Disclosed herein is a symmetric bicycle. Accordingly, the symmetric bicycle may include a bicycle frame, a bicycle handle, a plurality of bicycle wheels, and a crank assembly. Further, the bicycle frame may include a seat member, a down member, a top member, and a head member. Further, the bicycle handle may be coupled to the bicycle frame. Further, the plurality of bicycle wheels may be coupled to the bicycle frame. Further, the plurality of bicycle wheels may include at least one front bicycle wheel and at least one rear bicycle wheel. Further, the crank assembly may be coupled with at least one of the at least one front bicycle wheel and the at least one rear bicycle wheel for propelling the symmetric bicycle. Further, the crank assembly may include a crank wheel symmetrically disposed along a vertical plane passing through the seat member.

A method of operating a vehicle having an engine, a throttle valve and a throttle operator. A continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the engine has a driving pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt operatively connecting the driving and driven pulleys. A ground engaging member is operatively connected to the driven pulley. A piston is operatively connected to the driving pulley for applying a piston force thereto and thereby changing an effective diameter of the driving pulley. A control unit controls actuation of the piston and the piston force. The method includes detecting a stall condition indicative of the vehicle being stalled, and, responsive to the detection, setting the piston force to be zero.

A method of operating a vehicle having an engine, a throttle valve and a throttle operator. A continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the engine has a driving pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt operatively connecting the driving and driven pulleys. A ground engaging member is operatively connected to the driven pulley. A piston is operatively connected to the driving pulley for applying a piston force thereto and thereby changing an effective diameter of the driving pulley. A control unit controls actuation of the piston and the piston force. The method includes detecting a stall condition indicative of the vehicle being stalled, and, responsive to the detection, setting the piston force to be zero.

The transmission comprises a chainring (12) rotatable around an axis of rotation (x), at least one sprocket (13) and a chain (14) for transmitting to said at least one sprocket (13) the rotary motion of the chainring (12) around the axis of rotation (x). The chainring (12) comprises a disc (16) and a plurality of meshing devices (22; 122) which are mounted in radially movable manner on the disc (16) and are arranged to enable engagement of the disc (16) with the chain (14) for transmitting motion from the chainring (12) to the at least one sprocket (13) by means of the chain (14). The transmission further comprises shifting means (18, 60) for varying the radial position of the meshing devices (22; 122) in order to change the transmission ratio with which the chainring (12) transmits motion to the at least one sprocket (13). Each meshing device (22; 122) comprises a support body (24; 124) and a tilting fork (28; 128) which is supported on the respective support body (24; 124) for tilting around a first tilting axis (x) parallel to the axis of rotation (x) of the chainring (12), and comprises at least one tooth (28a; 128a) for engaging a link (14a) of the chain (14). Each meshing device (22; 122) further comprises braking means (32, 38, 40; 132, 138, 140, 178) for preventing the respective tilting fork (28; 128) from tilting around the first tilting axis (x).

The transmission comprises a chainring (12) rotatable around an axis of rotation (x), at least one sprocket (13) and a chain (14) for transmitting to said at least one sprocket (13) the rotary motion of the chainring (12) around the axis of rotation (x). The chainring (12) comprises a disc (16) and a plurality of meshing devices (22; 122) which are mounted in radially movable manner on the disc (16) and are arranged to enable engagement of the disc (16) with the chain (14) for transmitting motion from the chainring (12) to the at least one sprocket (13) by means of the chain (14). The transmission further comprises shifting means (18, 60) for varying the radial position of the meshing devices (22; 122) in order to change the transmission ratio with which the chainring (12) transmits motion to the at least one sprocket (13). Each meshing device (22; 122) comprises a support body (24; 124) and a tilting fork (28; 128) which is supported on the respective support body (24; 124) for tilting around a first tilting axis (x) parallel to the axis of rotation (x) of the chainring (12), and comprises at least one tooth (28a; 128a) for engaging a link (14a) of the chain (14). Each meshing device (22; 122) further comprises braking means (32, 38, 40; 132, 138, 140, 178) for preventing the respective tilting fork (28; 128) from tilting around the first tilting axis (x).

Embodiments of the present disclosure describe a snow vehicle including an engine mounted on a frame, a drive track in contact with the frame, a drive train operatively interconnecting the engine with the drive track for delivering propulsive power to the drive track, a fork connected to the frame, one or more skis connected to the fork, a drop fork component positioned between a fork and handlebars, and an exhaust system. The drive train includes a continuously variable transmission (CVT) positioned within a CVT housing.

A method of operating a vehicle having an engine, a throttle valve and a throttle operator. A continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the engine has a driving pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt operatively connecting therebetween. A ground engaging member is operatively connected to the driven pulley. A piston is operatively connected to the driving pulley for applying a piston force thereto and thereby changing an effective diameter of the driving pulley. A control unit controls actuation of the piston and the piston force. The method includes determining at least one of the throttle operator and throttle valve position, detecting a parking/drive away condition indicative of one of a parking operation and a drive-away operation of the vehicle, and, responsive to the detection, actuating the piston and controlling the piston force based on the at least one of the throttle operator position and the throttle valve position.

A method of operating a vehicle having an engine, a throttle valve and a throttle operator. A continuously variable transmission operatively connected to the engine has a driving pulley, a driven pulley, and a belt operatively connecting therebetween. A ground engaging member is operatively connected to the driven pulley. A piston is operatively connected to the driving pulley for applying a piston force thereto and thereby changing an effective diameter of the driving pulley. A control unit controls actuation of the piston and the piston force. The method includes determining at least one of the throttle operator and throttle valve position, detecting a parking/drive away condition indicative of one of a parking operation and a drive-away operation of the vehicle, and, responsive to the detection, actuating the piston and controlling the piston force based on the at least one of the throttle operator position and the throttle valve position.

Traction planets and traction rings can be operationally coupled to a planetary gearset to provide a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be used in a bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on and supported by members of the bicycle frame such that the CVT is coaxial with the crankshaft of the bicycle. The crankshaft is configured to drive elements of the planetary gearset, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed. A shifting mechanism includes a plurality of pivot arms arranged to pivot about the centers of the traction planets as a shift pin hub moves axially.

Traction planets and traction rings can be operationally coupled to a planetary gearset to provide a continuously variable transmission (CVT). The CVT can be used in a bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on the frame of the bicycle at a location forward of the rear wheel hub of the bicycle. In one embodiment, the CVT is mounted on and supported by members of the bicycle frame such that the CVT is coaxial with the crankshaft of the bicycle. The crankshaft is configured to drive elements of the planetary gearset, which are configured to operationally drive the traction rings and the traction planets. Inventive component and subassemblies for such a CVT are disclosed. A shifting mechanism includes a plurality of pivot arms arranged to pivot about the centers of the traction planets as a shift pin hub moves axially.