Abstract: A fork assembly comprising a stiff steerer tube made of metal or the like, a generally hollow unitary crown and blade component made of molded resin-impregnated fibrous material, and a connecting assembly for interconnecting the steerer tube to the unitary crown and blade component at a first position above and a second position below a bicycle head tube. The blades of the unitary component have a lower portion for wheel attachment, an upper portion for attachment at the first steerer tube position, and an intermediate crown portion integrally uniting the upper and lower blade portions and a crowned boss for attachment at the second steerer tube position. The steerer assembly may include a laterally extending anchor member which is captured in the crown boss as it is molded from the resin-impregnated fibrous material. The anchor member may have downwardly projecting legs laminated between overlapped wall sections of the crown portions of the blades.

Abstract: A fork assembly including a stiff steerer tube assembly of metal or the like connected to a generally hollow unitary crown and blade component made of molded resin impregnated fibrous material. The unitary component has at least two adjacent wall sections united by an integrally uniting junction formed by overlapped parts of the sections having sufficiently intimate contact therebetween for stress loadings to be transferred from fiber to fiber across the juncture. The steerer assembly may include a laterally extending and downwardly projecting anchor member which is adhered to an inside surface of the unitary component and may be laminated between overlapping wall sections.

Abstract: A composite material bicycle frame having a single, cantilevered rear wheel suspension member. The rear wheel suspension member is integrally formed into the composite material bicycle frame and is formed with an elliptical cross-section having the major axis thereof disposed horizontally. The elliptical cross-section provides in-plane flexibility to the rear wheel suspension and out-of-plane rigidity. Internal and external vibration dampening devices are provided to dampen rear wheel vibration.