IP Library Granted Patent US 9,057,416
Granted Patent B2
US 9,057,416 · App. 13/607,483 · Granted Jun 16, 2015

Bicycle with suspension

Inventor: Jan Talavasek (Morgan Hill, CA)
Assignee: SPECIALIZED BICYCLE COMPONENTS, INC.
F16F9/56B62K25/20F16F9/06
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,057,416
App. No.
13/607,483
Granted
Jun 16, 2015
Kind
B2
Abstract

A bicycle can include a suspension system with a shock absorber. The shock absorber can have a sag position which can be adjustable. Sag refers to the amount of movement experienced by the suspension under a static load, such as that of the weight of a rider. Methods and systems to set sag can include at least one valve in fluid communication with a gas chamber of the shock absorber. In some embodiments, the at least one valve can be used to automatically set the sag position based on an individual's weight and riding position.

Claims (24)

1. A method of adjusting a bicycle suspension sag position comprising:

inflating a gas chamber of a bicycle shock absorber on a bicycle to an overinflated pressure value exceeding a final desired pressure;

compressing the shock absorber on the bicycle;

deflating the gas chamber through a valve in communication with the gas chamber while the shock absorber is compressed until the deflation automatically stops such that a sag position of the shock absorber is automatically set; and

closing the valve.

2. The method of claim 1 , wherein the overinflated pressure value comprises at least 250 psi.

3. The method of claim 1 , wherein the overinflated pressure value comprises at least 20% over the final desired pressure.

4. The method of claim 1 , further comprising moving the valve to close a valve port communicating with the gas chamber.

5. The method of claim 1 , wherein inflating the gas chamber comprises inflating the gas chamber through a second valve in communication with the gas chamber.

6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the overinflated pressure value comprises at least 300 psi.

7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the overinflated pressure value comprises at least 30% over the final desired pressure.

8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the final desired pressure is between 100-240 psi.

9. The method of claim 1 , wherein the final desired pressure is between 150-220 psi.

10. A method of adjusting a bicycle suspension sag position comprising:

attaching a pump to a first valve;

inflating a gas chamber of a bicycle shock absorber of a bicycle through the first valve with the pump to an overinflated pressure value exceeding a final desired pressure;

compressing the shock absorber on the bicycle; and

pressing a second valve while the shock absorber is compressed to allow air to leave the gas chamber until deflation automatically stops such that a sag position of the shock absorber is automatically set.

11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the overinflated pressure value comprises at least 250 psi.

12. The method of claim 10 , wherein the overinflated pressure value comprises at least 20% over the final desired pressure.

13. The method of claim 10 , wherein the overinflated pressure value comprises at least 300 psi.

14. The method of claim 10 , wherein the overinflated pressure value comprises at least 30% over the final desired pressure.

15. The method of claim 10 , wherein the final desired pressure is between 100-240 psi.

16. The method of claim 10 , wherein the final desired pressure is between 150-220 psi.

Continuity (2)
Division 12833745 · Jul 9, 2010
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