Abstract: A bicycle including a suspension system operably positioned between the bicycle frame and at least one of the front wheel and rear wheel of the bicycle. The suspension system includes a damping system including a first valve and a second valve, which cooperate to provide desirable damping forces throughout a broad range of relative velocities of the suspension system, while also being relatively lightweight and compact. The first valve includes a first orifice and a first valve body configured to regulate fluid flow through the first orifice. The second valve includes a second orifice. In one arrangement, the second orifice is defined by the first valve body. In another arrangement, the second valve includes a second valve body configured to regulate fluid flow through the second orifice.

Abstract: A bicycle having a wheel and a frame supported by the wheel. The frame includes a wheel support and a stay extending from the wheel support. A stay protector resiliently engages the stay. In one embodiment, the stay includes a tubular-shaped member having an exterior surface, and the stay protector is contoured to substantially match the exterior surface.

Abstract: A bicycle comprising a frame including a head tube, a fork rotationally coupled to the head tube, and a wheel rotationally coupled to the fork. The fork includes a crown, two legs extending downward from the crown, and a steerer tube extending upward from the crown and through the head tube. A handlebar and brake assembly is detachably secured to the fork. The assembly includes a stem, a handlebar secured to the stem, a clamp secured to an upper end of the steerer tube, a strap secured to the crown, a brake mount supported by the stem, and a brake secured to the brake mount. In one embodiment, the stem is hollow, and the bicycle further includes a brake cable to move the brake. In this embodiment, the brake cable and the brake are at least partially positioned within the hollow stem.

Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.

Abstract: A bicycle helmet has a body with a concave inner surface configured to permit the helmet to fit a user's head. The helmet also includes a reinforcement structure having a plurality of separate frames interconnected with each other, at least one of the plurality of frames comprising a unidirectional filament, wherein the reinforcement structure engages the body.

Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.

Abstract: A shock absorber includes a tube and a piston rod carrying a piston. The piston is configured for reciprocal movement within the tube. A floating piston, or other type of accumulator, is configured to move to accommodate fluid displaced due to successive portions of the piston rod entering the tube during compression of the shock absorber. The shock absorber includes a valve mechanism that utilizes the movement of the floating piston to move the valve between a first and second position, which preferably are open and closed positions.

Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.

Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.

Abstract: A bicycle gear crank that allows easy and proper circumferential position adjustment of the gear plate with respect to the crank arm. The bicycle gear crank includes a crank arm having a base end provided with a boss for mounting to a crank shaft an annular intermediate member non-rotatably around the boss 11a; a gear mount 3 which is supported non-rotatably fixed to the intermediate member, gear plates fixed around the gear mount, and a positional adjuster provided by spline fitting for changing relative circumferential position of the gear mount with respect to the intermediate member.

Abstract: A damper for a bicycle having, in one arrangement, a primary unit and a remote unit. The primary unit includes a damper tube, a spring chamber, and a piston rod that supports a main piston. The main piston is movable within the damper chamber of the primary unit. The main piston and the damper tube at least partially define a compression chamber. The remote unit comprises a remote fluid chamber and an inertial valve within the remote unit. The inertial valve is preferably responsive to terrain-induced forces and preferably not responsive to rider-induced forces when the shock absorber is assembled to the bicycle. A fluid flow control arrangement within the remote unit utilizes compression fluid flow to delay closing of the inertia valve after acceleration forces acting on the inertia valve diminish. In some arrangements, the inertia valve and fluid flow control arrangement may reside in the primary unit.

Abstract: A bicycle shock absorber and methods for differentiating between rider-induced forces and terrain-induced forces includes a first fluid chamber having fluid contained therein, a piston for compressing the fluid within the fluid chamber, a second fluid chamber coupled to the first fluid chamber by a fluid communication hose, and an inertial valve disposed within the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve opens in response to terrain-induced forces and provides communication of fluid compressed by the piston from the first fluid chamber to the second fluid chamber. The inertial valve does not open in response to rider-induced forces.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel and hub can be configured to provide enhanced stiffness, reduced aerodynamic drag, and reduced weight. For enhanced lateral stiffness, the bicycle wheel comprises a hub having a central body bounded by a first hub flange and a second hub flange. Each of the hub flanges includes a plurality of extensions protruding radially outward from the central body towards a wheel rim. The extensions extend at least one-fifth of the distance from the central body to the rim. A pair of spokes spans between each hub flange extension to the rim. The hub of drive side of a driven wheel may further include a reinforcing member such as a reinforcing ring to accommodate forces and loads imparted by a bicycle drive mechanism. For reduced drag while retaining sufficient lateral stiffness, the central body of the hub may be narrowed and the hub flanges correspondingly repositioned laterally inward.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel release mechanism can be configured to fit between dropouts on a bicycle. The release mechanism can have a ramp member and a ramp interface that rotate relative to one another to define a secured position where the wheel is secured to a bicycle and an open position where the wheel is releasable from the bicycle. The ramp member can be keyed to the bicycle such that the release mechanism can be operated or adjusted via single-handed operation. The ramp member can be configured with a variable angle ramp to facilitate rapid application for initial rotation of the mechanism followed by slower application as clamping forces increase when the release mechanism approaches the secured position.

Abstract: An integrated shifting and suspension system for a bicycle coordinates suspension settings with gear selections. A mechanical cable linkage between a derailleur and an adjustable shock absorber couples the shifting and suspension settings of a bicycle. This coupling automatically adjusts the suspension to a firm setting when a rider selects a low gear and a soft setting when a rider selects a high gear. Movement of the derailleur corresponding to a gear selection moves the cable, thus actuating a firmness control mechanism on the shock absorber. Various interconnections, including those linking front or rear derailleurs to front or rear suspensions are possible with the integrated systems described herein.

Abstract: A bicycle fork and frame assembly comprising a frame having a head tube including an outer dimension, a fork including a fork crown and a steerer tube positioned in the head tube, an upper bearing, and a lower bearing having a diameter. The upper and lower bearings are configured to rotatably support the fork within the head tube. The head tube includes a first end proximal to the fork crown and a second end distal to the fork crown. A ratio is defined by a distance from the first end of the head tube to the lower bearing divided by the diameter of the lower bearing, and the ratio is at least about 0.20, preferably at least about 0.25 and more preferably at least about 0.30. The assembly can further include a transition coupling the fork crown to the steerer tube and defining 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, and the lower bearing is located adjacent to the transition point.

Abstract: A shoe that includes an upper defining a heel, a strap adjuster member coupled to the upper, and a strap that extends across a portion of the upper. The strap is coupled to the adjuster member such that at least a portion of the strap is movable in one of a direction toward and away from the heel.

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.