Suspension system for bicycles

A spring damper system for bicycles having:

• a first load-applying segment and a second load-applying segment;
• at least one spring mechanism comprising at least one spring arranged to be operatively effective between said first and said second load-applying segment;
• a damping means arranged to be operatively effective between said first and said second load-applying segment;
• a regulating mechanism by means of which the damping behavior of said damping means can be adjusted;
• whereby said regulating mechanism automatically effects a damping behavior setting of said damping means contingent upon a tension or load present in said at least one spring;
• whereby said regulating mechanism comprises at least one control element configured as a control rod and arranged to be moveable relative to at least one passage opening by means of which an opening cross-section of said at least one passage opening can be automatically modified for adjusting the damping behavior setting;
• whereby said at least one spring includes at least one chamber filled only with gas, whereby said at least one chamber filled only with gas acts as a gas spring in concert with the gas present therewithin;
• whereby said control rod comprises a control rod piston area which is loaded by said gas spring such that the spring force of said gas spring upon loading induces an axial displacement of said control rod;
• whereby at least one control rod spring acts on said control rod, a spring force of said at least one control rod spring acting counter to the spring force of said gas spring;
• and
• wherein said at least one control element is arranged to be moveable relative to said at least one passage opening for said at least one control element to adjust the damping behavior setting of said damping means in finite steps of successive closing, and thereby automatically contingent upon the tension or load present in said gas spring.