Abstract: A bicycle frame includes a front frame having a cross bar, a rear frame including a center post, and a leaf-spring-like flexible plate interconnecting the cross bar to the center post. A shock-absorbing member is pivotally secured at its ends to the front end of the cross bar and to the bottom of the center post in a triangular arrangement. The shock-absorbing member includes a coil spring that stores energy as the shock absorber member is extended in a first direction and the frame is expanded, which energy is returned to the bicycle frame upon relaxation of the coil spring. However, the shock-absorbing member is substantially incompressible in the opposite direction so that it prevents the front and rear frames from collapsing undesirably. This also allows forces to be transmitted from the front frame to the rear frame through the shock-absorbing member in the second opposite direction thus taking some stress off of the flexible plate.

Abstract: A bicycle frame having a front frame portion with a rearwardly extending crossbar of elliptical cross-section, the major elliptical axis of which is vertically oriented. The rear of the crossbar is gradually tapered by flattening and widening into a substantially equilateral triangular configuration and then sharply reduced to an oblong horizontally extending opening where it is connected to a rear frame by a flexible spring connection.

Abstract: A bicycle frame has front and rear frame portions interconnected at their top by a flexible spring connection, that allows relative vertical flexing of the frame portions, and by a tension cable and compression spring between a forward portion of the front frame portion and a lower portion of the rear frame portion. Integral stiffening means included with the vertical center post member of the rear frame portion and with the horizontal crossbar assembly of the front frame portion are provided to minimize the tendency of the front portion of the frame to yaw laterally from side to side relative to the rear frame.