Abstract: A crank assembly for a bicycle uses a chain and a plurality of auxiliary sprockets to achieve high ratios of wheel speed to pedal-rotation speed. The crank assembly is designed for use on a full-suspension bicycle, as the relative motion of the drive sprockets (22) of the transmission is isolated from the motion of the rear suspension arms (18, 20), which form the chain stays of the bicycle, and whose pivot is co-axial with the axle of the pedal cranks (14). Motion of the suspension arms about the pivot induces rotation by an equal angular measure of the drive sprocket of the transmission. So no relative motion of the drive sprocket and suspension arms occurs except that which is induced by the pedal cranks.

Abstract: A crank assembly for a bicycle uses a chain and a plurality of auxiliary sprockets to achieve high ratios of wheel speed to pedal-rotation speed. The crank assembly is designed for use on a full-suspension bicycle, as the relative motion of the drive sprockets (22) of the transmission is isolated from the motion of the rear suspension arms (18, 20), which form the chain stays of the bicycle, and whose pivot is co-axial with the axle of the pedal cranks (14). Motion of the suspension arms about the pivot induces rotation by an equal angular measure of the drive sprocket of the transmission. So no relative motion of the drive sprocket and suspension arms occurs except that which is induced by the pedal cranks.

Abstract: A method for preparing a fiber optic cable for a splice wherein a radial compressive strain is applied to the fiber optic cable and the fiber optic cable is cut adjacent to the applied radial compressive strain to create a splice end of the fiber optic cable having a convex bulb. A corresponding device for preparing a fiber optic cable for a splice comprises a cutting means for cutting a fiber optic cable into a waste end and a splice end and a collet for applying a radial compressive strain to the fiber optic cable adjacent to the cutting means of the tool.