Abstract: A bicycle seat support comprising a lower engagement member, an upper engagement member, and a compliant support assembly coupling the upper engagement member to the lower engagement member. In one embodiment, the bicycle seat support further comprises an angular adjustment mechanism coupled to the upper engagement member and configured to adjust an angle of the upper engagement member relative to the lower engagement member. For example, the angular adjustment mechanism can comprise a lower link coupled (e.g., cantilevered) to the lower engagement member and an intermediate link coupled (e.g., pivotally) between the lower link and the upper engagement member. In one embodiment, the seat support further comprises a bottom out beam cantilevered to the lower engagement member. The bottom out beam is positioned to inhibit downward movement of the upper engagement member after the upper engagement member has deflected downward.

Abstract: Various bicycle brake assemblies are described. In some embodiments, a bicycle brake assembly for applying a braking force to a wheel comprises a brake arm comprising a frame pivot joint and a brake pad pivot joint, the frame pivot joint configured to pivotally connect the brake arm to a bicycle frame to enable pivoting of the brake arm about a first axis of rotation; and a brake pad pivotally coupled to the brake arm at the brake pad pivot joint to enable pivoting of the brake pad about a second axis of rotation, the brake pad comprising a braking surface for engaging a wheel rim to apply a frictional force to the wheel rim, the frictional force having a frictional direction, wherein the first axis of rotation is not parallel to the frictional direction of the frictional force.

Abstract: A bicycle includes front and rear wheels, a frame supported on the front and rear wheels, and a seat post. The frame includes a seat tube having an upper end with a rear wall and a side wall, and the seat post is positioned at least partially inside the seat tube and is secured to the seat tube at a securing location spaced from the upper end. The rear wall of the upper end of the seat tube is spaced from the seat post by a first gap, and the side wall of the upper end of the seat tube is spaced from the seat post by a second gap that is smaller than the first gap. The seat tube has an effective length from a crank axis to the upper end, and the securing location is preferably spaced from the upper end by a distance that is at least 5% of the effective length.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle comprising front and rear wheels, a frame supported on the front and rear wheels and including a front fork. The front fork comprises a steerer tube defining a steering axis, a fork blade coupled to and extending downward relative to the steerer tube, and a fork tip coupled between the fork blade and the front wheel. The fork tip includes a first arm extending at an angle of 40-85 degrees relative to the steering axis, a second arm extending at an angle of 70-120 degrees relative to the steering axis, and an axle support coupled between the second arm and the front wheel. In one embodiment, the first arm and second arm define a gap, and the fork tip further includes a resilient member positioned in the gap.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle comprising front and rear wheels and a frame including a main frame having a head tube and a top tube secured to the head tube at an intersection spaced from an upper end of the head tube. The intersection has a first lateral width, and the head tube above the intersection includes a tapered portion that tapers to a second lateral width narrower than the first lateral width. For example, the first lateral width can be at least three percent wider than the second lateral width. In one embodiment, the head tube above the tapered portion includes a flared portion that flares to a third lateral width wider (e.g., at least ten percent wider) than the second lateral width. In addition, the tapered portion can include a length that is larger (e.g., at least one hundred percent larger) than the second lateral width.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame, a fork rotationally coupled to the frame within a head tube of the frame, and a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork. The fork has a steerer tube, and the bicycle further includes a stem that is coupled to the steerer tube, and a handlebar coupled to the stem for steering the wheel. The handlebar supports an actuator adapted to control a bicycle component. The bicycle also includes a cable housing that is disposed in the handlebar, and a cable that is coupled to the actuator and routed internally within the handlebar and the stem toward the head tube. The portion of the cable within the handlebar is routed through the cable housing, and the portion of the cable within the stem is exposed.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame, a fork rotationally coupled to the frame within a head tube of the frame, and a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork. The fork has a steerer tube, and the bicycle further includes a stem that is coupled to the steerer tube, and a handlebar coupled to the stem for steering the wheel. The handlebar supports an actuator adapted to control a bicycle component. The bicycle also includes a cable housing that is disposed in the handlebar, and a cable that is coupled to the actuator and routed internally within the handlebar and the stem toward the head tube. The portion of the cable within the handlebar is routed through the cable housing, and the portion of the cable within the stem is exposed.

Abstract: A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a bicycle frame assembly supported on the front and rear wheels. The bicycle frame assembly includes a front fork supported by the front wheel, and a main frame that has a head tube and a down tube extending rearward and downwardly relative to the head tube. The down tube has a front wall, a rear wall, and an internal strut connecting the front wall and the rear wall.

Abstract: A bicycle assembly can include a main frame having a bottom bracket shell to receive a bottom bracket. The bottom bracket shell can be made of carbon fiber with one or more metal rings to serve as bearing surfaces within the bottom bracket shell. The metal rings may also be split metal rings with a gap between two spaced apart ends.

Abstract: Various bicycle brake assemblies are described. In some embodiments, a bicycle brake assembly for applying a braking force to a wheel comprises a brake arm comprising a frame pivot joint and a brake pad pivot joint, the frame pivot joint configured to pivotally connect the brake arm to a bicycle frame to enable pivoting of the brake arm about a first axis of rotation; and a brake pad pivotally coupled to the brake arm at the brake pad pivot joint to enable pivoting of the brake pad about a second axis of rotation, the brake pad comprising a braking surface for engaging a wheel rim to apply a frictional force to the wheel rim, the frictional force having a frictional direction, wherein the first axis of rotation is not parallel to the frictional direction of the frictional force.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle comprising front and rear wheels and a frame including a main frame having a head tube and a top tube secured to the head tube at an intersection spaced from an upper end of the head tube. The intersection has a first lateral width, and the head tube above the intersection includes a tapered portion that tapers to a second lateral width narrower than the first lateral width. For example, the first lateral width can be at least three percent wider than the second lateral width. In one embodiment, the head tube above the tapered portion includes a flared portion that flares to a third lateral width wider (e.g., at least ten percent wider) than the second lateral width. In addition, the tapered portion can include a length that is larger (e.g., at least one hundred percent larger) than the second lateral width.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle having front and rear wheels, a frame supported by the wheels, and a brake system. The brake system includes a caliper arm pivotally coupled to the frame at a pivot point, a pad secured to the caliper arm at a location spaced from the pivot point by a first distance, and an actuator (e.g., a hydraulic piston) positioned to apply a force to the caliper arm at a location that is spaced from the pivot point by a second distance less than the first distance. Preferably, the actuating location is positioned between the pivot axis and the pad. In addition, it is preferred to have a ratio of the first distance to the second distance be at least 4.0, preferably at least 6.0, and more preferably about 8.0.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle comprising wheels and a frame supported on the wheels. The frame includes a seatstay assembly defining a seatstay axis and including a spring assembly having a spring member (e.g., a leaf spring) at an angle of at least 5 degrees relative to the seatstay axis. The spring member has a width that is at least 4 times larger than its thickness. The present invention also provides a bicycle comprising a frame that includes a seat tube and a seatstay assembly defining a seatstay axis. The seatstay assembly includes a spring member offset from the seatstay axis and non-parallel to the seatstay axis. In one embodiment, the seatstay assembly further includes a seatstay tube, and the spring member includes a rear portion secured to the seastay tube. The spring member can also include a front portion secured to a seat tube of the bicycle frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle comprising front and rear wheels, a frame supported on the front and rear wheels and including a front fork. The front fork comprises a steerer tube defining a steering axis, a fork blade coupled to and extending downward relative to the steerer tube, and a fork tip coupled between the fork blade and the front wheel. The fork tip includes a first arm extending at an angle of 40-85 degrees relative to the steering axis, a second arm extending at an angle of 70-120 degrees relative to the steering axis, and an axle support coupled between the second arm and the front wheel. In one embodiment, the first arm and second arm define a gap, and the fork tip further includes a resilient member positioned in the gap.

Abstract: A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a bicycle frame assembly supported on the front and rear wheels. The bicycle frame assembly includes a front fork supported by the front wheel, and a main frame that has a head tube and a down tube extending rearward and downwardly relative to the head tube. The down tube has a front wall, a rear wall, and an internal strut connecting the front wall and the rear wall.

Abstract: A method of designing and manufacturing a model of bicycles in such a manner that the size (e.g., diameter) of the head tube bearings and/or the stiffness of the forks varies between frame sizes. The method includes selecting first and lower headset bearing sizes for the first and second frame sizes, respectively, wherein the first lower headset bearing size is different than the second lower headset bearing size. The method further includes manufacturing first bicycles of the first frame size and second bicycles of the second frame size, and coupling first and second lower headset bearings to the first and second bicycles, respectively. The same model designations are then attached to each of the first and second bicycles. This same method can also be used with models having more than two frame sizes. The difference in size of the lower headset bearings and/or fork steerer tubes can be substantially proportional to the difference in length of the seat tube.