Abstract: A parallelogram suspension in a bicycle, the parallelogram suspension comprising a first swing arm rotatably coupled to a seat post at a first end of the first swing arm; a second swing arm rotatably coupled to the seat post at a first end of the second swing arm; a linkage rotatably coupled between a second end of the first swing arm and a second end of the second swing arm; a deformable support disposed in a volume defined between the first swing arm, the second swing arm, and the linkage; and a release configured to selectively open the volume to release the deformable support.

Abstract: Headsets and head tube assemblies for vehicles are provided. A vehicle includes a steerer tube and a head tube. A headset rotatably connects the steerer tube and the head tube. The headset includes a coupling ring which includes a body and a central bore defined in and extending through the body. The coupling ring is connectable to and rotatable with the steerer tube. The headset further includes a cup which includes a body and a central bore defined in and extending through the body. The cup is connectable to and rotatable with the head tube. The headset further includes a damper assembly, the damper assembly including a first damper element rotatable with the steerer tube and a second damper element rotatable with the head tube, the first damper element and the second damper element in frictional contact with and rotatable relative to each other.

Abstract: Twin tube dampers are provided. In one embodiment, a twin tube damper includes a damping assembly, the damping assembly defining a central longitudinal axis and including an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube defines an inner fluid chamber, the outer tube generally surrounds the inner tube and defines an outer fluid chamber, and the outer fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the inner fluid chamber. The twin tube damper further includes a piston assembly, the piston assembly including a piston disposed within the inner fluid chamber and movable generally along the central longitudinal axis. The twin tube damper further includes a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the damping assembly, the fluid reservoir including a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane generally coaxial with the damping assembly.

Abstract: A twin tube damper includes an inner fluid chamber, an outer fluid chamber in fluid communication with the inner fluid chamber and a first fluid circuit that is in fluid communication with the inner fluid chamber. The first fluid circuit includes a primary flow passage and a first bypass flow passage. A second fluid circuit is in fluid communication with the outer fluid chamber and with the first fluid circuit via a common flow passage. The second fluid circuit includes a primary flow passage and a second bypass flow passage. A switchable flow valve is provided for directing fluid flow between the first bypass flow passage and at least one of the common flow passage and the second bypass flow passage, and between the second bypass flow passage and at least one of the common flow passage and the first bypass flow control passage.

Abstract: Twin tube dampers are provided. In one embodiment, a twin tube damper includes a damping assembly, the damping assembly defining a central longitudinal axis and including an inner tube and an outer tube. The inner tube defines an inner fluid chamber, the outer tube generally surrounds the inner tube and defines an outer fluid chamber, and the outer fluid chamber is in fluid communication with the inner fluid chamber. The twin tube damper further includes a piston assembly, the piston assembly including a piston disposed within the inner fluid chamber and movable generally along the central longitudinal axis. The twin tube damper further includes a fluid reservoir in fluid communication with the damping assembly, the fluid reservoir including a flexible membrane, the flexible membrane generally coaxial with the damping assembly.

Abstract: A twin tube damper includes an inner fluid chamber, an outer fluid chamber in fluid communication with the inner fluid chamber and a first fluid circuit that is in fluid communication with the inner fluid chamber. The first fluid circuit includes a primary flow passage and a first bypass flow passage. A second fluid circuit is in fluid communication with the outer fluid chamber and with the first fluid circuit via a common flow passage. The second fluid circuit includes a primary flow passage and a second bypass flow passage. A switchable flow valve is provided for directing fluid flow between the first bypass flow passage and at least one of the common flow passage and the second bypass flow passage, and between the second bypass flow passage and at least one of the common flow passage and the first bypass flow control passage.

Abstract: A captured shim head set for a bicycle has a bearing set for mounting on the head tube of a bicycle; a member for axially loading the bearing set and radially affixing the bearing set to a steerer tube of a bicycle front fork; a top cap for covering the bearing set and with which an axial load is applied to the member; and at least one washer-shaped shim for adjusting the spacing between the top cap and member. A lost motion mechanism is formed between the member and top cap and at least one washer-shaped shim is selectively capturable in the lost motion mechanism for limiting the degree of movement between the member and top cap in a manner limiting the distance that the top cap is movable towards the member.

Abstract: A captured shim head set for a bicycle has a bearing set for mounting on the head tube of a bicycle; a member for axially loading the bearing set and radially affixing the bearing set to a steerer tube of a bicycle front fork; a top cap for covering the bearing set and with which an axial load is applied to the member; and at least one washer-shaped shim for adjusting the spacing between the top cap and member. A lost motion mechanism is formed between the member and top cap and at least one washer-shaped shim is selectively capturable in the lost motion mechanism for limiting the degree of movement between the member and top cap in a manner limiting the distance that the top cap is movable towards the member.

Abstract: A headset spacer unit and a steering assembly equipped therewith in which the headset spacer unit is formed of a plurality of annular spacers, each of which has a configuration at top and bottom sides thereof which is shaped to enable a bottom side of each of the plurality of spacer to make an interlocking engagement with a top side of another of said plurality of annular spacers in a manner preventing relative radial movement between the spacers. In the steering assembly, advantageously, a highest component of the headset and a bottom surface of the handle bar stem have a complementary configuration for engaging with the configuration of a respective side of the spacer unit.

Abstract: A bicycle headset of the type having upper and lower bearing assemblies for facilitating relative rotation between a steerer tube of a bicycle front fork and a head tube of a bicycle frame, each of the bearing assemblies having a bearing cup with cup-shaped portion for holding an annular rotary bearing unit and an axially extending insertion portion for insertion into the head tube, is improved by a stress-relieving undercut being formed as a transition between the cup-shaped portion and the insertion portion. The undercut can extend around the outer periphery of the insertion portion, the underside of the cup-shaped portion or the junction of the flange and cup-shaped portions.

Abstract: An inner cylinder 5 supports and drives a hub shell 1. A sprocket hub 10 is rigidly mounted on one end of the cylinder, and may be integral with it. A bearing 2 at each end of the axle supports the cylinder and sprocket hub for rotation about the axle 1 Outer bearings 16 between the cylinder and hub shell rotationally supported hub shell. A circular ratchet 8 in the interior of the hub shell, and corresponding pawls 6 on the exterior of the cylinder, drive the hub shell when torque is applied to th sprocket hub, and allow the shell to freewheel otherwise. A more central position of the pawl drive in the hub shell compare to prior designs reduces twist of the shell. Wide separation of the bearings supporting the sprocket hub and cylinder provide a highly stable sprocket hub. These features maximize transmission efficiency and reliability.