Abstract: A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frame supported on the front and rear wheels. The frame includes a hollow frame member having a wall with an opening, and a flexible bladder positioned in the hollow frame member. A stiffening member is positioned along at least a portion of the bladder to facilitate insertion of the bladder through the opening and into the frame member. The bicycle further includes a collar coupled to the open end of the bladder with at least a portion of the collar being positioned on an outer surface of the frame member. The bladder includes a first portion adjacent the open end and generally aligned with a first axis and a second portion distal to the open end and generally aligned with a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A crankset for a bicycle that includes a first crank, a second crank, a spindle, a bearing, and a preload mechanism. Each of the first crank and the second crank has an end adapted to engage a pedal. The spindle defines an axis and includes a first end that is coupled to the first crank and a second end that is coupled to the second crank. The bearing positioned around the spindle between the first crank and the second crank to permit rotation of the spindle. The preload mechanism is coupled to the spindle between the bearing and the first crank. The preload mechanism includes a washer that extends circumferentially around the spindle and a cam member that is engageable with the washer to move the washer along the axis to preload the bearing.

Abstract: A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frame supported on the front and rear wheels. The frame includes a hollow frame member having a wall with an opening, and a flexible bladder positioned in the hollow frame member. A stiffening member is positioned along at least a portion of the bladder to facilitate insertion of the bladder through the opening and into the frame member. The bicycle further includes a collar coupled to the open end of the bladder with at least a portion of the collar being positioned on an outer surface of the frame member. The bladder includes a first portion adjacent the open end and generally aligned with a first axis and a second portion distal to the open end and generally aligned with a second axis that is non-parallel to the first axis.

Abstract: A bicycle including a front wheel, a rear wheel, and a frame supported on the front and rear wheels, the frame having a frame member. The bicycle further includes a first fairing member protruding outward from the frame member and having a side surface defining an aerodynamic trailing edge and a second fairing member detachably mounted on the first fairing member such that the side surface is exposed.

Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a shaft, a first load bearing adjacent said shaft, a hub main body surrounding said shaft, and a cogset. The cogset can define an inner surface, and the inner surface can define a seat configured to receive the first load bearing. Further, the inner surface can define an opening of variable size. The cogset can also define an inner end and an outer end, and the opening can generally increase in size from the outer end to the inner end.

Abstract: A bicycle having at least two wheels, a frame supported on the two wheels, a brake, a gear shift mechanism (e.g., a chain derailleur), a shifter (e.g., a shift lever), and a brake mechanism coupled to the brake and also coupled to the gear mechanism (e.g., via an auxiliary shift cable between a brake lever and a shift lever). Preferably, the shifter and brake mechanism are mounted on a handlebar assembly (e.g., the shifter mounted on an extension and the brake mechanism mounted on a base bar). In one embodiment, the brake mechanism comprises a brake support fixedly secured to the handlebar assembly, a lever base pivotally mounted to the brake support for rotation about a first axis, and a brake lever pivotally mounted to the lever base for rotation about a second axis. Preferably, the lever base is rotationally biased relative to the brake support.

Abstract: A bicycle frame that supports a front wheel and a rear wheel defining a central plane. The bicycle frame includes a head tube, a bottom bracket configured to support a crank assembly, and a bicycle frame portion. The bicycle frame portion includes a leading edge and a trailing edge oriented such that a chord line between the leading edge and the trailing edge defines an angle of incidence greater than zero degrees relative to the central plane.

Abstract: A bicycle hub assembly comprises a shaft, a first load bearing adjacent said shaft, a hub main body surrounding said shaft, and a cogset. The cogset can define an inner surface, and the inner surface can define a seat configured to receive the first load bearing. Further, the inner surface can define an opening of variable size. The cogset can also define an inner end and an outer end, and the opening can generally increase in size from the outer end to the inner end.

Abstract: A bicycle frame comprising a first tubular member having a first main portion and a first interface portion (e.g., a rounded taper), and a second tubular member having a second main portion and a second interface portion engaged with the first interface portion to create a joint. The joint includes a peripheral channel defined between the first interface portion and the second interface portion, and a weld is positioned in the peripheral channel. The second interface portion is defined at least partially by a substantially flat face wall. Preferably, the first tubular member includes an open end at the first interface portion, while the flat face wall at the second interface portion is substantially closed. In addition, it is preferred that the face wall lies in a plane that is substantially parallel to a longitudinal axis of the head tube (e.g., within ten degrees of the longitudinal axis).

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: Various bicycle brake assemblies are described. In some embodiments, a bicycle brake assembly comprises a multi-lever linkage assembly comprising an input link and an output link coupled with a brake pad, wherein the multi-lever linkage assembly is configured to provide a greater mechanical advantage when the brake assembly is in a second activated position in which the brake pad is contacting a wheel than when the brake assembly is in a first unactivated position.

Abstract: A bicycle frame comprising a first tubular member having a first interface portion, and a second tubular member having a second interface portion engaged with the first interface portion to create a joint. The joint includes a peripheral channel having a depth that is greater than a wall thickness of the first tubular member, and a weld is positioned in the peripheral channel. To enhance the transition from the first main portion to the second main portion, the second tubular member can include a fillet surface between the second main portion and the second interface portion. The fillet surface is contoured to provide a smooth transition between the top tube and the head tube. An outer surface of the first interface portion can be offset from an outer surface of the first main portion to thereby create a shoulder.

Abstract: A bicycle damping system is arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle. Desirably, a front fork assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and includes a pair of fork legs, which extend in a downward direction along opposing sides of a front wheel of the bicycle. Preferably, the fork legs are configured to support the front wheel at their lower ends. Each of the fork legs can define a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. The damping member can be forced into contact with a surface of the fork leg. Seat stays, chain stays, the seat post and other components of the bicycle can also include a damping system.

Abstract: A bicycle seat support that resiliently supports a bicycle seat. The support comprises an upper engagement member adapted to support a bicycle seat, a lower engagement member adapted to engage a bicycle frame, and a compliant support assembly coupling the upper engagement member to the lower engagement member. The compliant support assembly includes a first and second cantilevered springs defining a gap, and a resilient member (e.g., an elastomer) positioned in the gap. The bicycle seat support can include an elbow joint coupling the lower engagement member to the compliant support assembly. Preferably, the elbow joint comprises an upper portion that sandwiches the first and second cantilevered springs, and a lower portion positioned in a recess in the lower engagement member. The lower engagement member can also include a resilient bump stop adapted to limit downward movement of the upper engagement portion.

Abstract: A bicycle frame comprising a first tubular member having a first interface portion, and a second tubular member having a second interface portion engaged with the first interface portion to create a joint. The joint includes a peripheral channel having a depth that is greater than a wall thickness of the first tubular member, and a weld is positioned in the peripheral channel. To enhance the transition from the first main portion to the second main portion, the second tubular member can include a fillet surface between the second main portion and the second interface portion. The fillet surface is contoured to provide a smooth transition between the top tube and the head tube. An outer surface of the first interface portion can be offset from an outer surface of the first main portion to thereby create a shoulder.

Abstract: Various bicycle brake assemblies are described. In some embodiments, a bicycle brake assembly comprises a multi-lever linkage assembly comprising an input link and an output link coupled with a brake pad, wherein the multi-lever linkage assembly is configured to provide a greater mechanical advantage when the brake assembly is in a second activated position in which the brake pad is contacting a wheel than when the brake assembly is in a first unactivated position.

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 bicycle hub assembly comprises a shaft, a first load bearing adjacent said shaft, a hub main body surrounding said shaft, and a cogset. The cogset can define an inner surface, and the inner surface can define a seat configured to receive the first load bearing. Further, the inner surface can define an opening of variable size. The cogset can also define an inner end and an outer end, and the opening can generally increase in size from the outer end to the inner end.