Abstract: A folding bicycle includes a frame (10) with a main member (11) extending in the fore and aft direction of the bicycle and a rear wheel assembly (19) in the region of a rearward end of the member (11). The assembly (19) is pivotably connected with the frame to be movable between a use position in which a rear wheel (20) of the assembly in side elevation of the bicycle is disposed rearwardly of the frame and a folded position in which the wheel in the side elevation is disposed partly alongside the main member (10). A pivot connection allowing lateral redisposition of the wheel in this manner can have the form of a hinge (31) with a horizontal axis inclined relative to the vertical longitudinal plane of the bicycle.

Abstract: A bicycle comprises a frame, a rear wheel and a rear suspension which comprises a swing arm carrying the wheel and two pivot links pivotably connected at respective pivot points with the frame and at respective pivot points with the arm so as to form, together with parts of the frame and arm, a four-bar linkage. The suspension further comprises a spring and damper unit pivotably connected with the frame at the pivot point of one link and with the arm at the pivot point of the other link so as to extend diagonally of the linkage and provide springing and damping of the suspension travel. The shared use of the link pivot points by the spring and damper unit serves to reduce construction and assembly costs as well as weight. One link is disposed forwardly of the other link with respect to the fore and aft direction of the bicycle so as to ensure lateral rigidity of the rear suspension.

Abstract: A bicycle comprises a frame (10) a rear wheel (14) and a rear suspension, which comprises a swing arm (17) carrying the wheel and two pivot links (18, 19) spaced from one another in the fore and aft direction of the bicycle and coupling the arm to the frame to form, together with the frame, a four-bar linkage movable between a first end settings in an unloaded state of the suspension and a second end setting in a loaded state of the suspension. The links (18, 19) are each pivotably connected with the frame outwardly of the wheel circumference and are arranged so that on movement of the linkage from the first to the second end setting an instantaneous pivot center (21) defined by the intersection of two axes (22, 23) each containing the pivot points of a respective one of the links (18, 19) moves downwardly and rearwardly with respect to the fore and aft direction.

Abstract: A bicycle comprises a frame (10) a rear wheel (14) and a rear suspension, which comprises a swing arm (17) carrying the wheel and two pivot links (18, 19) spaced from one another in the fore and aft direction of the bicycle and coupling the arm to the frame to form, together with the frame, a four-bar linkage movable between a first end settings in an unloaded state of the suspension and a second end setting in a loaded state of the suspension. The links (18, 19) are each pivotably connected with the frame outwardly of the wheel circumference and are arranged so that on movement of the linkage from the first to the second end setting an instantaneous pivot centre (21) defined by the intersection of two axes (22, 23) each containing the pivot points of a respective one of the links (18, 19) moves downwardly and rearwardly with respect to the fore and aft direction.