Abstract: A seat post assembly includes a first tube moveable along an axis between a first position and a second position and a second tube telescopically moveable along the axis relative to the first tube between a retracted position and an extended position. A positioning assembly configured to adjustably position the second tube relative to the first tube. An electric actuator is adapted to be automatically electrically connected to a power source when the first tube is moved from the first position to the second position, and automatically electrically disconnected from the power source when the first tube is moved from the second position to the first position. The electric actuator is movable to actuate the positioning assembly in response to an electrical current adapted to be transmitted from the power source when the first tube is in the first position to adjustably position the second tube relative to the first tube.

Abstract: An electronic component for an electric bicycle is provided. The electric bicycle includes a transmission. The electronic component includes a processor configured to identify an operating condition of the electric bicycle, determine transmission losses of the transmission of the electric bicycle based on the identified operating condition, and control an assist motor of the electric bicycle based on the determined transmission losses.

Abstract: An electronic component for an electric bicycle is provided. The electric bicycle includes a transmission. The electronic component includes a processor configured to identify an operating condition of the electric bicycle, determine transmission losses of the transmission of the electric bicycle based on the identified operating condition, and control an assist motor of the electric bicycle based on the determined transmission losses.

Abstract: A bicycle with an electric pedal assist motor capable of driving a chainring independent of cranks includes wheel speed sensors and crank cadence sensors. The wheel speed sensors and the crank cadence sensors measure wheel speed and crank cadence, respectively, and provide the measured wheel speed and crank cadence to controller of the bicycle. The controller activates motor overdrive based on the measured wheel speed and/or the measured crank cadence.

Abstract: Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example height adjustable seat post includes an upper tube and a lower tube configured in a telescopic arrangement. The height adjustable seat post includes a piston in the upper tube that divides the upper tube into a first chamber and a second chamber. The first and second chambers are filled with fluid. The piston defines a fluid passageway between the first chamber and the second chamber. The height adjustable seat post includes a plug and a seal carried by the plug. The plug is moveable in a linear direction between a closed position in which the seal is engaged with the piston to block fluid flow through the fluid passageway and an open position in which the seal is spaced from the piston to enable fluid flow through the fluid passageway.

Abstract: Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example apparatus includes a height adjustable seat post including a valve and an internal actuator to operate the valve to enable the seat post to expand or contract. The apparatus also includes a control device including a housing and a microcontroller in the housing. The control device is outside of the seat post. The microcontroller is to control power to the internal actuator based on wireless signals from a seat post actuator on the bicycle. The apparatus also includes a cable to electrically couple the seat post and the control device.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel hub includes a driver rotatable about an axis at a first rotational speed, wherein the driver includes a mating feature configured to engage a cassette. A shell is rotatable about the axis at a second rotational speed. A non-adjustable gear train is coupled between the driver and the shell, wherein the gear train defines a single fixed gear ratio greater than 1:1 between the driver and the shell. A bicycle drive train includes a drive unit having a user input component rotatable about a first axis at a first rotational speed, a chain ring rotatable about a second axis at a second rotational speed, and a gear train coupled between the user input component and the chain ring. The gear train defines a gear ratio less than 1:1 between the user input component and the chain ring. A method of propelling a bicycle is also provided.

Abstract: Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example height adjustable seat post includes an upper tube and a lower tube configured in a telescopic arrangement. The height adjustable seat post includes a piston assembly in the upper tube that divides the upper tube into a first chamber and a second chamber. The piston assembly includes a valve to control fluid flow between the first and second chambers. The height adjustable seat post also includes an actuator to operate the valve. The height adjustable seat post further includes a connector assembly connected to the lower tube. The connector assembly is to be connected to a mating connector assembly on the bicycle. The connector assembly includes a magnetic connector including a housing having an end surface with an opening, first and second electrical contacts in the opening, and a magnet disposed in the housing and spaced from the end surface of the housing.

Abstract: A rim for a bicycle wheel includes a radially inner portion disposed along an inner circumference of the rim, a first sidewall, a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall, a radially outer tire engaging portion disposed along an outer circumference of the rim, and an opening. The first sidewall, the second sidewall, the radially outer tire engaging portion, the radially inner portion, or any combination thereof includes a composite laminate. The composite laminate includes one or more compressed layers of a first composite material, which includes a matrix of a polymer-based material and natural fibers for a reinforcing material, and one or more compressed layers of a second composite material that is different than the first composite material. The opening extends through at least one layer of the one or more compressed layers of the second composite material, such that the second composite material surrounds the opening.

Abstract: A system and method for simple transmission of a multi-speed bicycle is provided. A bicycle can have a transmission that can be toggled by a kickback shifting mechanism. A rear wheel hub can support a freewheel having a high speed gear sprocket and a low speed gear sprocket with dedicated chains to create dedicated gear-shifting. Rotating the pedal shaft in the non-drive direction approximately one-quarter rotation can toggle the transmission between the first gear ratio and the second gear ratio with a shifting surface that alternately allows driving engagement of the high speed gear sprocket with the rear wheel driver.

Abstract: A wireless control system for a bicycle may include a base part attachable to a bicycle and a movable part. The control system may also include an electric motor disposed on the electromechanical component and a control unit disposed on the electromechanical component for operating the electric motor to operate the electromechanical component, the control unit including a wireless receiver. The control system includes a wake sensor connected to the control unit, the wake sensor configured to communicate a wake signal to the control unit.

Abstract: A seat post assembly for a bicycle has a first tube with a first distal end and a second tube with a second distal end. The first and second tubes are movable relative to one another to establish a distance between the first and second distal ends. A first pressure chamber has a loaded pressure proportional to a load applied along the tube axis. A second pressure chamber has a second pressure not proportional to the load. A flow path connects the first and second pressure chambers. A valve is disposed along the flow path and is configured to move between a closed position closing the flow path and an open position opening the flow path between the first and second pressure chambers. An isolator of the valve is configured to nullify any resultant force produced by the loaded pressure of the first pressure chamber acting on the isolator.

Abstract: A bicycle with an electric pedal assist motor capable of driving a chainring independent of cranks includes wheel speed sensors and crank cadence sensors. The wheel speed sensors and the crank cadence sensors measure wheel speed and crank cadence, respectively, and provide the measured wheel speed and crank cadence to a controller of the bicycle. The controller is configured to instruct an assist motor to activate based on the measured wheel speed and/or the measured crank cadence.

Abstract: A bicycle front shifting system includes operable to transmit a wireless signal, a crank assembly with two crank arms and a pedal on each of the two crank arms. The crank assembly is rotatable about a rotation axis. A front shift unit is coupled to the crank assembly and is rotatable about the rotation axis. The front shift unit includes a chain ring component with a big chain ring and a small chain ring. The small chain ring has a small diameter and the big chain ring has a big diameter that is larger than the small diameter. A shift mechanism is coupled to and rotatable with the chain ring component about the rotation axis. The shift mechanism is configured to receive the wireless signal from the shifter and to shift a chain between the big chain ring and the small chain ring according to the wireless signal.

Abstract: Height adjustable seat posts for bicycles are described herein. An example height adjustable seat post includes an upper tube and a lower tube configured in a telescopic arrangement and a piston in the upper tube. The piston divides the upper tube into first chamber and second chambers. The first and second chambers are filled with fluid. The height adjustable seat post also includes a valve including a fixed member and a rotatable member forming a face seal between a first face of the fixed member and a second face of the rotatable member. The fixed member has a fluid flow passageway. The rotatable member is rotatable relative to the fixed member between a closed position in which the rotatable member blocks the fluid flow passageway to prevent fluid flow between the first and second chambers and an open position to enable fluid flow through the fluid flow passageway and between the first and second chambers.

Abstract: A control device for a hydraulic brake for a bicycle includes a reservoir for hydraulic fluid. The reservoir has a variable volume. The control device also includes a reservoir cover at least partially defining the reservoir, and a support that is attachable to a handlebar of the bicycle via an inner annular surface of the support. A handlebar proximity zone is radially outer relative to the inner annular surface of the support and is within two centimeters of the inner annular surface of the support. At least part of the reservoir cover is within the handlebar proximity zone.

Abstract: A seat post assembly for a bicycle has a first tube with a first distal end and a second tube with a second distal end. The first and second tubes are movable relative to one another to establish a distance between the first and second distal ends. A first pressure chamber has a loaded pressure proportional to a load applied along the tube axis. A second pressure chamber has a second pressure not proportional to the load. A flow path connects the first and second pressure chambers. A valve is disposed along the flow path and is configured to move between a closed position closing the flow path and an open position opening the flow path between the first and second pressure chambers. An isolator of the valve is configured to nullify any resultant force produced by the loaded pressure of the first pressure chamber acting on the isolator.

Abstract: A rim for a bicycle wheel includes a radially inner portion disposed along an inner circumference of the rim, a first sidewall, and a second sidewall spaced apart from the first sidewall. The first sidewall and the second sidewall extend radially outward from the radially inner portion. The rim also includes a radially outer tire engaging portion disposed along an outer circumference of the rim. The radially outer tire engaging portion extends from the first sidewall and the second sidewall, respectively. The rim also includes an opening through the radially inner portion at a first circumferential position along the inner circumference. An air valve of the bicycle wheel is positionable through the opening. The rim also includes a receptacle for a sensor device within the radially inner portion at a second circumferential position along the inner circumference. The second circumferential position is different than the first circumferential position.

Abstract: Brake rotors for bicycles are described herein. An example brake rotor for a bicycle includes a carrier to be coupled to a hub of the bicycle. The brake rotor also includes a brake track having braking surfaces to be engaged by brake pads. The brake track is disposed radially outward of the carrier. The brake track has a first thickness and the carrier has a second thickness greater than the first thickness. The brake track is coupled to the carrier such that the brake track is axially movable relative to the carrier while being radially and circumferentially constrained relative to the carrier.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention provides an electromechanical rear derailleur for a bicycle including a base member that is configured to be coupled to a frame member of a bicycle. The derailleur includes a movable member and a link mechanism that movably couples the movable member to the base member. A motor is positioned at the movable member to move the movable member.