Abstract: Conventional linkages between bicycle handlebar-mounted controls and rear brakes and gears are unable to accommodate unlimited rotation of the handlebars as is required on some so-called “freestyle” bicycles. A prior attempt to solve the problem employs a linkage comprising a bearing having two parts that are relatively rotatable about an axis. However this proposal is unable to handle situations where there are two or more mechanisms to be controlled e.g. a rear brake and a gear. The problem is solved by using multiple bearings (15, 16, 17) that share a common axis (X-X) of rotation but are located at different radial positions with respect to the axis. This avoids interference between the different linkages and makes it possible to locate the linkages around a stem on which the front wheel fork of the bicycle is mounted. A possible suitable location may be within a head tube of the bicycle frame. The invention is not limited to use with bicycles and can be employed in robotic and other machines.

Abstract: Conventional linkages between bicycle handlebar-mounted controls and rear brakes and gears are unable to accommodate unlimited rotation of the handlebars as is required on some so-called “freestyle” bicycles. A prior attempt to solve the problem employs a linkage comprising a bearing having two parts that are relatively rotatable about an axis. However this proposal is unable to handle situations where there are two or more mechanisms to be controlled e.g. a rear brake and a gear. The problem is solved by using multiple bearings (15, 16, 17) that share a common axis (X-X) of rotation but are located at different radial positions with respect to the axis. This avoids interference between the different linkages and makes it possible to locate the linkages around a stem on which the front wheel fork of the bicycle is mounted. A possible suitable location may be within a head tube of the bicycle frame. The invention is not limited to use with bicycles and can be employed in robotic and other machines.

Abstract: Conventional linkages between bicycle handlebar-mounted controls and rear brakes and gears are unable to accommodate unlimited rotation of the handlebars as is required on some so-called “freestyle” bicycles. A prior attempt to solve the problem employs a linkage comprising a bearing having two parts that are relatively rotatable about an axis. However this proposal is unable to handle situations where there are two or more mechanisms to be controlled e.g. a rear brake and a gear. Another problem is that dirt between the bearing surfaces may cause the bearing to jam. The invention provides pins (15C) that fit into slots (8A) for restricting rotation, relative to the handlebars, of a first bearing part (15A) and pins (15F) that fit in slots (9A) for restricting rotation, relative to the bicycle frame, of a second bearing part (15B). The aforementioned slots are formed in cylindrical guide walls not visible in FIG. 5.