A bicycle frame includes a first frame member and a second frame member configured to be pivotally connected to the first frame member about a pivot axis. The first frame member includes a threaded hole, through which a fixing bolt for fixing a mounting member of a bicycle front derailleur to the first frame member passes, and an abutting portion configured to restrict rotation of a mounting member of a bicycle front derailleur around the fixing bolt by abutting the mounting member. The threaded hole is located on a front side of the pivot axis.

A method for shifting a segmented gear may include rotating a gear cluster including a first gear and a coaxial second gear using a power transfer mechanism (e.g., a belt or a chain). The power transfer mechanism defines a plane and is wrapped partially around the first gear. and wherein the first gear has a plurality of gear segments independently movable (e.g., pivotable or translatable) into and out of the plane. A plurality of radially transitionable sliders are rotated in tandem with the first gear, and each of the sliders is operatively coupled to a corresponding one of the gear segments of the first gear. In sequence, each segment of the first gear is moved out of the plane of the power transfer mechanism by urging the slider in a radial direction using a segment actuator, such that the power transfer mechanism wraps at least partially around the second gear.

A method for shifting a segmented gear may include rotating a gear cluster including a first gear and a coaxial second gear using a power transfer mechanism (e.g., a belt or a chain). The power transfer mechanism defines a plane and is wrapped partially around the first gear. and wherein the first gear has a plurality of gear segments independently movable (e.g., pivotable or translatable) into and out of the plane. A plurality of radially transitionable sliders are rotated in tandem with the first gear, and each of the sliders is operatively coupled to a corresponding one of the gear segments of the first gear. In sequence, each segment of the first gear is moved out of the plane of the power transfer mechanism by urging the slider in a radial direction using a segment actuator, such that the power transfer mechanism wraps at least partially around the second gear.

A gearbox may include a drive spindle and several interconnected gear clusters arranged in a housing. A first of the gear clusters is coaxially fastened to the spindle, and has an outboard gear and an inboard gear. The first gear cluster drives a belt or chain to operate one or more of the other gear clusters, and the inboard gear is physically divided into a plurality of segments. A shifting system for the gearbox includes an actuator configured to urge the segments of the inboard gear of the first gear cluster into and out of the plane of the belt or chain via a toggle and slider mechanism, such that a gear ratio of the gearbox is changeable without displacing the belt or chain out of the plane.

A gearbox may include a drive spindle and several interconnected gear clusters arranged in a housing. A first of the gear clusters is coaxially fastened to the spindle, and has an outboard gear and an inboard gear. The first gear cluster drives a belt or chain to operate one or more of the other gear clusters, and the inboard gear is physically divided into a plurality of segments. A shifting system for the gearbox includes an actuator configured to urge the segments of the inboard gear of the first gear cluster into and out of the plane of the belt or chain via a toggle and slider mechanism, such that a gear ratio of the gearbox is changeable without displacing the belt or chain out of the plane.

A bicycle front derailleur is provided that can be easily coupled to a bicycle frame. The bicycle front derailleur includes a base member, a chain guide and a link mechanism. The base member is configured to be coupled to a bottom bracket hanger of the bicycle frame. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism connects the chain guide to the base member to move the chain guide between a retracted position and an extended position. The base member includes a recess configured to accommodate a part of the chain guide in a state where the chain guide is located at the retracted position.

A bicycle front derailleur is provided that can be easily coupled to a bicycle frame. The bicycle front derailleur includes a base member, a chain guide and a link mechanism. The base member is configured to be coupled to a bottom bracket hanger of the bicycle frame. The chain guide is configured to guide a chain. The link mechanism connects the chain guide to the base member to move the chain guide between a retracted position and an extended position. The base member includes a recess configured to accommodate a part of the chain guide in a state where the chain guide is located at the retracted position.

A bicycle front derailleur that is movable between shift positions in association with an indexer. The inner mechanical end stop is adjusted at the first indexing position so there is no loosening of the control cable in the last downward gearshifting operation, with the benefit of an immediate and rapid response in the first upward gearshifting operation. The outer end stop is adjusted to interrupt the rotation of the cable-winding bush before it reaches the last indexing position. This pair of mechanical end stops limits the excursion of the derailleur to prevent it being able to shift the chain too much towards the frame or too much away from the frame, which ensures that the chain is not shifted beyond the gears.

A bicycle front derailleur that is movable between shift positions in association with an indexer. The inner mechanical end stop is adjusted at the first indexing position so there is no loosening of the control cable in the last downward gearshifting operation, with the benefit of an immediate and rapid response in the first upward gearshifting operation. The outer end stop is adjusted to interrupt the rotation of the cable-winding bush before it reaches the last indexing position. This pair of mechanical end stops limits the excursion of the derailleur to prevent it being able to shift the chain too much towards the frame or too much away from the frame, which ensures that the chain is not shifted beyond the gears.

A fastening device for a bicycle front derailleur includes a supporting unit disposed between a mounting bracket and a main body, a spacer disposed on the mounting bracket and having an adjusting portion, a threaded fastener, and an adjuster disposed on the adjusting portion of the spacer. An end of the supporting unit is abutted against a seat tube, and the other end has a supporting portion where an end of the adjuster is abutted. The mounting bracket is located between the supporting unit and the spacer. The threaded fastener is inserted through the spacer, the mounting bracket, the supporting unit and the main body in order, thereby fastening the spacer, the supporting unit and the main body to the mounting bracket. When moving axially, the adjuster is able to drive the spacer, the threaded fastener and the main body to rotate about a derailleur adjustment axis.