The design of high-performance bicycle brakes is complicated by the competing design objectives of increased performance and low weight. Rigid-body replacement synthesis involves designing for identifying a rigid-body mechanism that accomplishes the desired function and then converting the design into a compliant mechanism.

This conversion process can be achieved by two approaches.

1. Decompose a complex mech-anism into mechanisms that have a simpler function,and then replace the respective mechanism with a compliant counterpart.

2. Replace the rigid-body elements with a compliant counterpart. Permutations of compliant mechanisms can be found by using type synthesis.

A compliant bicycle brake concept was developed that has the potential for weight reduction and performs similarly to the benchmark (modified dual pivot design). The brake undergoes the desired operating deflection and the flexible beam’s stress is below the allowable fatigue strength. This analysis was performed on two materials: titanium and e-glass.

The potential for weight reduction comes from the removal of material by eliminating the cam and cam follower surface of the benchmark. Also, this concept removes the need of four accessory components, thus reducing assembly and further reducing weight.

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