Abstract: A bicycle that includes a main frame, a front wheel mounted for rotation relative to the main frame, a rear dropout, and a rear wheel mounted for rotation relative to the rear dropout. The rear wheel defines a center plane of the bicycle. The bicycle further includes a rear stay that couples the rear dropout to the main frame. The rear stay has an inner surface facing the rear wheel and an outer surface facing away from the rear wheel. The rear stay includes a steep portion having an outer surface at a steep angle of between about 25 degrees and about 75 degrees relative to the center plane.

Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the 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 defines a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. Also disclosed is a preferred method of manufacturing the wheel support.

Abstract: A bicycle designed to reduce the transfer of vibrations to the rider. The bicycle includes a frame having a first frame element and a second frame element. A first wheel is coupled to the frame and a damping member is disposed between the first frame element and the second frame element. The damping member provides vibration damping between the first frame element and the second frame element.

Abstract: A crankset including a first crank and a second crank and a spindle. Each of the first crank and the second crank includes an end adapted to engage a pedal. The spindle includes a first end coupled to the first crank and a second end coupled to the second crank. The first end has an elongated portion secured to the first crank to define an elongated attachment between the first end and the first crank.

Abstract: A crankset that includes a first crank, a second crank, a first spindle portion, a second spindle portion, and an attachment assembly. Each of the first crank and the second crank include an end adapted to engage a pedal. The first spindle portion includes a first end coupled to the first crank and a second end that has a first engagement member defined by at least one protrusion and at least one cavity. The second spindle portion includes a first end coupled to the second crank and a second end that has a second engagement member defined by at least one protrusion and at least one cavity that are substantially mirror images of the at least one protrusion and the at least one cavity of the first spindle portion, and that engage the corresponding at least one cavity and the at least one protrusion of the first spindle portion.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame having a main frame portion and an articulating frame portion pivotally mounted to the main frame portion and carrying a rear wheel of the bicycle. A shock absorber preferably is operably connected between the main frame portion and the articulating frame portion. Preferably, the top tube and down tube of the main frame contact one another for a distance extending rearwardly from the head tube of the main frame. In one arrangement, the down tube has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the 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 defines a cavity and a damping member is positioned within the cavity. Also disclosed is a preferred method of manufacturing the wheel support.

Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the 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. An intermediate portion of each of the fork legs defines a cavity. A damping member comprised of a vibration damping material is positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the cavity passes completely through each fork leg in a lateral direction and the damping member is retained within the cavity by a friction fit therebetween.

Abstract: A bicycle designed to reduce the transfer of vibrations to the rider. The bicycle includes a seatpost assembly comprising an inner member, an outer member at least partially surrounding a portion of the inner member, and a damping member disposed between the inner member and the outer member. The damping member provides vibration damping between the frame and the seat. Preferably, the inner member includes a necked portion positioned within the damping member. In addition, the damping member can include a body portion positioned inside the outer member and a head portion positioned longitudinally adjacent the outer member. The concepts of the present invention are also applicable to frame members of the bicycle frame, such as the chainstays, the seatstays, and the fork.

Abstract: A bicycle fork assembly designed to reduce the transfer of vibrations to the rider. This is accomplished by providing a damping member (e.g., made of a molded elastomer) that completely surrounds the outer surface of a fork member. Preferably, the damping member is in tension when mounted on the fork member such that the damping member compresses the fork member to thereby reduce transmission of vibrations through the fork. In addition, the fork member can be provided with a necked portion that receives the damping member. Preferably, the damping member is positioned closer to the fork tip than to the fork crown. The damping member can comprise two portions having different colors, durometers, and densities. Preferably, the damping member is formed separate from the fork member, and subsequently slid onto the outer surface of the fork member. Alternatively, the damping member could be molded in place on the fork member.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame having a main frame portion and an articulating frame portion pivotally mounted to the main frame portion and carrying a rear wheel of the bicycle. A shock absorber preferably is operably connected between the main frame portion and the articulating frame portion. Preferably, the top tube and down tube of the main frame contact one another for a distance extending rearwardly from the head tube of the main frame. In one arrangement, the down tube has a non-circular cross-sectional shape.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame having a main frame portion and an articulating frame portion pivotally mounted to the main frame portion and carrying a rear wheel of the bicycle at a hub axis. A shock absorber is operably connected between the main frame portion and the articulating frame portion to provide resistance to articulating motion of the articulating frame portion. A rearward end of the shock absorber preferably is pivotally mounted to the articulating frame portion at a location near the hub axis. The shock absorber preferably is positioned within a perimeter defined in a vertical plane generally by the articulating frame portion.

Abstract: A seat post assembly for a bicycle arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at either the front or rear wheel of the bicycle and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the frame. Desirably, the seat post assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and is configured to support a bicycle seat on its upper end. Preferably, an upper portion of the seat post defines a cavity. A damping member comprised of a vibration damping material is positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the cavity passes completely through the seat post in a lateral direction and the damping member is retained within the cavity by a friction fit therebetween.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame having a main frame portion and an articulating frame portion pivotally mounted to the main frame portion and carrying a rear wheel of the bicycle at a hub axis. A shock absorber is operably connected between the main frame portion and the articulating frame portion to provide resistance to articulating motion of the articulating frame portion. A rearward end of the shock absorber preferably is pivotally mounted to the articulating frame portion at a location near the hub axis. The shock absorber preferably is positioned within a perimeter defined in a vertical plane generally by the articulating frame portion.

Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the 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. An intermediate portion of each of the fork legs defines a cavity. A damping member comprised of a vibration damping material is positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the cavity passes completely through each fork leg in a lateral direction and the damping member is retained within the cavity by a friction fit therebetween.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame having a main frame portion and an articulating frame portion pivotally mounted to the main frame portion and carrying a rear wheel of the bicycle at a hub axis. A shock absorber is operably connected between the main frame portion and the articulating frame portion to provide resistance to articulating motion of the articulating frame portion. A rearward end of the shock absorber preferably is pivotally mounted to the articulating frame portion at a location near the hub axis. The shock absorber preferably is positioned within a perimeter defined in a vertical plane generally by the articulating frame portion.

Abstract: A seat post assembly for a bicycle arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at either the front or rear wheel of the bicycle and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the frame. Desirably, the seat post assembly is configured to be supported by a bicycle frame and is configured to support a bicycle seat on its upper end. Preferably, an upper portion of the seat post defines a cavity. A damping member comprised of a vibration damping material is positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the cavity passes completely through the seat post in a lateral direction and the damping member is retained within the cavity by a friction fit therebetween.

Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the 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. An intermediate portion of each of the fork legs defines a cavity. A damping member comprised of a vibration damping material is positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the cavity passes completely through each fork leg in a lateral direction and the damping member is retained within the cavity by a friction fit therebetween.

Abstract: A wheel support portion for a bicycle, such as a front fork assembly, arranged to reduce vibrations that originate at the bicycle wheel and are transmitted to the rider of the bicycle through the wheel support. Desirably, the 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. An intermediate portion of each of the fork legs defines a cavity. A damping member comprised of a vibration damping material is positioned within the cavity. Preferably, the cavity passes completely through each fork leg in a lateral direction and the damping member is retained within the cavity by a friction fit therebetween.

Abstract: A bicycle including a frame having a main frame portion and an articulating frame portion pivotally mounted to the main frame portion and carrying a rear wheel of the bicycle at a hub axis. A shock absorber is operably connected between the main frame portion and the articulating frame portion to provide resistance to articulating motion of the articulating frame portion. A rearward end of the shock absorber preferably is pivotally mounted to the articulating frame portion at a location near the hub axis. The shock absorber preferably is positioned within a perimeter defined in a vertical plane generally by the articulating frame portion.