Front bicycle derailleur

Abstract

Front bicycle derailleur (12, 112, 212, 312), comprising: a basic component (22, 122, 222, 322) designed in such a way that it can be mounted on a bicycle frame (1); a chain guide (24, 124, 224, 324) designed to be movably coupled to the base component (22, 122, 222, 322) between a retracted position and an extended position for moving a bicycle chain (18); and a chain limiting stop (26, 126, 226, 326) configured to limit the movement of the bicycle chain (18) in a radially outward direction around a pivot axis (A) of a front bicycle sprocket (14, 16) when the base component (22, 122, 222, 322) is mounted on the bicycle frame (1) and the chain guide (24, 124, 224, 324) moves from the extended position to the retracted position, and to contact a radially outwardly directed outer surface (18b) of the bicycle chain (18) when the base component (22, 122, 222, 322) is mounted on the bicycle frame (1) and the bicycle chain (18) moves from a larger front sprocket (14) to an adjacent smaller front sprocket (16), wherein the chain guide (24, 124, 224, 324) has an inner guide plate (40, 140, 240, 340) and an outer guide plate (42, 142, 242, 342), wherein the outer guide plate (42, 142, 242, 342) has a base plate section (42a, 142a, 342a) and a chain guide section (42b, 142b, 342b) which projects from the base plate section (42a, 142a, 342a) in the direction of the inner guide plate (40, 140, 240, 340), wherein the chain guide section (42b, 142b, 342b) is configured such that it contacts a side surface (18a) of the bicycle chain (18) when the base component (22, 122, 222, 322) is mounted on the bicycle frame (1) and the chain guide (24, 124, 224, 324) moves from the extended position to the retracted position, characterized in that the chain limit stop (26, 126, 226, 326) is arranged downstream of the chain guide section (42b, 142b, 342b) in the chain drive direction (CD).

Description

[0001] This invention relates generally to a front bicycle derailleur. In particular, the present invention relates to a front bicycle derailleur with a chain guide that is movable between a retracted position and an extended position and thus moves the bicycle chain between the front chainrings. Background information,

[0002] Many bicycles are equipped with a drivetrain that allows the rider to change the gear ratio to transfer power from the pedals to the rear wheel. Often, the drivetrain uses one or more derailleurs to change the gear ratio. A front derailleur is mounted on the bicycle frame next to the front chainrings to shift the chain laterally between the front chainrings, while a rear derailleur is mounted next to the rear wheel hub to shift the chain laterally between the rear chainrings. In both cases, the derailleur typically has a fixed or base component that is rigidly attached to the bicycle frame and a chain guide. The chain guide is mounted to move between at least two lateral shift positions relative to the base component.Typically, a coupling unit is connected between the fixed component and the chain guide in such a way that it movably mounts the moving component to the chain guide. The front derailleur is usually actuated via an actuating cable that is coupled between a shift lever and the derailleur.

[0003] Generic front bicycle derailleurs are described in US 2013 / 0 072 333 A1, US 5 192 249 A1, DE 20 2008 010 001 U1 and in DE 10 2015 006 582 A1.

[0004] In general, the present disclosure relates to various features of a front bicycle derailleur. One object of the present invention is to provide a front bicycle derailleur that enables more reliable shifting from a larger front chainring to a smaller front chainring. This object is achieved by the subject matter of claims 1 and 22. Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0005] With regard to the state of the art and according to a first aspect of the present disclosure, a front bicycle derailleur is provided, comprising a base component, a chain guide, and a chain stop. The base component is designed to be mounted on a bicycle frame. The chain guide is designed to be movably coupled to the base component between a retracted and an extended position for moving a bicycle chain. The chain stop is designed to limit the movement of the bicycle chain in a radially outward direction along the axis of rotation of a front bicycle sprocket when the base component is mounted on the bicycle frame and the chain guide moves from the extended to the retracted position.With this design, the chain limiter of the front derailleur contributes to smooth shifting from a large chainring to a smaller chainring.

[0006] According to the invention, the front bicycle derailleur is designed such that the chain stop contact a radially outwardly facing outer surface of the bicycle chain when the base component is mounted on the bicycle frame and the bicycle chain moves from a larger front chainring to an adjacent smaller front chainring. With this design, the chain stop does not obstruct the chain during cycling and reliably makes contact with the chain, thus ensuring smooth shifting from a larger chainring to a smaller chainring.

[0007] According to the invention, the chain guide comprises an inner guide plate and an outer guide plate. The outer guide plate has a base plate section and a chain guide section that projects from the base plate section towards the inner guide plate. The chain guide section is designed to contact a side surface of the bicycle chain when the base component is mounted on the bicycle frame and the chain guide moves from the extended position to the retracted position. With this design, the chain limit stop further contributes to smooth shifting from a large sprocket to a smaller sprocket.

[0008] Finally, the chain limit stop is located downstream of the chain guide section with respect to the chain drive direction.

[0009] According to a second aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the first aspect is designed such that a first axial distance between the chain stop and the inner guide plate is defined, which is smaller than a second axial distance defined between the chain guide section and the inner guide plate. With this design, the chain stop further contributes to smooth shifting from a large chainring to a smaller chainring.

[0010] According to a third aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to one of the preceding aspects is designed such that the outer guide plate is configured to define a non-contact space between the chain stop and the chain guide section in the direction of chain drive. This non-contact space is designed so that it does not contact the bicycle chain when the base component is mounted on the bicycle frame and the chain guide moves from the extended position to the retracted position. With this design, the chain stop does not obstruct the chain while cycling.

[0011] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to one of the preceding aspects is designed such that the chain stop is arranged on the base component. With this design, the chain stop can be easily provided.

[0012] According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the fourth aspect is designed such that the chain stop is arranged at the front end of the base component. With this design, the chain stop does not obstruct the chain while cycling.

[0013] According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the fourth or fifth aspect is designed such that the chain stop is arranged on a downward-facing surface of the base component. With this design, the chain stop can reliably contact the chain and thus ensure smooth shifting from a large chainring to a smaller chainring.

[0014] According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the sixth aspect is designed such that the chain stop has a projection which, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation, is arranged between the inner guide plate and the outer guide plate when the base component is mounted on the bicycle frame. With this design, the chain stop can be provided cost-effectively on the chain guide.

[0015] According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to one of the preceding aspects is designed such that the chain stop is arranged on the outer guide plate of the chain guide. With this design, the chain stop can be provided in the correct position.

[0016] According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the eighth aspect is designed such that the chain limit stop is arranged in front of the inner guide plate. With this design, the chain limit stop does not obstruct the chain while cycling.

[0017] According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the eighth or ninth aspect is designed such that the chain stop is integrally formed as a one-piece component from the outer guide plate. With this design, the chain stop can be provided cost-effectively.

[0018] According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to aspects eight to ten is designed such that the chain stop is arranged at the front end of the outer guide plate. With this design, the chain stop does not obstruct the chain while cycling.

[0019] According to a twelfth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to one of the preceding aspects is designed such that the chain guide has a connecting element. The connecting element extends between the inner guide plate and the outer guide plate. The chain stop is arranged on the connecting element of the chain guide. With this design, the chain stop can be provided cost-effectively.

[0020] According to a thirteenth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the twelfth aspect is designed such that the chain stop is arranged at the front end of the chain guide. With this design, the chain stop does not obstruct the chain while cycling.

[0021] According to a fourteenth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the twelfth or thirteenth aspect is designed such that the chain stop has a projection that extends from the connecting part between the inner guide plate and the outer guide plate. With this design, the chain stop can be provided cost-effectively.

[0022] According to a fifteenth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to one of the preceding aspects is designed such that the chain stop is at least partially made of an elastic material. With this design, the chain stop will not damage the chain.

[0023] According to a sixteenth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to one of the preceding aspects is designed such that the chain stop is configured to be elastically deformed by the bicycle chain moving in the radially outward direction when the base component is mounted on the bicycle frame and the chain guide moves from the retracted position to the extended position. With this design, the chain stop can be elastically deformed, thereby preventing damage to the chain and / or the front bicycle derailleur.

[0024] According to a seventeenth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to one of the preceding aspects is designed such that the chain stop is made at least partially of a non-metallic material. In this embodiment, the chain stop will be lightweight and inexpensive.

[0025] According to an eighteenth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the seventeenth aspect is designed such that the chain stop is at least partially made of a resin material. With this design, the chain stop can be manufactured cost-effectively.

[0026] According to a nineteenth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the seventeenth aspect is designed such that the chain stop is at least partially made of an elastomer. With this design, the chain stop will not damage the chain.

[0027] According to a twentieth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to one of the preceding aspects is designed such that the chain stop has an interior space. With this design, the chain stop can deform elastically even more easily, thereby preventing damage to the chain and / or the front bicycle derailleur.

[0028] According to a twenty-first aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the twentieth aspect is designed such that the chain stop has a through-hole that encompasses the interior of the chain stop. With this design, the interior can be easily formed.

[0029] According to a twenty-second aspect of the present invention, a bicycle drivetrain assembly comprises the front bicycle derailleur according to any of the preceding aspects. The bicycle drivetrain assembly further comprises the larger front chainring and the smaller front chainring. The larger front chainring has a first body section and several first teeth arranged on the outer circumference of the first body section. The smaller front chainring has a second body section and several second teeth arranged on the outer circumference of the second body section. The total number of second teeth of the smaller front chainring is less than the total number of first teeth of the larger front chainring. With this configuration, the front bicycle derailleur can shift the chain between a first chainring and a second chainring.

[0030] According to a twenty-third aspect of the present invention, the bicycle drivetrain assembly according to the twenty-second aspect is designed such that the first teeth of the larger front chainring have a set of downshift teeth configured to define a predetermined shift gate in which the bicycle chain shifts towards the smaller front chainring, thus moving from the larger front chainring to the smaller front chainring. This design enables smooth and reliable downshifting.

[0031] According to a twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention, the bicycle drivetrain assembly according to the twenty-second or twenty-third aspect is configured such that the first teeth of the larger front chainring comprise a set of first downshift teeth, a set of second downshift teeth, a set of first drive teeth, and a set of second drive teeth. The first downshift teeth are configured to define a first predetermined shift path in which the bicycle chain shifts to the smaller front chainring, thus moving from the larger front chainring to the smaller front chainring. The second downshift teeth are configured to define a second predetermined shift path in which the bicycle chain shifts to the smaller front chainring, thus moving from the larger front chainring to the smaller front chainring.The first drive teeth are arranged between the first and second downshift teeth on the side upstream of the first downshift teeth, relative to the chain drive direction. The second drive teeth are arranged between the first and second downshift teeth on the side downstream of the first downshift teeth, relative to the chain drive direction. This design allows for smooth and reliable downshifting.

[0032] According to a twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention, the bicycle drivetrain assembly is designed according to aspects twenty-second to twenty-four such that the first teeth of the larger front sprocket have at least one downshift tooth and at least one drive tooth. The at least one downshift tooth has a first radial tooth height. The at least one drive tooth has a second radial tooth height that is greater than the first radial tooth height. With this design, downshifting can be reliably performed.

[0033] According to a twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention, the bicycle drivetrain assembly is designed according to aspects twenty-second to twenty-fifth such that the multiple first teeth comprise: at least one tooth engaging an outer link plate of the bicycle chain (18) with a first chain engagement tooth width, and at least one tooth engaging an inner link plate of the bicycle chain (18) with a second chain engagement tooth width. The first chain engagement tooth width is larger than an inner link space defined between two opposing inner link plates of the bicycle chain and smaller than an outer link space defined between two opposing outer link plates of the bicycle chain. The second chain engagement tooth width is smaller than the inner link space. This design ensures a reliable and secure engagement between the chain and the sprocket.

[0034] According to a twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur according to the sixteenth aspect is designed such that the chain stop is arranged on the base component. With this design, the chain stop can be easily provided.

[0035] According to a twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur is designed such that the chain stop is arranged in front of a front end of the chain guide. With this design, the chain stop does not obstruct the chain while cycling.

[0036] According to a twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention, the bicycle drivetrain assembly according to the twenty-seventh or twenty-eighth aspect is designed such that the chain stop is at least partially made of a non-metallic material. With this design, the chain stop will be lightweight and inexpensive.

[0037] According to a thirtieth aspect of the present invention, the front bicycle derailleur is designed, according to aspects twenty-seven to twenty-ninth, such that the chain stop has an interior space. With this design, the chain stop can deform elastically even more easily, thereby preventing damage to the chain and / or the front bicycle derailleur.

[0038] According to a thirty-first aspect of the present invention, the bicycle drivetrain assembly according to the thirtieth aspect is designed such that the chain stop has a through-hole that encompasses the interior of the chain stop. With this design, the interior can be easily formed.

[0039] Other items, features, aspects and advantages of the disclosed front bicycle derailleur will also become apparent to the person skilled in the art from the following detailed description, which, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, discloses several illustrative embodiments of a front bicycle derailleur, wherein Fig. 1 a partial side view of a bicycle frame with a bicycle drivetrain assembly comprising a front bicycle derailleur according to a first illustrated embodiment, a first chainring and a second chainring, wherein the front bicycle derailleur has a base component mounted on the bicycle frame for shifting a bicycle chain between the first and second chainrings; Fig. 2 an enlarged exterior view of the in Fig. 1 illustrated front bicycle derailleur is; Fig. 3 an enlarged interior view of the in the Fig. 1 and Fig. The 2 illustrated front bicycle derailleur is; Fig. 4 an enlarged front view of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2 to Fig. 3 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, in which the chain guide is in the extended position relative to the base component; Fig. 5 an enlarged front view of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, in which the chain guide is in the retracted position relative to the base component; Fig. 6 an enlarged top view of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4 to Fig. 5 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, in which the chain guide is in the extended position relative to the base component; Fig. 7 an enlarged top view of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5 to Fig. 6 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, in which the chain guide is in the retracted position relative to the base component; Fig. 8 an enlarged underside view of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6 to Fig. 7 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, in which the chain guide is in the extended position relative to the base component; Fig. 9 an enlarged underside view of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7 to Fig. 8 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, in which the chain guide is in the retracted position relative to the base component; Fig. 10 a perspective view of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. 9 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, in which the chain guide is in the extended position relative to the base component and a section of the base component has broken off; Fig. 11 another perspective view of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8 to Fig. Figure 9 illustrates the front bicycle derailleur, in which the chain guide is in the extended position relative to the base component, and which shows the mounting part of the chain limit stop with a dashed line; Fig. 12 another perspective view, similar Fig. 11, of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10 to Fig. 11 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, in which, however, the chain limit stop is detached from the basic component; Fig. Figure 13 is an external view of a bicycle chainring assembly, which is connected to the one in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. 12 illustrated front bicycle derailleurs are used; Fig. 14 an interior view of the in Fig. The 13 illustrated bicycle chainring assembly is; Fig. 15 a partial cross-section of the front sprockets of the in the Fig. 13 and Fig. Figure 14 illustrates the bicycle chainring assembly as viewed along a cross-sectional line that bisects one of the drive teeth of the large front chainring and bisects one of the wide teeth of the small front chainring; Fig. 16 a partial cross-section of the front sprockets of the in the Fig. 13 and Fig. Figure 14 illustrates the bicycle chainring assembly as viewed along a cross-sectional line that bisects one of the downshift teeth of the large front chainring and bisects one of the narrow teeth of the small front chainring; Fig. 17 a partial edge view of the front sprockets of the in the Fig. 13 and Fig. The 14 illustrated bicycle chainring assembly is; Fig. 18 A perspective partial view of the large front sprocket of the [unclear] Fig. 13 and Fig. The 14 illustrated bicycle chainring assembly is; Fig. 19 a perspective partial view of the large front sprocket of the in the Fig. 13 and Fig. The 14 illustrated bicycle chainring assembly is; Fig. 20 an enlarged front view of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. 12 illustrated front bicycle derailleur in the downshifted state, with the chain engaged with the drive teeth of the large front chainring in the area below the chain stop so that the chain contacts the chain stop, preventing the chain from moving onto the small front chainring; Fig. 21 an enlarged front view of the in the Fig. 1, Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. 12 illustrated front bicycle derailleur in the downshifted state, with the chain engaged with the downshift teeth of the large front chainring in the area below the chain stop, so that the chain passes between the chain stop and the downshift teeth, allowing the chain to move onto the small front chainring; Fig. 22 An enlarged external view of a front bicycle derailleur according to a second illustrated embodiment with a basic component designed to be attached to the Fig. 1 illustrated bicycle frame can be mounted, and is a chain guide for shifting a bicycle chain between adjacent front chainrings; Fig. 23 an enlarged front view of the in Fig. 22 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, whose chain guide is in an extended position relative to the base component; Fig. 24 an enlarged front view of the in the Fig. 22 and Fig. 23 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, whose chain guide is in a retracted position relative to the base component; Fig. 25 An enlarged external view of a front bicycle derailleur according to a third illustrated embodiment with a base component designed to be attached to the Fig. 1 illustrated bicycle frame can be mounted, and is a chain guide for shifting a bicycle chain between adjacent front chainrings; Fig. 26 an enlarged front view of the in Fig. 25 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, whose chain guide is in an extended position relative to the base component; Fig. 27 an enlarged front view of the in Fig. 25 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, whose chain guide is in a retracted position relative to the base component; Fig. 28 a partial side view of a bicycle frame with a bicycle drivetrain assembly according to a fourth illustrated embodiment, which includes a front bicycle derailleur, a first chainring and a second chainring, wherein the front bicycle derailleur has a base component mounted on the bicycle frame for shifting a bicycle chain between the first and second chainrings; Fig. 29 an enlarged exterior view of the in Fig. 28 illustrated front bicycle derailleurs are shown; Fig. 30 an enlarged interior view of the in the Fig. 28 and Fig. 29 illustrated front bicycle derailleur is; Fig. 31 an enlarged front view of the in the Fig. 28, Fig. 29 to Fig. 30 illustrated front bicycle derailleurs; in which the chain guide is in a retracted position relative to the base component; Fig. 32 an enlarged front view of the in the Fig. 28, Fig. 29 to Fig. 30 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, in which the chain guide is in an extended position relative to the base component; Fig. 33 a perspective partial view of the in the Fig. 28, Fig. 29, Fig. 30, Fig. 31 to Fig. 32 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, in which, however, the chain limit stop is detached from the basic component; Fig. 34 a partial side view of the in the Fig. 28, Fig. 29, Fig. 30, Fig. 31, Fig. 32 to Fig. 33 illustrated front bicycle derailleur, wherein the front bicycle derailleur is mounted on the bicycle frame and the chain limit stop has been elastically deformed by the bicycle chain engaging in the chain limit stop; Fig: 35 is a schematic top view of a first bicycle drive train with a first chain line arrangement; Fig. 36 is a schematic top view of a second bicycle drive train with a second chain line arrangement; Fig. 37 a perspective partial view of a section of the basic component of the in the Fig. 28, Fig. 29, Fig. 30, Fig. 31, Fig. 32 to Fig. Figure 33 illustrates a front bicycle derailleur, in which a spacer is used to optimize the position of the front bicycle derailleur for use with the first bicycle drivetrain of Fig. 35 is used; Fig. 38 a perspective partial view of a section of the basic component of the in the Fig. The illustrated front bicycle derailleur is shown in figures 28 to 33, where the spacer is... Fig. 37 is not used, so the position of the front bicycle derailleur is for use with the second bicycle drivetrain of Fig. 36 is optimized; Fig. 39 a perspective exploded view of the in Fig. The section of the basic component of the front bicycle derailleur, the spacer and the mounting clamp shown in Figure 38. Fig. 40 a cross-sectional view of the connection of the base component at the mounting clamp with the spacer arranged in between, viewed along the cross-sectional hatching line BB of Fig. 37, is, and Fig. 41 A cross-sectional view of the connection of the base component to the mounting clamp without spacers, viewed along the cross-sectional hatching line CC of Fig. 38, is.

[0040] First, with reference to Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a section of a bicycle frame 1 equipped with a bicycle drivetrain assembly 10, which includes a front derailleur 12 (hereinafter referred to as the "front derailleur 12") according to a first embodiment. The bicycle drivetrain assembly 10 further comprises a first chainring 14 and a second chainring 16. The first and second chainrings 14 and 16 are rotated about a pivot axis A by two crank arms CA1 and CA2. The first chainring 14 is a larger front chainring relative to the second chainring 16, which is an adjacent smaller front chainring relative to the first chainring 14. Although the bicycle drivetrain assembly 10 is illustrated with only two front chainrings, those skilled in the art in the field of bicycles will understand from this disclosure that the bicycle drivetrain assembly 10 can also include more than two front chainrings as needed and / or desired.

[0041] In principle, the front derailleur 12 is designed to shift a bicycle chain 18 laterally between the first and second chainrings 14 and 16. Here, the front derailleur 12 is a cable-operated front derailleur, which is operatively connected to a shift lever (not shown) using an actuating cable 20. However, the front derailleur 12 can also be designed to be actuated differently, for example electrically, hydraulically, or pneumatically.

[0042] In the first embodiment, the actuating cable 20 has a cable housing 20a and a shift cable 20b that passes through the cable housing 20a. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment, the actuating cable 20 is a conventional Bowden cable. The shift cable 20b is arranged to slide within the cable housing 20a. More precisely, an actuation of the shift lever (not shown) moves (i.e., pulls or releases) the shift cable 20b within the cable housing 20a so that the front derailleur 12 is actuated. The cable housing 20a can be designed as a single, continuous tubular component, with one end contacting a part of the shift lever (not shown) and the other end contacting the front derailleur 12, as illustrated. Alternatively, the cable housing 20a can be formed from two or more pieces, as is common on many bicycles.

[0043] In the first embodiment, as in Fig. As can be seen from Figure 1, the front derailleur 12 is mounted to a suspension tube of the bicycle frame 1 using a conventional bracket (not shown) which is attached to the suspension tube via a bottom bracket (not shown). However, a person skilled in the art of bicycles will understand from this disclosure that the front derailleur 12 can also be attached directly to the seat tube of the bicycle frame 1 in a conventional manner, if required and / or desired.

[0044] Now, with reference to the Fig. 2, Fig. 3, Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. The front derailleur 12 is described in detail in section 12. The front derailleur 12 basically comprises a base component 22, a chain guide 24, and a chain stop 26. In the first embodiment, the base component 22 is designed so that it can be mounted on the bicycle frame 1 in the conventional manner. The chain guide 24 is designed so that it can be movably coupled to the base component 22 between a retracted position and an extended position for moving the bicycle chain 18. In other words, the chain guide 24 is designed so that, relative to the base component 22, it can be moved between an extended position (see section 22) and an extended position (see section 26). Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 8) and a locked position (see Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 9), in which the chain guide 24 is further away from the base component 22 than in the retracted position, is movable.

[0045] More precisely, the front derailleur 12 further comprises a first coupling component 31 and a second coupling component 32, which connect the base component 22 and the chain guide 24 for lateral movement relative to the bicycle frame 1. In other words, the first and second coupling components 31 and 32 define a coupling unit for the movable bearing of the chain guide 24 relative to the base component 22 between the extended position (see Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 8) and the retracted position (see Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 9) The first and second coupling components 31 and 32 are each rigid components made of a suitable material such as a metallic material or a fiber-reinforced plastic material. In the illustrated embodiment, the first coupling component 31 is an outer tab, while the second coupling component 32 is an inner tab.

[0046] The first coupling component 31 is pivotally coupled to the base component 22 about a pivot axis P1. The first coupling component 31 is pivotally coupled to the chain guide 24 about a second pivot axis P2. The second coupling component 32 is pivotally coupled to the base component 22 about a third pivot axis P3. The second coupling component 32 is pivotally coupled to the chain guide 24 about a fourth pivot axis P4. In this case, Fig. In the 7 recognizable arrangement, the pivot axes P1, P2, P3 and P4 define a four-way joint. Similarly, in the arrangement of the first and second coupling components 31 and 32, the movement of the chain guide 24 generally occurs in a horizontal plane, so that the chain guide 24 swings back and forth relative to the frame 1 when the chain guide 24 is between the extended position (see Fig. 4, Fig. 6 and Fig. 8) and the retracted position (see Fig. 5, Fig. 7 and Fig. 9) swings laterally. A cable fastening screw 33 is screwed into a threaded bore of the second coupling component 32 to firmly attach the switching cable 20b to the second coupling component 32.

[0047] Here, as in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the front derailleur 12 further comprises a pretensioning element 34, which is operatively positioned between the chain guide 24 and the second coupling element 32 such that it pretensions the chain guide 24 into the retracted position. Alternatively, the pretensioning element 34 could also be arranged, as required and / or desired, to pretension the chain guide 24 into the extended position. In the illustrated embodiment, as shown in Figure 3, the pretensioning element 34 is operatively positioned between the chain guide 24 and the second coupling element 32 such that it pretensions the chain guide 24 into the extended position. Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the preloading component 34 is a torsion spring. The preloading component 34 has a wound section that is mounted on a pivot pin 36, which pivots the second coupling component 32 about the third pivot axis P3 on the base component 22. A first end of the preloading component 34 engages with the chain guide 24. As shown, for example, in the illustrated embodiment, the first end of the preloading component 34 is hooked onto the chain guide 24. A second end of the preloading component 34 is fixed to an adjusting collar 38, which is fixed to the second coupling component 32.

[0048] When using the front derailleur 12 with the bicycle drivetrain assembly having only the front chainrings 14 and 16, the chain guide 24 has at least two positions created by a shift lever (not shown). However, if, for example, the front derailleur 12 is used with a bicycle drivetrain assembly having three front chainrings, the chain guide 24 has three positions created by a shift lever (not shown).

[0049] As in Fig. As can be seen in Figure 1, the basic component 22 is designed so that it can be mounted on the bicycle 10 above the front chainrings 14 and 16. The basic component 22 is a rigid component made of a suitable material such as a metallic material or a plastic material. As shown in the Fig. 2 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 3, the basic component 22 has a frame mounting section 22a, which has two slots for receiving screws (not shown) for mounting the front derailleur 12 to the frame 1 via a mounting bracket (not shown). The basic component 22 also has a cable receptacle 22b, which receives the actuating cable 20. Here, the cable receptacle 22b has a stepped bore, so that a cable housing stop surface is formed between a first bore section with a large diameter and a second bore section with a small diameter. The first bore section with a large diameter is dimensioned so that it can receive the cable housing 20a, which abuts the cable housing stop surface. The second bore section with a small diameter is dimensioned so that it can receive the shift cable 20b.

[0050] The chain guide 24 will now be described in more detail. As in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. As shown in Figure 10, the chain guide 24 has an inner guide plate 40 and an outer guide plate 42. The inner guide plate 40 and the outer guide plate 42 are designed such that a chain guide slot 44 is clearly formed between them, as shown in the Fig. 4 and Fig. 5. In the illustrated embodiment, the chain guide 24 further comprises an upstream connecting part 46 and a downstream connecting part 48. The upstream connecting part 46 connects the upstream ends of the inner and outer guide plates 40 and 42. The downstream connecting part 48 connects the downstream ends of the inner and outer guide plates 40 and 42. As used herein, the terms “upstream” and “downstream” are to be understood as referring to the chain drive direction CD of the bicycle chain 18 in the chain guide slot 44 during a forward pedaling action exerted on the first and second sprockets 14 and 16. In other words, the inner surfaces of the inner and outer guide plates 40 and 42 face each other, forming the chain guide slot 44 between them for receiving the bicycle chain 18.

[0051] Specifically, the chain guide 24 is moved outwards away from the bicycle frame 1 relative to the base component 22 by tightening the shift cable 20b of the actuating cable 20 in response to the actuation of the shift lever (i.e., a pulling action). Therefore, in response to a release action of the actuating cable 20, the outer guide plate 42 contacts the bicycle chain 18 and shifts it laterally, so that the bicycle chain 18 moves inwards relative to the bicycle frame 1 from a first chainring 14 to the second chainring 16. Likewise, the chain guide 24 is moved outwards away from the bicycle frame 1 relative to the base component 22 by tightening the shift cable 20b of the actuating cable 20 in response to the actuation of a shift lever (not shown) (i.e., a pulling action).In this way, the chain guide 24 can selectively position the bicycle chain 18 relative to one of the first and second chainrings 14 and 16 in response to the actuation of the shift lever.

[0052] With reference to the Fig. 8, Fig. 9 to Fig. In the illustrated embodiment, the outer guide plate 42 comprises a base plate section 42a and a chain guide section 42b. The chain guide section 42b projects from the base plate section 42a toward the inner guide plate 40. The chain limit stop 26 is located on the side downstream of the chain guide section 42b, relative to the chain drive direction CD. The chain guide section 42b is an arcuate projection positioned to contact the bicycle chain 18 when the chain guide 24 is moved from the extended position to the retracted position to move the bicycle chain 18 from a larger front sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket 14) to an adjacent smaller front sprocket (i.e., the second sprocket 16).In other words, the chain guide section 42b is designed to contact a side surface 18a of the bicycle chain 18 when the base component 22 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1 and the chain guide 24 moves from the extended position to the retracted position. The chain limit stop 26 is positioned relative to the inner guide plate 40 such that a first axial distance D1 is defined between the chain limit stop 26 and the inner guide plate 40, and a second axial distance D2 is defined between the chain guide section 42b and the inner guide plate 40. The first axial distance D1 can be defined as the shortest distance between the chain limit stop 26 and the inner guide plate 40 in the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation A.The second axial distance D2 can be defined as the shortest distance between the chain guide section 42b and the inner guide plate 40 in the axial direction parallel to the axis of rotation A. The first axial distance D1 is smaller than the second axial distance D2 when the chain guide 24 is in at least one of the retracted and extended positions. Since the chain limit stop 26 is located on the base component 22, the first axial distance D1 changes based on the position of the chain guide 24. In the case of the extended position, the first axial distance D1 is zero. If the chain limit stop 26 is provided on the chain guide 24, the chain limit stop can be positioned such that the first axial distance D1 can be zero, while the inner guide plate 40 can be in both the extended and retracted positions as needed and / or desired.Furthermore, the first axial distance D1 and the second axial distance D2 can be the same as required and / or desired if the chain guide 24 is in at least one of the retracted and extended positions.

[0053] In the illustrated embodiment, the outer guide plate 42 is designed such that a non-contact space 42c is formed between the chain limit stop 26 and the chain guide section 42b in the chain drive direction CD. The non-contact space 42c is designed so that it does not contact the bicycle chain 18 when the base component 22 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1 and the chain guide 24 moves from the extended position to the retracted position. Therefore, the chain guide section 42b can be spaced apart from the chain limit stop 26 in the chain drive direction CD via the non-contact space 42c. This can reduce the chain shifting force on the second sprocket 16, thereby reducing the friction between the bicycle chain 18 and the chain limit stop 26 during the downshifting process.

[0054] The chain limit stop 26 will now be discussed in more detail. As in the Fig. 4, Fig. 5, Fig. 6, Fig. 7, Fig. 8, Fig. 9, Fig. 10, Fig. 11 to Fig. As shown in Figure 12, the chain stop 26 is arranged on the base component 22. More precisely, the chain stop 26 is arranged at the front end of the base component 22. As used herein, the term "front end" in relation to parts of a front derailleur refers to the end of the part that faces the front of a bicycle equipped with the front derailleur. The chain stop 26 is arranged on a downward-facing surface of the base component 22. As used herein, the term "downward-facing" should be understood as referring to a bicycle in an upright riding position on a horizontal surface and equipped with the front derailleur.

[0055] The chain limit stop 26 has a projection 26a. The projection 26a limits the radially outward movement of the bicycle chain 18 during downshifting, so that the bicycle chain 18 only moves from the first chainring 14 to the second chainring 16 at designated downshifting regions of the first chainring 14, as explained below. Viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation A, the projection 26a is located between the inner guide plate 40 and the outer guide plate 42 when the base component 22 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1. In this position, the chain limit stop 26 is designed such that the movement of the bicycle chain 18 in a radially outward direction around the axis of rotation A of a front bicycle chainring is limited when the base component 22 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1 and the chain guide 24 moves from the extended position to the retracted position.More precisely, the chain limit stop 26 is designed to contact the outer circumference 18b of the bicycle chain 18 when the base component 22 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1 and the bicycle chain 18 moves from a larger front sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket 14) to an adjacent smaller front sprocket (i.e., the second sprocket 16). In this way, the bicycle chain 18 cannot be moved away from the first sprocket 14, except at the marked downshifting regions of the first sprocket 14, as explained below.

[0056] It is preferred, as in the Fig. 11 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 12, the chain limit stop 26 is a component separate from the base component 22. The chain limit stop 26 can be firmly fixed to the base component 22 using a suitable fastening means such as a holder, a binding material, etc. Preferably, the chain limit stop 26 is replaceable, so that it can be removed and reattached. In the illustrated embodiment, the chain limit stop 26 has a fastening element 26b, which is located in a recess 22c of the base component 22 and is fastened to the base component 22 by means of two limit screws B1 and B2. The limit screws B1 and B2 are used to adjust the range of movement of the chain guide 24 to set a maximum extended position and a maximum retracted position of the chain guide 24.However, the chain limit stop 26 can also be designed as a one-piece component with the basic component 22.

[0057] Now, with reference to the Fig. 13, Fig. 14, Fig. 15, Fig. 16, Fig. 17, Fig. 18 to Fig. 19 The first and second sprockets 14 and 16 are discussed in more detail. The first sprocket 14 has a first body section 50 and several first teeth 52. The first teeth 52 are arranged on the outer circumference of the first body section 50. The first teeth 52 have at least one tooth 52a engaging the outer link plate and at least one tooth 52b engaging the inner link plate. The at least one tooth 52a engaging the outer link plate has a first chain engagement tooth width W1 for engaging the outer links of the bicycle chain 18. The at least one tooth 52b engaging the inner link plate has a second chain engagement tooth width W2 for engaging the inner link of the bicycle chain 18. Consequently, the first chain engagement tooth width W1 is larger than the second chain engagement tooth width W2.

[0058] Preferably, the at least one tooth 52a engaging the outer link plate has several teeth 52a engaging the outer link plate, each of which has the first chain engagement tooth width W1. The first chain engagement tooth width W1 is smaller than an outer link space L1 defined between two opposing outer link plates of the bicycle chain 18. The first chain engagement tooth width W1 is larger than an inner link space L2 defined between two opposing inner link plates of the bicycle chain 18. The first chain engagement tooth width W1 of the teeth 52a engaging the outer link plate is preferably in the range of 2.5 mm to 5.4 mm and more preferably in the range of 3.0 mm to 4.5 mm.Similarly, the at least one tooth 52b engaging in the inner link plate has several teeth 52b engaging in the inner link plate, each of which has the second chain engagement tooth width W2. The second chain engagement tooth width W2 is smaller than the inner link space defined between two opposing inner link plates of the bicycle chain 18. The second chain engagement tooth width W2 of the teeth 52b engaging in the inner link plate is preferably in the range of 1.5 mm to 2.3 mm. Teeth 52a engaging in the outer link plate and teeth 52b engaging in the inner link plate are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. Teeth 52a engaging in the outer link plate preferably have a "+" (plus) shape when viewed radially from the outside, as shown in [Figure]. Fig. 17 shown. On the other hand, teeth 52b engaging in the inner flap plate preferably have a “-” (minus) shape when viewed radially from the outside, as shown in Fig. 17 shown.

[0059] The first teeth 52 of the first sprocket 14 have at least one downshift tooth and at least one drive tooth (see Fig. 19). The at least one downshift tooth is located in the indicated downshift region. The at least one downshift tooth (i.e., a disengaging tooth 52b2, described below) has a first radial tooth height H1. The at least one drive tooth has a second radial tooth height H2, which is greater than the first radial tooth height H1. The bicycle chain 18 can move much more easily from the first chainring 14 to the second chainring 16 on the downshift tooth than on the drive tooth, since the radial tooth height of the downshift tooth is smaller than the radial tooth height of the drive tooth. When the front derailleur 12 and the first chainring 14 are used together, the chain limit stop 26 also cooperates with the first teeth 52 of the first chainring 14, so that the bicycle chain 18 reliably moves from the downshift tooth and not from the drive tooth.

[0060] More preferably, the first teeth 52 of the first sprocket 14 have a set of first downshift teeth 54A, a set of second downshift teeth 54B, a set of first drive teeth 56A, and a set of second drive teeth 56B. The first drive teeth 56A are arranged between the first and second downshift teeth 54A and 54B on a side upstream of the first downshift teeth 54A with respect to the chain drive direction CD. The second drive teeth 56B are arranged between the first and second downshift teeth 54A and 54B on a side downstream of the first downshift teeth 54A with respect to the chain drive direction CD.

[0061] The first downshift teeth 54A are designed to define a first predetermined shift gate G1, in which the bicycle chain 18 shifts to the second sprocket 16, thus moving from the first sprocket 14 to the second sprocket 16. The second downshift teeth 54B are designed to define a second predetermined shift gate G2, in which the bicycle chain 18 shifts to the second sprocket 16, thus moving from the first sprocket 14 to the second sprocket 16. Both the first and second predetermined shift gates G1 and G2 feature a release tooth 52b2 with the first radial tooth height H1, two downshift-facilitating teeth 52b1 and 52a1 with the second radial tooth height H2, and a retaining tooth 52a2.The chain 18 is mounted on a sprocket 58 that facilitates downshifting and projects axially from the first chainring 14 towards the second chainring 16. The tooth 52b2, which releases the chain during downshifting, is the first tooth to release the chain 18 from the first chainring 14. Each of the two teeth 52b1 and 52a1 that facilitate downshifting has a chamfer designed to ease the chain 18's movement on the outside, relative to the axial direction. Specifically, the chamfer of the two teeth 52b1 and 52a1 facilitates the chain's inclination towards the second chainring 16 during downshifting.The two teeth 52b1 and 52a1 that facilitate downshifting have a second radial tooth height H2. However, these two teeth can also have a radial tooth height that is smaller than the second radial tooth height H2. The downshifting projection 58 is designed to engage with the bicycle chain 18, which is intended to facilitate the downshifting process after the bicycle chain 18 has been released from the downshifting teeth 52a1 by the chain guide 24, which moves from the extended position to the retracted position. The downshifting projection 58 can be omitted if required and / or desired.Preferably, as shown, the first and second drive teeth 56A and 56B all have the first radial tooth height H1, so that the chain 18 cannot be shifted away from the first sprocket 16 by the chain guide 24, except at the first and second predetermined shift gates G1 and G2.

[0062] In this way, contact is made, as in Fig. Figure 20 shows that the lower surface of the projection 26a of the chain limiting stop 26 encloses the outer circumference 18b of the bicycle chain 18 when the bicycle chain 18 moves from a larger front sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket 14) to an adjacent smaller front sprocket (i.e., the second sprocket 16), thus preventing the bicycle chain 18 from moving away from the first sprocket 14, except at the first and second predetermined shift gates G1 and G2. This is because the gap between the lower surface of the projection 26a and the radial tooth tops of the first and second drive teeth 56A and 56B is too narrow for the bicycle chain 18 to disengage (be released) from the first bicycle sprocket 14 across the gap. As, on the other hand, in Fig. As shown in Figure 21, when the bicycle chain 18 is positioned between the chain stop and one of the first and second predetermined shift gates G1 and G2 during the downshifting process, the gap between the lower surface 26a of the chain stop 26 and the radial upper surface of the tooth 52b2 released during downshifting is larger than the gap between the lower surface 26a and the radial upper surface of the first and second drive teeth 56A and 56B. Thus, the bicycle chain can be released (disengaged) from the first bicycle sprocket 14 at the first and second predetermined shift gates G1 and G2.

[0063] As in the Fig. As can be seen from Figures 13 to 19, the second sprocket 16 has a second body section 60 and several second teeth 62. The second teeth 62 are arranged on the outer circumference of the second body section 60. The total number of second teeth 62 of the second sprocket 16 is less than the total number of first teeth 52 of the first sprocket 14. The second teeth 62 have several teeth 62a engaging in the outer plate and several teeth 62b engaging in the inner plate. Teeth 62a engaging in the outer plate and teeth 62b engaging in the inner plate are arranged alternately in the circumferential direction. Teeth 62a engaging in the outer plate preferably have a "+" (plus) shape when viewed radially from the outside. Conversely, teeth 62b engaging in the inner plate preferably have a "-" (minus) shape when viewed radially from the outside.Accordingly, the axial width of the teeth 62a engaging the outer link plate is greater than the axial width of the teeth 62b engaging the inner link plate. In the illustrated embodiment, the second teeth 62 have tooth configurations that are substantially identical to the tooth configurations of the sprockets disclosed in US Patent US 9,086,138 B1, transferred to Shimano Inc. However, the tooth configurations of the second sprocket 16 are not limited to the illustrated tooth configuration. Since the tooth configurations of the second sprocket 16 could be a conventional or any available tooth configuration, the second sprocket 16 is not discussed in detail herein.

[0064] Now, with reference to the Fig. 22, Fig. 23 to Fig. Figure 24 illustrates a front bicycle derailleur 112 according to a second embodiment. The front bicycle derailleur 112 is designed to shift the bicycle chain 18 laterally between the first and second chainrings 14 and 16 on the part shown in Figure 24. Fig. The front derailleur 112 can be mounted on the bicycle frame illustrated in Figure 1. Here, the front derailleur 112 is a cable-operated front derailleur, which is operatively connected to a shift lever (not shown) using an actuating cable 20. The front derailleur 112 basically comprises a base component 122, a chain guide 124, and a chain stop 126. The front derailleur 112 also has a first coupling component 131 and a second coupling component 132, which connect the base component 122 and the chain guide 124 for lateral movement relative to the bicycle frame 1. Basically, the front derailleur 112 is identical to the front derailleur 12 discussed above, except that the chain stop 126 is located on the chain guide 124 and not on the base component 122.Given the similarities between the front derailleurs 12 and 112, for the sake of brevity only the differences between the front derailleur 112 and the front derailleur 12 will be discussed below.

[0065] Similar to the first embodiment, the chain limit stop 126 is designed to contact the outer circumference 18b of the bicycle chain 18 when the base component 122 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1 (similar to in Fig. 1 recognizable) and the bicycle chain 18 moves from a larger front chainring (i.e., the first chainring 14) to an adjacent smaller front chainring (i.e., the second chainring 16).

[0066] The chain guide 124 has an inner guide plate 140 and an outer guide plate 142. Here, the chain limit stop 126 is arranged on the outer guide plate 142 of the chain guide 124. The chain limit stop 126 is located in front of the inner guide plate 140. In other words, the chain limit stop 126 is located at the front end of the outer guide plate 142. In the second embodiment, the chain limit stop 126 is integrally formed as a single component of the outer guide plate 142. However, the chain limit stop 126 can also be a separate component attached to the outer guide plate 142.

[0067] The outer guide plate 142 has a base plate section 142a and a chain guide section 142b. The chain guide section 142b projects from the base plate section 142a towards the inner guide plate 140. The chain guide section 142b is designed to contact the side surface of the bicycle chain 18 when the base component 122 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1 and the chain guide 124 moves from the extended position to the retracted position. The chain stop 126 is aligned after the chain guide section 142b in a direction parallel to the chain drive direction CD. In this way, the lower surface of the projection 126a of the chain stop 126 contacts the outer circumference 18b of the bicycle chain 18 when the bicycle chain 18 moves from a larger front sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket 14) to an adjacent smaller front sprocket (i.e., the second sprocket 14)., the second chainring 16), thereby preventing the bicycle chain 18 from moving away from the first chainring 14, except at the first and second predetermined shift gates G1 and G2.

[0068] Now, with reference to the Fig. 25, Fig. 26 to Fig. Figure 27 illustrates a front bicycle derailleur 212 according to a third embodiment. The front bicycle derailleur 212 is designed to shift the bicycle chain 18 laterally between the first and second chainrings 14 and 16 on the part shown in Figure 27. Fig. The front derailleur 212 can be mounted on the bicycle frame illustrated in Figure 1. Here, the front derailleur 212 is a cable-operated front derailleur, which is operatively connected to a shift lever (not shown) using an actuating cable 20. The front derailleur 212 basically comprises a base component 222, a chain guide 224, and a chain stop 226. The front derailleur 212 also has a first coupling component 231 and a second coupling component 232, which connect the base component 222 and the chain guide 224 for lateral movement relative to the bicycle frame 1. Basically, the front derailleur 212 is identical to the front derailleur 12 discussed above, except that the chain stop 226 is located on the chain guide 224 and not on the base component 222.Given the similarities between the front derailleurs 12 and 212, for the sake of brevity only the differences between the front derailleur 212 and the front derailleur 12 will be discussed below.

[0069] Similar to the first embodiment, the chain limit stop 226 is designed to contact the outer circumference 18b of the bicycle chain 18 when the base component 222 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1 (similar to in Fig. 1 recognizable) and the bicycle chain 18 moves from a larger front chainring (i.e., the first chainring 14) to an adjacent smaller front chainring (i.e., the second chainring 16).

[0070] The chain guide 224 has an inner guide plate 240, an outer guide plate 242, and a connecting part 248. The connecting part 248 extends between the inner guide plate 240 and the outer guide plate 242. The chain stop 226 is located on the connecting part 248 of the chain guide 224. The chain stop 226 is located at the front end of the chain guide 224. The chain stop 226 has a projection 226a that extends from the connecting part 248 between the inner guide plate 240 and the outer guide plate 242. In this way, the lower surface of the projection 226a contacts the outer circumference 18b of the bicycle chain 18 when the bicycle chain 18 moves from a larger front sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket 14) to an adjacent smaller front sprocket (i.e., the second sprocket 14)., the second sprocket 16), thereby preventing the bicycle chain 18 from moving away from the first sprocket 14, except at the first and second predetermined shift gates G1 and G2. The chain limit stop 226 can, as required and / or desired, either be detachably mounted on the connecting part 248 or be integrally formed as a one-piece component of the connecting part 248.

[0071] Now, with reference to the Fig. 28, Fig. 29, Fig. 30, Fig. 31, Fig. 32, Fig. 33 to Fig. Figure 34 illustrates a front bicycle derailleur 312 according to a fourth embodiment. The front bicycle derailleur 312 is designed to shift the bicycle chain 18 laterally between the first and second chainrings 14 and 16 on the [unclear text]. Fig. The front derailleur 312 can be mounted on the bicycle frame 1 illustrated in Figure 28. More precisely, the front derailleur 312 is a cable-operated front derailleur which is operatively connected to a shift lever (not shown) using an actuating cable 20 in the same manner as in the first embodiment discussed above. Therefore, the front bicycle derailleur 312 is used with the bicycle frame 1 and the first and second chainrings 14 and 16 as discussed above.

[0072] Regarding the Fig. 29, Fig. 30, Fig. 31 to Fig. The front derailleur 312 basically comprises a base component 322 and a chain guide 324. The base component 322 is designed so that it can be mounted on the bicycle frame 1 using a seat tube clamp 325, which is a conventional dropout clamp. The chain guide 324 is movably mounted on the base component 322 so that it can extend from a retracted position ( Fig. 31) into an extended position ( Fig. 32) can move. Similar to the first embodiment, the front derailleur 312 also has a chain limit stop 326 which is mounted on the base component 322. The chain limit stop 326 is designed and arranged with respect to the base component 322 such that the chain 18 contacts the chain limit stop 326 and thus limits the movement of the bicycle chain 18 in a radially outward direction along a central axis of rotation of a front bicycle chainring when the base component 322 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1 and the chain guide 18 moves from an extended position ( Fig. 32) into the retracted position ( Fig. 31) moves. Therefore, the chain limit stop 326 is arranged on one of the chain guide 324 downstream with respect to the chain drive direction CD.

[0073] As in the Fig. 29 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 30, the front derailleur 312 further comprises a first coupling component 331 and a second coupling component 332, which connect the base component 322 and the chain guide 324 to each other for lateral movement relative to the bicycle frame 1. A cable fastening screw 333 is screwed into a threaded bore of the second coupling component 332 for a secure fixation of the shift cable 20b to the second coupling component 332. The connection between the base component 322 and the chain guide 324 via the first and second coupling components 331 and 332 is effected in the same manner as in the first embodiment. Similarly, as in the first embodiment, the front derailleur 312 also has a pretensioning component 334, which is operatively provided between the chain guide 324 and the second coupling component 332 for pretensioning the chain guide 324 into the retracted position. Therefore, as in Fig. 30 recognizable, the pre-tensioning component 334 has a wound section which is mounted on a pivot bolt 336 which pivotably supports the second coupling component 332 on the chain guide 324.

[0074] In principle, the front derailleur 312 is identical to the front derailleur 12 discussed above, except that: (1) the base component 322 is designed so that it can be mounted on the bicycle frame 1 using the seat tube clamp 325; and (2) the chain stop 326 is designed so that it can be elastically deformed by the bicycle chain 18 when the chain 18 is clamped between the head of the tooth of the larger chainring (i.e., the first chainring 14) and the chain stop 326 during an upshift operation from the smaller chainring (i.e., the second chainring 16) to the larger chainring. Given the similarities between the front derailleurs 12 and 312, for the sake of brevity, only the differences between the front derailleur 312 and the front derailleur 12 are discussed here.

[0075] In the fourth embodiment, the basic component 322 is a rigid component made of a suitable material such as a metallic material or a plastic material. As in the Fig. 29 and Fig. As can be seen from Figure 30, the basic component 322 has a frame mounting section 322a, which has a slot 322a1 for receiving a mounting screw FB for mounting the front derailleur 312 to the seat tube clamp 325 (i.e., a mounting clamp). The frame mounting section 322a also has an elongated projection 322a2 for engaging with the seat tube clamp 325 to prevent relative rotation between them. The basic component 322 also has a cable receiving section 322b, which receives the actuating cable 20. The cable receiving section 322b has a stepped bore, such that a cable housing stop surface is formed between a first bore section with a large diameter and a second bore section with a small diameter. The first bore section with a large diameter is dimensioned to receive the cable housing 20a, which abuts the cable housing stop surface.The second bore section with a small diameter is dimensioned so that it can accommodate the shift cable 20b.

[0076] Now we will discuss the chain guide 324. As in the Fig. As shown in Figures 29 to 32, the chain guide 324 is identical to the chain guide 24 of the first embodiment. Therefore, the chain guide 324 has an inner guide plate 340 and an outer guide plate 342. The inner guide plate 340 and the outer guide plate 342 are designed such that a chain guide slot 344 is formed between them, as shown in the Fig. 31 and Fig. 32. The outer guide plate 342 is identical to the outer guide plate 42 of the first embodiment and has a base plate section 342a and a chain guide section 342b, just as discussed in the first embodiment. Similar to the first embodiment, the chain guide 324 further has an upstream connecting part 346, which connects upstream ends of the inner and outer guide plates 340 and 342, and a downstream connecting part 348, which connects downstream ends of the inner and outer guide plates 340 and 342.

[0077] Similar to the first embodiment, the chain limit stop 326 is arranged in front of a front end of the chain guide 324. Also similar to the first embodiment, the chain limit stop 326 is arranged at the first axial distance D1 relative to the inner guide plate 340 while the chain guide 324 is in the extended position. Furthermore, similar to the first embodiment, the chain limit stop 326 is arranged on a downward-facing surface of the base component 322 and has a projection 326a that limits the radially outward movement of the bicycle chain 18 during downshifting, so that the bicycle chain 18 moves from the first chainring 14 to the second chainring 16 only at the marked downshifting regions of the first chainring 14, as explained above in the first embodiment.In this way, the lower surface of the projection 326a of the chain limiting stop 326 is designed to contact the outer circumference 18b of the bicycle chain 18 when the base component 322 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1 and the bicycle chain 18 moves from a larger front sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket 14) to an adjacent smaller front sprocket (i.e., the second sprocket 16).

[0078] Similar to the first embodiment, the chain limit stop 326 is arranged on the base component 322. For example, the chain limit stop 326 is attached to the base component 322 by the limit screws B1 and B2, which are screwed into threaded bores H1 and H2 of the base component 322. More precisely, the chain limit stop 326 has a fastening part 326b, which is located in a recess 322c of the base component 322 and is fixed to the base component 322 by the limit screws B1 and B2. In the fourth embodiment, the fastening part 326b of the chain limit stop 326 is a separate part from the projection 326a of the chain limit stop 326, as discussed below. In this way, the fastening part 326b can be made of a different material than the projection 326a. The fastening part 326b also has the function of limiting the play of the limiting screws B1 and B2.The fastening part 326b' is preferably made of a non-metallic material such as a resin or rubber, so that the limiting screws B1 and B2 are held frictionally in the threaded bores H1 and H2.

[0079] In the fourth embodiment, however, the chain stop 326 is designed such that it can be elastically deformed by the bicycle chain 18, which moves in the radially outward direction when the base component 322 is mounted on the bicycle frame 1 and the chain guide 324 moves from the retracted position to the extended position. More precisely, the chain stop 326 is made at least partially of an elastic material. For example, the chain stop 326 is made at least partially of an elastomer. Therefore, the chain stop 326 is made at least partially of a non-metallic material. Preferably, the chain stop 326 is also made at least partially of a resin material. More precisely, at least the projection 326a of the chain stop 326 is made of an elastic material.

[0080] Specifically, during a shift from a smaller sprocket (i.e., the second sprocket 16) to a larger sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket 14), it can sometimes happen that the chain 18 does not correctly engage with a tooth of the larger sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket, 14). In such a situation, as described in Fig. As can be seen, the chain 18 is lifted onto the head of the tooth of the larger sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket 14) and pressed upwards into the chain stop 326. Consequently, the chain 18 could become jammed between the tooth of the larger sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket 14) and the chain stop 326. However, due to its elastic properties, the chain stop 326 will deform under this force, thus preventing damage to the chain 18 and / or the front derailleur 312. In other words, the chain stop 326 deforms and thus relieves the compressive force from the chain 18. To assist in the elastic deformation of the chain stop 326, the chain stop 326 has an interior space 326c. In this way, the projection 326a can deform into the interior space 326c.In other words, the interior 326c enhances the ability of the chain limit stop 326 to deform when the chain 18 is jammed between the tooth of the larger sprocket (i.e., the first sprocket 14) and the chain limit stop 326.

[0081] Here, the chain stop 326 has a through-hole that encompasses the interior 326c of the chain stop 326. However, the interior 326c can simply be an internal cavity. For example, the interior 326c can be formed as an extension of a mounting bore 326d that holds the mounting part 326b of the chain stop 326 on the projection 326a of the chain stop 326. In this way, an interior can be formed in the projection 326a of the chain stop 326 that is not visible while the chain stop 326 is attached to the base component 322. While in the fourth embodiment the chain stop 326 is mounted on the base component 322, it is evident from this disclosure that the chain stop 326 need not be mounted on the base component 322.Rather, the chain limit stop 326 can also be made of a deformable material and be mounted on the chain guide, i.e. at one end of the inner guide plate 340 and the outer guide plate 342 or the downstream connecting part 348.

[0082] Now, with reference to the Fig. 35, Fig. 36, Fig. 37, Fig. 38, Fig. 39, Fig. 40 to Fig. 41 the front derailleur 312 with a first chainline arrangement ( Fig. 35) using a spacer 329, as shown in the Fig. 37 and Fig. 40 recognizable, and with a second catenary arrangement ( Fig. 36) by omitting the spacer 329, Fig. 37 and Fig. 40, to be used. The first in Fig. The catenary arrangement illustrated in 35 is a wide catenary arrangement. On the other hand, the one in Fig. 36 illustrated second catenary arrangement compared to the one in Fig. Figure 35 illustrates a wide chainline arrangement, a standard or narrow chainline arrangement: As used herein, the term ‘chainline’ refers to the distance between the longitudinal centerline of frame 1 and the centerline of the chainring.

[0083] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 35, the first and second chainrings 14 and 16 and the crank arms CA1 and CA2 are installed as part of the first chainline arrangement, which further includes a bottom bracket BB1, a rear hub RH1, and a rear cassette RS1. In the first chainline arrangement, the rear hub RH1 has a rear frame spacing of 148 millimeters, which is wider than that of the rear hub RH2. To accommodate the wider dimension of the rear hub RH1, the bottom bracket BB1 and / or the crank arm CA1 are designed such that the first and second chainrings 14 and 16 can be mounted so that the centerline of the first chainring 14 is approximately 52 millimeters from the longitudinal centerline of the frame 1.

[0084] As in Fig. As illustrated in Figure 36, the first and second chainrings 14 and 16 and the crank arms CA1 and CA2 are installed as part of the second chainline arrangement, which further includes a bottom bracket BB2, a rear hub RH2, and a rear cassette RS2. In the second chainline arrangement, the rear hub RH2 has a rear frame distance of 17142 millimeters. Therefore, the bottom bracket BB2 and / or the crank arm CA1 are designed such that the first and second chainrings 14 and 16 can be mounted so that the centerline of the first chainring 14 is approximately 49 millimeters from the longitudinal centerline of the frame 1.

[0085] Now, with reference to the Fig. 37, Fig. 38, Fig. 39, Fig. 40 to Fig. 41 The spacer 329 is used for mounting the base component 322 to the seat tube clamp 325. Even though a seat tube clamp is used in the fourth embodiment, it is evident from this disclosure that other types of fittings can also be used with the spacer 329. In any case, the spacer 329 is designed so that it can be selectively arranged between the base component 322 and the seat tube clamp 325 in order to adjust the position of the front derailleur 312 in a direction parallel to the axis of rotation A of the first and second sprockets 14 and 16.

[0086] How best to in the Fig. 39, Fig. 40 to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 41, the derailleur mounting section of the seat tube clamp 325 is provided with a threaded bore 325a and a recess or groove 325b. The threaded bore 325a is designed to receive the fastening screw FB. The groove 325b is designed as shown in the Fig. 38 and Fig. 41, recognizable, the elongated projection 322a2 of the base component 322 accommodates when the spacer 329 is omitted. Therefore, when the spacer 329 is omitted, the position of the front derailleur 312 for the second chainline arrangement of Fig. 36 will be optimized.

[0087] As in the Fig. 39, Fig. 40 to Fig. As can be seen in Figure 41, the spacer 329 is provided with an opening or slot 329a, an elongated projection 329b, and an elongated recess or groove 329c. If the spacer 329 is arranged between the base component 322 and the seat tube clamp 325, as shown in the Fig. 37 and Fig. As can be seen in Figure 40, the fastening screw FB passes through the slot 329a of the spacer 329, and the elongated projection 329b is received in the groove 325b of the seat tube clamp 325. Similarly, when the spacer 329 is arranged between the base component 322 and the seat tube clamp 325, as shown in Figure 40, the fastening screw FB passes through the slot 329a of the spacer 329, and the elongated projection 329b is received in the groove 325b of the seat tube clamp 325. Fig. 40, the elongated projection 322a2 of the base component 322 is received in the groove 329c of the spacer 329. Therefore, when using the spacer 329, the position of the front derailleur 312 for the first chainline arrangement of Fig. 35 will be optimized.

[0088] As used herein, the following directional terms, "frame-facing side," "frame-away side," "forward," "backward," "front," "rear," "above," "below," "over," "under," "up," "down," "top," "bottom," "sideways," "vertical," "horizontal," "perpendicular," and "transverse," as well as all other similar directional terms, refer to those directions of a bicycle in an upright riding position, equipped with the front derailleur. Consequently, these directional terms, as used to describe the front derailleur, should be interpreted in relation to a bicycle in an upright riding position on a horizontal surface, equipped with the front derailleur. The terms "left" and "right" are intended to indicate "right" when viewed from the rear of the bicycle, and "left" when viewed from the rear of the bicycle, respectively.

[0089] In addition to the embodiments listed above, this invention can also be applied to an electric front derailleur which has an electric motor for actuating a coupling mechanism for moving a chain guide in accordance with an electrical signal. REFERENCE MARK LIST 1 bicycle frame 10 Bicycle drivetrain assembly 12 front bicycle derailleur 14 first sprocket 16 second sprocket 18 bicycle chain 18a Side surface 18b External circumference 20 operating ropes 20a Cable housing 20b shift cable 22 Basic component 22a Frame assembly section 22b Recording section . 22c recess 24 chain guide 26 chain limit stop 26a advantage 26b Fastening part 31 first coupling component 32 second coupling component 33 Rope fastening screw 34 Preload component 36 pivot bolts 38 Stand-up collars 40 inner guide plate 42 outer guide plate 42a Base plate section 42b Chain guide section 42c contactless room 44 chain guide slots 46 upstream connecting part 48 downstream connecting part 50 first body section 52 first teeth 52a Tooth engaging in the outer flap plate 52b Tooth engaging in the inner flap plate 52a1 the tooth facilitating downshifting 52a2 tooth holding the lead 52b1 the downshifting facilitating tooth 52b2 releasing tooth during downshifting 54A first downshift teeth 54B second downshift teeth 56A first drive teeth 56B second drive teeth 58, making downshifting easier, advantage 60 second body section 62 second teeth 62a Teeth engaging in the outer flap 62b teeth engaging in the inner flap 112 front bicycle derailleur 122 Basic component 124 Chain guide 126 Chain limit stop 126a advantage 131 first coupling component 132 second coupling component 140 inner guide plate 142 outer guide plate 142a Base plate section 142b Chain guide section 212 front bicycle derailleur 222 Basic component 224 Chain guide 226 Chain limit stop 226a advantage 231 first coupling component 232 second coupling component 240 inner guide plate 242 outer guide plate 248 Connecting part 312 front bicycle derailleur 322 Basic component 322a Frame assembly section 322a1 Slot 322a2 elongated projection 322b Rope receiving section 322c recess 324 Chain guide 325 seat tube clamp 325a Threaded hole 325b Recess / groove 326 Chain limit stop 326a advantage 326b Fastening part 326c Interior 329 spacers 329a Opening / Slot 329b elongated protrusion. 329c elongated recess / groove 331 first coupling component 332 second coupling component 333 Rope fastening screw 334 Preload component 336 pivot bolts 340 inner guide plate 342 outer guide plate 342a Base plate section 342b Chain guide section 344 chain guide slot 346 upstream connecting part 348 downstream connecting part A central axis B1 Limiting screw B2 Limiting screw BB1 bottom bracket BB2 bottom bracket CA1 crank arm CA2 crank arm CD chain drive direction D1 first axial distance D2 second axial distance FB mounting screw G1 first predetermined shift gate G2 second predetermined shift gate H1 first radial tooth height / threaded hole H2 second radial tooth height / threaded hole L1 Outer flap space L2 inner flap space P1 first pivot axis P2 second pivot axis P3 third pivot axis P4 fourth pivot axis RH1 rear wheel hub RH2 rear wheel hub RS1 rear sprocket cassette RS2 rear sprocket cassette W1 first chain engagement tooth width W2 second chain engagement tooth width

Claims

[1] Front bicycle derailleur (12, 112, 212, 312), comprising: a basic component (22, 122, 222, 322) designed in such a way that it can be mounted on a bicycle frame (1); a chain guide (24, 124, 224, 324) designed to be movably coupled to the base component (22, 122, 222, 322) between a retracted position and an extended position for moving a bicycle chain (18); and a chain limiting stop (26, 126, 226, 326) configured to limit the movement of the bicycle chain (18) in a radially outward direction around a pivot axis (A) of a front bicycle sprocket (14, 16) when the base component (22, 122, 222, 322) is mounted on the bicycle frame (1) and the chain guide (24, 124, 224, 324) moves from the extended position to the retracted position, and to contact a radially outwardly directed outer surface (18b) of the bicycle chain (18) when the base component (22, 122, 222, 322) is mounted on the bicycle frame (1) and the bicycle chain (18) moves from a larger front sprocket (14) to an adjacent smaller front sprocket (16), wherein the chain guide (24, 124, 224, 324) has an inner guide plate (40, 140, 240, 340) and an outer guide plate (42, 142, 242, 342), wherein the outer guide plate (42, 142, 242, 342) has a base plate section (42a, 142a, 342a) and a chain guide section (42b, 142b, 342b) which projects from the base plate section (42a, 142a, 342a) in the direction of the inner guide plate (40, 140, 240, 340), wherein the chain guide section (42b, 142b, 342b) is configured such that it contacts a side surface (18a) of the bicycle chain (18) when the base component (22, 122, 222, 322) is mounted on the bicycle frame (1) and the chain guide (24, 124, 224, 324) moves from the extended position to the retracted position, characterized by , that the chain limit stop (26, 126, 226, 326) is arranged downstream of the chain guide section (42b, 142b, 342b) in the chain drive direction (CD). [2] Front bicycle derailleur (12, 312) according to claim 1, wherein a first axial distance (D1) defined between the chain limit stop (26, 326) and the inner guide plate (40, 340) is smaller than a second axial distance (D2) defined between the chain guide section (42b, 342b) and the inner guide plate (40, 340). [3] Front bicycle derailleur (12) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the outer guide plate (42) is designed such that in the chain drive direction (CD) a non-contact space (42c) is defined between the chain limit stop (26) and the chain guide section (42b), wherein the non-contact space (42c) is designed such that it does not contact the bicycle chain (18) when the base component (22) is mounted on the bicycle frame (1) and the chain guide (24) moves from the extended position to the retracted position. [4] Front bicycle derailleur (12; 312) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain limit stop (26; 326) is arranged on the base component (22, 322). [5] Front bicycle derailleur (12, 312) according to claim 4, wherein the chain limit stop (26, 326) is arranged at the front end of the base component (22, 322). [6] Front bicycle derailleur (12, 312) according to claim 4 or 5, wherein the chain limit stop (26, 326) is arranged on a downwardly facing surface of the base component (22, 322). [7] Front bicycle derailleur (12, 312) according to claim 6, wherein the chain limit stop (26, 326) has a projection (26a, 326a) which, viewed from a direction perpendicular to the axis of rotation (A), is arranged between the inner guide plate (40, 340) and the outer guide plate (42, 342) when the base component (22, 322) is mounted on the bicycle frame (1). [8] Front bicycle derailleur (112) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chain limit stop (126) is arranged on the outer guide plate (142) of the chain guide (124). [9] Front bicycle derailleur (112) according to claim 8, wherein the chain limit stop (126) is arranged in front of the inner guide plate (140). [10] Front bicycle derailleur (112) according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the chain limit stop (126) is integrally formed as a one-piece component from the outer guide plate (142). [11] Front bicycle derailleur (112) according to one of claims 8 to 10, wherein the chain limit stop (126) is arranged at the front end of the outer guide plate (142). [12] Front bicycle derailleur (212) according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the chain guide (224) has a connecting part (248) which runs between the inner guide plate (240) and the outer guide plate (242), wherein the chain limit stop (226) is arranged on the connecting part (248) of the chain guide (224). [13] Front bicycle derailleur (212) according to claim 12, wherein the chain limit stop (226) is arranged at the front end of the chain guide (224). [14] Front bicycle derailleur (212) according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the chain limit stop (226) has a projection (226a) extending from the connecting part (248) between the inner guide plate (240) and the outer guide plate (242). [15] Front bicycle derailleur (312) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain limit stop (326) is made at least partially of an elastic material. [16] Front bicycle derailleur (312) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain limit stop (326) is designed such that it can be elastically deformed by the bicycle chain (18) moving in the radially outward direction when the base component (322) is mounted on the bicycle frame (1) and the chain guide (324) moves from the retracted position to the extended position. [17] Front bicycle derailleur (12, 112, 212, 312) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain limit stop (26, 126, 226, 326) is made at least partially of a non-metallic material. [18] Front bicycle derailleur (12, 112, 212, 312) according to claim 17, wherein the chain limit stop (26, 126, 226, 326) is at least partially made of a resin material. [19] Front bicycle derailleur (12, 112, 212, 312) according to claim 17, wherein the chain limit stop (26, 126, 226, 326) is at least partially made of an elastomer. [20] Front bicycle derailleur (312) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the chain limit stop (326) has an interior (326c). [21] Front bicycle derailleur (312) according to claim 20, wherein the chain limit stop (326) has a through-hole that encompasses the interior (326c) of the chain limit stop (326). [22] Bicycle drivetrain assembly (10) comprising the front bicycle derailleur (12, 112, 212, 312) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the bicycle drivetrain assembly (10) further comprises: the larger front sprocket (14) having a first body section (50) and several first teeth (52) arranged on the outer circumference of the first body section (50); and the smaller front sprocket (16) which has a second body section (60) and several second teeth (62) arranged on the outer circumference of the second body section (60), where the total number of second teeth (62) of the smaller front sprocket (16) is less than the total number of first teeth (52) of the larger front sprocket (14). [23] Bicycle drivetrain assembly (10) according to claim 22, wherein the first teeth (52) of the larger front sprocket (14) have a set of downshift teeth (54A, 54B) designed to define a predetermined shift gate (G1, G2) in which the bicycle chain (18) shifts towards the smaller front sprocket (16) in order to move from the larger front sprocket (14) to the smaller front sprocket (16). [24] Bicycle drivetrain assembly (10) according to claim 22 or 23, wherein the first teeth (52) of the larger front sprocket (14) comprise a set of first downshift teeth (54A), a set of second downshift teeth (54B), a set of first drive teeth (56A) and a set of second drive teeth (56B), wherein the first downshift teeth (54A) are configured to define a first predetermined shift gate (G1) in which the bicycle chain (18) shifts towards the smaller front sprocket (16) in order to move from the larger front sprocket (14) to the smaller front sprocket (16), wherein the second downshift teeth (54B) are designed to define a second predetermined shift gate (G2) in which the bicycle chain (18) shifts towards the smaller front sprocket (16) in order to move from the larger front sprocket (14) to the smaller front sprocket (16), wherein the first drive teeth (56A) are arranged between the first and second downshift teeth (54A, 54B) on a side upstream of the first downshift teeth (54A) with respect to the chain drive direction (CD), and wherein the second drive teeth (56B) are arranged between the first and second downshift teeth (54A, 54B) on a side downstream of the first downshift teeth (54A) with respect to the chain drive direction (CD). [25] Bicycle drivetrain assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 24, wherein the first teeth (52) of the larger front sprocket (14) have at least one downshift tooth (52b1, 52a1, 52b2) and at least one drive tooth (52a, 52b), which has at least one downshift tooth (52b1, 52a1, 52b2) having a first radial tooth height (H1), and which at least one drive tooth (52a, 52b) has a second radial tooth height (H2) that is greater than the first radial tooth height (H1). [26] Bicycle drivetrain assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims 22 to 25, wherein the multiple first teeth (52): at least one tooth (52a) engaging in an outer plate of the bicycle chain (18) with a first chain engagement tooth width (W1) and have at least one tooth (52b) engaging in an inner link plate of the bicycle chain (18) with a second chain engagement tooth width (W2), the first chain engagement tooth width (W1) is larger than an inner plate space (L2) defined between two opposing inner plate plates of the bicycle chain (18), and is smaller than an outer plate space (L1) defined between two opposing outer plate plates of the bicycle chain (18), and , the second chain engagement tooth width (W2) is smaller than the inner link space (L2). [27] Front bicycle derailleur (312) according to claim 16, wherein the chain limit stop (326) is arranged on the base component (322). [28] Front bicycle derailleur (312) according to claim 27, wherein the chain limit stop (326) is arranged in front of a front end of the chain guide (324). [29] Front bicycle derailleur (312) according to claim 27 or 28, wherein the chain limit stop (326) is made at least partially of a non-metallic material. [30] Front bicycle derailleur (312) according to one of claims 27 to 29, wherein the chain limit stop (326) has an interior (326c). [31] Front bicycle derailleur (312) according to claim 30, wherein the chain limit stop (326) has a through-hole that encompasses the interior (326c) of the chain limit stop (326).

Images