Abstract: An adapter includes a first arm and a second arm that is pivotably connected to the first arm. A first portion of the first and second arms cooperate to form a contour which generally matches a contour of a portion of a bicycle frame. A second portion of the first and second arms are constructed to engage one another such that, during a clamping process, the adapter engages the bicycle frame with a desired gripping pressure. Preferably, the gripping pressure is less than a pressure that would crush or otherwise deform the frame of the bicycle.

Abstract: A bicycle derailer assembly that is mounted concentrically with an axle of a rear wheel assembly. The derailer is constructed to be mounted to the bicycle such that the derailer is pivotable about a common axis with the rear wheel and such that the rear wheel can be removed from the bicycle without interfering with the connection of the derailer to the bicycle. The derailer system provides a derailer that is robust and reduces interference of the derailer with the performance of bicycle maintenance.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel having a number of larger than normal spokes constructed to support a rim about a hub. The hub includes a number of recesses that are constructed to receive an end of each spoke. The spoke and hub are constructed such that translation of the spoke in an axial direction relative to the hub engages an end of each spoke with a respective recess. Each spoke can be rotated about an axis of the spoke when the spoke is positioned in a respective recess such that the rim is generally concentrically supported about the hub by a limited number of spokes.

Abstract: A bicycle fork assembly includes a steering tube configured and arranged to be rotatably mounted to a front part of a frame of a bicycle. A fork crown is secured to a lower end of the steering tube and includes first and second arms that extend laterally in opposite directions from the center portion. First and second suspension systems are secured to the arms of the fork crown and a lighting system is integrated into at least one of the first and second suspension systems. The lighting system preferably includes two lights that are configured such that the respective light beams overlap to provide a single operating beam to illuminate a travel path.

Abstract: A fiber reinforced plastic bicycle fork uses a reinforced crown steer tube junction extending the steer tube through a tapered socket to the brake bolt such that the metal steer tube coacts with the fiber reinforced plastic fork to preserve structural integrity in the event of application of high stress to the fork.

Abstract: A continuous fiber reinforced plastic bicycle fork has continuous fibers extending from the tip of the fork blades to the steer tube, formed through optimum compaction, low void molding resulting in precise forming of the fork shell such that a metal steer tube, metal bearing races, metal dropouts and metal brake mount are used to attach metal components such as a headset and star-fangled nut, handlebar stem, wheel and brake thereby eliminating metal component to carbon fiber contact to preserve the integrity of the fiber reinforcements and plastic matrix.

Abstract: A rear suspension road bicycle frame uses an integrated rear shock absorbing assembly installed in a typical diamond bicycle frame with a head tube, down tube, top tube, seat tube, tubular chainstays, tubular seat stays, brake bridge at the top of the seat stays connecting them, the shock absorbing assembly having an elastomer shock absorbing spring member with a slide affixed to the brake bridge, and a sliding bearing in the upper wishbone so that the preloaded spring member absorbs shock and the frame absorbs flexing tending to unload the spring member.

Abstract: An internal spoke nipple for a bicycle rim that is positioned internal to the rim and can be pivoted for alignment with various spoke angles. The internal spoke nipple is adapted to be positioned within an aero or deep V-shaped rim. The spoke nipple includes a cupped shaped base portion and a stem portion. The cupped base portion allows the internal spoke nipple to automatically align with the angle of the attached spoke, eliminating undesirable lateral forces on the spoke. The internal spoke nipple further comprises a fully threaded central bore that is adapted to engage and retain the spoke. The stem portion includes a plurality flat side walls that are adapted to accept a spoke wrench, to allow for adjustment of spoke tension.

Abstract: An improved bicycle lock having multiple cable loops attachable to a single locking mechanism and a method for securing multiple portions of a bicycle to a fixed structure is disclosed. The bicycle lock includes a lock body that has multiple latching mechanisms for receiving a corresponding set of cable loops, with each cable loop having a locking pin for independently securing the loop to one of the latching mechanisms on the lock body. The lock body includes a single locking mechanism which is used for activating and deactivating all of the latching mechanisms on the lock body, and thereby releasing or locking all of the cable loops simultaneously. The lock further includes a bracket for storing the lock when not in use.

Abstract: A bladed spoke wrench device used to retain the orientation of a bladed bicycle spoke to prevent unnecessary torsional displacements from being applied to the spoke during spoke tensioning and adjustment. The bladed spoke wrench includes two spoke retention slots of different widths to accommodate the most common bladed spoke thicknesses. The spoke retention slots extend both through the thickness of the tool on both sides and along one face of the tool, allowing the user to orient the tool in any of several ways that the user finds comfortable and efficient during use. The tool also includes one or more hook shaped areas that are adapted to open a bottle and further includes an opening at one end that defines a ring useful for attachment of the bladed spoke wrench to a peg on a tool board, a key ring or other hook.

Abstract: A height adjustment assembly for a handlebar stem secured to a steer tube of a bicycle is provided. The assembly includes a pair of spacers securable to the steer tube on opposite sides of the handlebar stem that each include a pair of rings engageable with one another to form the spacers. Each ring includes a number of tabs having locking members thereon that are engageable with the locking members on the tabs of the opposed ring of each spacer. By rotating the rings of each spacer with regard to one another, the height of each spacer and the gap between the spacers can be moved upwardly or downwardly along the steer tube to enable the stem to be positioned between the spacers on the steer tube at the desired height.

Abstract: A metal and fiber reinforced plastic composite combines a welded metal tube spine with a reinforced plastic composite seat assembly, top tube and seat stays.

Abstract: A complex-shaped carbon fiber structural member including a multiplicity of carbon epoxy fiber bundles surrounded by a unidirectional carbon fiber rope and its method of manufacture are provided. The fiber bundles are formed from large sheets of unidirectional carbon fiber materials cut into small strips, with the strips then being randomly oriented in the form of a sheet of randomized fiber bundles. The strips, and the fibers in the strips, cross over one another so as to form a layer of material that has a relatively uniform strength in all directions. The sheets of randomized carbon epoxy fiber bundles are cut into preforms for the structural part being made. Several preforms are stacked on top of each other in order to provide material to make the part of a desired thickness. To reinforce the bundles within the part, particularly along its outer periphery, the preforms are wrapped prior to molding with an elongated rope of unidirectional carbon fibers.

Abstract: A nozzle adapter for use in converting a nozzle designed for use with Schrader type valves to a nozzle usable with Presta type valves is provided. The nozzle adapter includes an inner sleeve defining a central opening into which the Schrader nozzle can be inserted at one end. The adapter also includes an opening at the opposite end into which a Presta type valve can be inserted. The adapter includes a locking mechanism selectively operable by an outer sleeve that is slidably mounted to the inner sleeve to effectively retain the Schrader nozzle in alignment with the adapter to allow the Schrader nozzle to be utilized as a Presta nozzle.

Abstract: An improved sports hydration system uses a plurality of bladders and tube branches communicating through tube branch controlling valve to a single feed tube.

Abstract: A bicycle trailer hitch or accessory mount uses a trailer tongue or accessory receiving flange on a body with a pin that is rotatably and removably carried in a integrally mounted bicycle frame socket, the body and socket each having a corresponding bearing surface.