Single pivot bicycle suspension apparatus and related methods

A bicycle, including

• a main frame, which includes a bottom bracket, which is a generally cylindrical structure for holding a pedal crank assembly that rotates about an axis extending through the center of the generally cylindrical structure, the pedal crank assembly attached to at least one chain sprocket, and
• a rigid rear wheel suspension system attached to the main frame above the bottom bracket at a single pivot axis, wherein the suspension system includes
• a seat stay and a chain stay, each stay having a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the rearward end of each stay is nonpivotably secured to a joint attached to a rear wheel axle;
• and
• a single upright member, which includes a single elongated cylindrical body having a first end and a second end, a connector pivotably attached to the bicycle frame at the single pivot axis, and at least one swing arm attachment element nonpivotably attached to the forward ends of the seat stays and chain stays, wherein the forward end of the seat stay is attached near the first end of the tubular upright member, and wherein the forward end of the chain stay is attached to the single tubular upright member at an area disposed between the first end and second end of the tubular upright member and above the at least one chain sprocket.

A bicycle, including

• a main frame, which includes a bottom bracket, which is a generally cylindrical structure for holding a pedal crank assembly that rotates about an axis extending through the center of the generally cylindrical structure, the pedal crank assembly is attached to at least one chain sprocket, and
• a rigid rear wheel suspension pivotably attached to the main frame at a single pivot axis, wherein the rear wheel suspension includes
• a pair of seat stays and chain stays nonpivotably coupled to a joint structured to be attached to a rear wheel of the bicycle and extending forward from the rear wheel of the bicycle;
• a single tubular upright member, which includes a single tubular elongated body having a first end and a second end;
• a connector at the second end of the elongated body attached to the bicycle frame at the single pivot axis, and a plurality of swing arm attachment elements welded to the forward ends of the seat stays and chain stays, wherein the forward end of the seat stay is attached near the first end of the tubular upright member, and wherein the forward end of the chain stay is attached to the single tubular upright member at an area disposed between the first and second ends of the single tubular upright member and above the at least one chain sprocket;
• and
• a shock absorber connected between the first end of the tubular upright member and the bicycle main frame.

A bicycle, including

• a main frame having a bottom bracket, which is a generally cylindrical structure for holding a pedal crank assembly that rotates about an axis extending through the center of the generally cylindrical structure, the pedal crank assembly attached to at least one chain sprocket, and
• a rigid rear wheel suspension system attached to the main frame at a single pivot axis, wherein the rear wheel suspension system includes
• a seat stay and a chain stay, each stay having a forward end and a rearward end, wherein the rearward end of each stay is nonpivotably secured to a joint attached to an axle of a rear wheel;
• and
• a single tubular upright member comprising an upper attachment element located at a first end of the tubular upright member and a connector element located at a second end of the tubular upright member, wherein the forward end of the seat stay is nonpivotably attached to the upper attachment element, and wherein the forward end of the chain stay is nonpivotably attached to the single tubular upright member at an area that is disposed between the first end and the second end of the tubular upright member, and that is disposed above the at least one chain sprocket, and the connector element is pivotably attached to the main frame of the bicycle.