Abstract: A bicycle including a main frame, a front wheel mounted for rotation relative to the main frame. a rear dropout, and a rear wheel mounted for rotation relative to the rear dropout about an axis. The rear wheel defines a center plane of the bicycle and is driven by a chain. The bicycle also includes a seat stay coupling the rear dropout to the main frame. The seat stay has an inner surface facing the rear wheel and an outer surface facing away from the rear wheel. The seat stay includes a steep portion having an outer surface disposed at a steep angle of between about 25 degrees and about 75 degrees relative to the center plane, and at least a portion of the steep portion is disposed outboard of the chain.

Abstract: A stem assembly for a bicycle that includes a handlebar and a fork having a steerer. The fork is coupled to a wheel and is rotatable about a steering axis to turn the wheel. The stem assembly includes a stem that has a steerer aperture configured to receive the steerer and a handlebar receiving portion configured to receive the handlebar. A wedge is at least partially disposed within the steerer aperture and partially surrounds the steerer aperture. The wedge includes a tapered surface that defines an angle between the steering axis and the stem.

Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. Each of the fork legs defines a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. Also disclosed is a preferred method of manufacturing the wheel support.

Abstract: A bicycle fork assembly that includes a fork having a fork crown, a steerer tube, and a transition that couples the fork crown to the steerer tube to define a transition point between the transition and the steerer tube. The transition has an outer dimension that increases from the steerer tube toward the fork crown. A bearing is configured to rotatably support the fork within a head tube of a bicycle frame, and the bearing is located adjacent the transition point.

Abstract: A stem for a bicycle. The stem including a clamp portion that defines a fork-receiving aperture having a size and a first flange that is integrally-formed as part of the clamp portion and extends from the clamp portion. A second flange is integrally-formed as part of the clamp portion and extends from the clamp portion. The second flange is spaced apart from the first flange and a first clamp interface member is in contact with the first flange. A second clamp interface member is in contact with the second flange such that movement of one of the first clamp interface member and the second clamp interface member toward the other of the first clamp interface member and the second clamp interface member reduces the size of the fork-receiving aperture.

Abstract: A steering interface for a bicycle including a front fork. The steering interface includes a handlebar formed as a separate component and a stem including an attachment portion and a bar-receiving portion. The attachment portion is adapted to engage the front fork to connect the stem to the bicycle. At least a portion of the bar-receiving portion is formed around a portion of the handlebar such that the handlebar and the stem are integrated into a single component.

Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. Each of the fork legs defines a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. Also disclosed is a preferred method of manufacturing the wheel support.

Abstract: A bicycle designed to reduce the transfer of vibrations to the rider. The bicycle includes a frame having a first frame element and a second frame element. A first wheel is coupled to the frame and a damping member is disposed between the first frame element and the second frame element. The damping member provides vibration damping between the first frame element and the second frame element.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame having a main frame portion and an articulating frame portion pivotally mounted to the main frame portion and carrying a rear wheel of the bicycle. A shock absorber preferably is operably connected between the main frame portion and the articulating frame portion. Preferably, the top tube and down tube of the main frame contact one another for a distance extending rearwardly from the head tube of the main frame. In one arrangement, the down tube has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A bicycle designed to reduce the transfer of vibrations to the rider. The bicycle includes a seatpost assembly comprising an inner member, an outer member at least partially surrounding a portion of the inner member, and a damping member disposed between the inner member and the outer member. The damping member provides vibration damping between the frame and the seat. Preferably, the inner member includes a necked portion positioned within the damping member. In addition, the damping member can include a body portion positioned inside the outer member and a head portion positioned longitudinally adjacent the outer member. The concepts of the present invention are also applicable to frame members of the bicycle frame, such as the chainstays, the seatstays, and the fork.

Abstract: A bicycle fork assembly designed to reduce the transfer of vibrations to the rider. This is accomplished by providing a damping member (e.g., made of a molded elastomer) that completely surrounds the outer surface of a fork member. Preferably, the damping member is in tension when mounted on the fork member such that the damping member compresses the fork member to thereby reduce transmission of vibrations through the fork. In addition, the fork member can be provided with a necked portion that receives the damping member. Preferably, the damping member is positioned closer to the fork tip than to the fork crown. The damping member can comprise two portions having different colors, durometers, and densities. Preferably, the damping member is formed separate from the fork member, and subsequently slid onto the outer surface of the fork member. Alternatively, the damping member could be molded in place on the fork member.

Abstract: A handlebar assembly comprising a handlebar, an outer member at least partially surrounding a portion of the handlebar and positioned to be clamped by a steering stem, and a damping member disposed between the handlebar and the outer member.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame having a main frame portion and an articulating frame portion pivotally mounted to the main frame portion and carrying a rear wheel of the bicycle. A shock absorber preferably is operably connected between the main frame portion and the articulating frame portion. Preferably, the top tube and down tube of the main frame contact one another for a distance extending rearwardly from the head tube of the main frame. In one arrangement, the down tube has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: Adjustable bicycle handlebars comprise a mounting member adapted to be attached to a bicycle frame and right and left handlebars that are mounted on the mounting member to swing between standard positions in which they extend generally downwardly and laterally outwardly in opposite directions from the mounting member and aero positions in which they extend generally forwardly from the mounting member in closely adjacent relation. The handlebars are interconnected for coordinated swinging movement between the standard and aero positions so that when either of them is moved between the positions the other moves with it. Each handlebar has an armrest portion adapted to support a portion of the forearm of a rider when the handlebar is in the aero position. Also, each handlebar has an elongated body portion adjacent the mounting member and a handgrip portion remote from the mounting member that extends generally vertically when the handlebar is in the aero position.

Abstract: A caliper brake for a bicycle comprises a pair of pivot mounts, one of which is mounted on a bicycle member laterally of a wheel rim, one on either side of the wheel. A brake arm is pivotally mounted in cantilevered relation on each pivot mount adjacent its lower end, is biassed away from the wheel rim, and carries a brake shoe intermediate its ends. A guide is affixed to a member of the bicycle above the wheel. A brake lever cable is connected directly to the upper end of one brake arm. A sheath of the brake lever cable terminates in spaced-apart relation to the upper end of the one brake arm to which the cable is attached and has its end received in a holder. A yoke cable is affixed to the upper end of the other brake arm, passes partway around the guide and is affixed to the sheath holder.

Abstract: A replaceable bicycle derailleur hanger comprises a plate-like dropout member and a plate-like hanger member. A coupling portion of the hanger member is bifurcated to form legs defining a slot, and a dropout portion of a dropout member is received in the slot with a close fit. One or more removable fasteners join the two members at their overlapping juncture.