Title: A method for improving bicycle shifting performance

Authors: C.C. Wang, C.H. Tseng, Z.H. Fong

Addresses: Graduate Student, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan, ROC. ' Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chiao Tung University, Hsinchu 300, Taiwan, ROC. ' Associate Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, National Chung Cheng University, Chia-Yi 621, Taiwan, ROC

Abstract: The overwhelming majority of bicycles, the most common human-powered vehicles (HPVs), are equipped with sophisticated derailleur systems that serve the same purpose as transmissions in motor vehicles: enabling more efficient use of input power through selection of suitable gear reduction ratios. This paper presents a method for improving the performance of bicycle derailleur systems by modifying sprocket shape to eliminate jerkiness, slippage and rattling noise, and guide chain movement from one gear to another more quickly and directly. The sprocket modification CAD/CAM program, and an integrated optimization tool, were developed on an IRIS INDIG0/4000 workstation.

Keywords: human-powered vehicles; bicycles; bikes; derailleur gears; optimisation; CADCAM system; integrated systems; sprocket shape; vehicle design; gear shifting.

DOI: 10.1504/IJVD.1997.062046

International Journal of Vehicle Design, 1997 Vol.18 No.1, pp.100 - 117

Published online: 29 May 2014 *

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