  Obtaining reliable estimates of the statistical properties of complex
macromolecules by computer simulation is a task that requires high
computational effort as well as the development of highly efficient simulation
algorithms. We present here an algorithm combining local moves, the pivot
algorithm, and an adjustable simulation lattice box for simulating dilute
systems of bottle-brush polymers with a flexible backbone and flexible side
chains under good solvent conditions. Applying this algorithm to the bond
fluctuation model, very precise estimates of the mean square end-to-end
distances and gyration radii of the backbone and side chains are obtained, and
the conformational properties of such a complex macromolecule are studied.
Varying the backbone length (from $N_b=67$ to $N_b=1027$), side chain length
(from N=0 to N=24 or 48), the scaling predictions for the backbone behavior as
well as the side chain behavior are checked. We are also able to give a direct
comparison of the structure factor between experimental data and the simulation
results.
