel axle when the suspension system is not compressed, and a perpendicular distance between the instant center and the chain torque line decreases to zero as the suspension is compressed, and wherein the chain torque line is defined as a parallel line extending along the tension side of a chain while the chain is positioned on chain sprockets of the bicycle.