Bicycle rear suspension system

摘要

A suspension system for mounting a rear wheel on a rigid bicycle frame comprises a rear swing arm assembly pivotally mounted on the main frame member, and a shock absorbing arm assembly having a first end pivotally mounted on the rear swing arm assembly and a second end pivotally mounted on the main frame member. The shock absorbing arm assembly includes a first spring and damper assembly presenting a first spring resistance, and a second spring and damper assembly presenting a second spring resistance having a substantially different magnitude than the first spring resistance. The first and second spring and damper assemblies are mounted in seriatim in the shock absorbing arm assembly in force transmitting relation between the first and second ends of the shock absorbing arm assembly. A rear wheel mount defines a rear wheel axis of rotation and is disposed on one of the rear swing arm assembly and the shock absorbing arm assembly adjacent the first end thereof, for arcuate movement of the rear wheel axis of rotation between a plurality of substantially vertically displaced positions. At least a portion of the forces transmitted from the rear swing arm assembly to the shock absorbing arm assembly as a consequence of the substantially vertical displacement of the rear wheel axis of rotation is transmitted through both of the first and second spring and damper assemblies, and is thus substantially precluded from reaching the rigid bicycle frame.