In this article, we’ll be discussing an Adjustable Shock Assembly Fox Factory, US publication 20220403909. The publication date is Dec 22nd, 2022 and the filing date is June 15th, 2022. This is not granted at the moment. Brief Summary (tl;dr) Fox are working on another iteration of their Live Valve system. In this document, they show a rear shock with an active valve system, a passive compression valve, and a passive blowoff stack. The compression valve manually controls fluid flow to either the active valve or the blowoff stack. The rider can turn a knob to adjust the amount of blowoff press ..read more

In this article, we’ll be discussing a Bicycle Frame with Angled Strut by Specialized, US publication 20230034772. The publication date is Feb 2nd, 2023 and the filing date is July 12st, 2021. This is not granted, yet. Follow along here or subscribe to this website. Brief Summary (tl;dr) Specialized are working on a new bike frame (gravel or road, not sure) that uses a shorter seat tube (that doesn’t extend to the bottom bracket), and includes a seat stay and strut that extend from the bottom of the seat tube. They say this design allows for a more comfortable ride. Why I don’t have an explic ..read more

In this article, we’ll be discussing a Wheel Component in Particular for Bicycles by DT Swiss Inc., US publication 20210354517. The publication date is Nov. 18th, 2021 and the filing date is May 14th, 2021 (US). This patent is not granted in the US, yet, but it was granted in the EPO late last year. I was asked by DT Swiss to write this article for you all. I’d like to thank them for allowing me to share a really cool idea with you all. I’m a huge fan of engineering-driven marketing, and I hope this gives you some deep understanding of their possible new product. Brief Summary (tl;dr) DT Swis ..read more

In this article, we’ll be discussing Front Forks for Bicycles by SRAM, US publication 20220355894. The publication date is Nov. 10th, 2022 and the filing date is May 10th, 2021. This patent is not granted. The USPTO recently changed its search system, so I’m not entirely sure how to link the document directly (Google Patents takes a few weeks to update). Go here and type in that number if you want to read the document itself. Brief Summary (tl;dr) SRAM are working on a new linkage fork for, what appears to be, a gravel bike. This new fork utilizes an upper fork and a lower fork. The upper and ..read more

In this article, we’ll be discussing a Bash Guard Device and System for Bicycle Components by SRAM, US publication 20220227442. The publication date is July 21st, 2022 and the filing date is Dec 20th, 2021. This isn’t granted yet. I’m watching Rampage as I’m writing this so excuse any nonsensical ramblings or errors. That shit is very distracting, especially Reed Bogg’s mic-up. Lol. Brief Summary (tl;dr) SRAM are developing a bash guard/chainring system, where the bash guard mounts directly to the chainring through the lightening holes of their modern direct-mount chain rings. That’s about it ..read more

In this article, we’ll be discussing an Insulating Container by Yeti, US publication 20220024675. The publication date is Jan. 27th, 2022 and the filing date is July 27th, 2021. While this isn’t a bike document, it’s from a bike manufacturer. This suggests a very different business path they may be taking in the future. Brief Summary (tl;dr) Looks like Yeti Design are looking to make a cooler. No, this is not the Yeti Coolers we all know and… love? This is Yeti Design out of Golden, CO, and the inventors are the CTO and Director of Engineering of Yeti. The special part about this cooler (at le ..read more

In this article, we’ll be discussing a Rear Derailleur by Shimano, US publications 202202004134 and 20220204135. The publication date is June 30th, 2022 and the filing date is Dec. 21st, 2021. These are not granted yet. This is a excellently juicy example of the games being played behind the scenes in the bike industry (and every other industry). Brief Summary (tl;dr) Shimano are attempting to protect a coaxial rear derailleur hanger that uses a B-screw adjustment. The derailleur looks awfully similar to the SRAM coaxial derailleur that I’ve talked about before, and has been seen at some race ..read more

In this article, we’ll be discussing a Hydraulic Brake Control Device with Handlebar Proximal Hose Attachment by SRAM, US publications 20220185425 and 20220185426. The publication date is June 16th, 2022, and the filing date is Dec 10th and 14th of 2021. Neither of these are granted at the moment.   So, I’ve done this before, where I can’t find a particular public release (see Shimano pedals and SRAM buttercups) because they’re usually a pretty quiet release, and they’re like a zillion every month. That being said, I’m pretty sure these are not the DB8’s that were released in April. But ..read more

In this article, we’ll be discussing a Bicycle Pedal by Shimano, US publication 20220106009. The publication date is April 7th, 2022 and the filing date is Oct 6th, 2020. This patent is not granted, yet.   Been a while. Really busy and not having the IG feels like I’m just talking to myself. Thinking about putting a bounty on information on who got me banned. Brief Summary (tl;dr) Shimano have developed a new pedal that uses a secondary load-receiving piece that will make contact with the spindle as the pedal flexes. As a result, the load of a rider is distributed more beneficially throug ..read more

In this article, we’ll be discussing a Bicycle Telescopic Apparatus, US publication 20210394850. The publication date is Dec. 23rd, and the filing date is Sept 3rd, 2021. This patent is not granted, yet.   Brief Summary (tl;dr) Shimano are working on, in my opinion, one of the more ridiculous ideas I’ve read in a long time. In the first example, the dropper seat post includes a height detection system, which calculates the relative height of the base to the stanchion of the dropper. This height is then sent to a controller, which does some fancy calculations to determine the optimal gear ..read more