Abstract: An adjustable length post for a bicycle comprises first and second slidably coupled supports, the second support comprising an interior cavity defined by an interior surface, the interior surface having a portion recessed from a surrounding surface; and a collet coupled to or integrated into the first support, the collet comprising a body positioned at least partially within the interior cavity of the second support; a locking member pivotally or slidably coupled to the body, the locking member repositionable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein, in the locked configuration, the locking member protrudes laterally from the body an amount sufficient to engage the recessed portion of the interior surface of the second support, and, in the unlocked configuration, the locking member does not protrude laterally from the body or does not protrude an amount sufficient to engage the recessed portion of the interior surface of the second support.

Abstract: A bicycle is disclosed as having a seat and a seat post assembly supported supporting the seat. The seat post assembly includes a lower seat support, an upper seat support secured to the seat and movable (e.g., telescopically) relative to the lower seat support, a locking mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support, and an actuating mechanism to facilitate moving the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support. The actuating mechanism comprises a spring having first and second nodes, and a drive system adapted drive the second node while the first node is engaged with the upper seat support to energize the spring. In one embodiment, the drive system comprises a reciprocating driver constructed to drive either one of the first node and the second node. Preferably, the reciprocating driver is driven by a unidirectional rotor.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel including a wheel rim having first and second sidewalls defining a rim trough and an opening extending through a portion of the wheel rim, a tire having a tire bead positioned in the rim trough in engagement with the first sidewall, and a bead lock positioned in the rim trough adjacent the tire bead. The bead lock is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The bead lock includes an actuator positioned in the opening with a portion accessible from outside the rim, and a hand positioned in the rim trough with two free ends moveable relative to each other and a side edge engaged with the tire bead. The side edge includes a cut out that creates a recessed edge that is not engaged with the tire bead.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel comprises a rim and a valve assembly. The rim includes a radially inner wall having an inner opening and a radially outer wall having an outer opening. A first portion of the rim includes a first securing feature (e.g., inner threads). The valve assembly is positioned in the inner opening and outer opening and includes a second securing feature (e.g., outer threads) engaging the first securing feature. The rim can include a plate that defines the first engaging feature. The valve assembly preferably includes a valve stem and a resilient bumper coupled to the valve stem and aligned with a second portion of the rim. The valve assembly can further include a seal member compressed between the valve stem and the rim. Preferably, the seal member is positioned in an annular groove in an underside of an enlarged head of the valve stem.

Abstract: A bicycle is disclosed as having a seat and a seat post assembly supported supporting the seat. The seat post assembly includes a lower seat support, an upper seat support secured to the seat and movable (e.g., telescopically) relative to the lower seat support, a locking mechanism for selectively locking and unlocking the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support, and an actuating mechanism to facilitate moving the upper seat support relative to the lower seat support. The actuating mechanism comprises a spring having first and second nodes, and a drive system adapted drive the second node while the first node is engaged with the upper seat support to energize the spring. In one embodiment, the drive system comprises a reciprocating driver constructed to drive either one of the first node and the second node. Preferably, the reciprocating driver is driven by a unidirectional rotor.

Abstract: A bicycle rim assembly includes a rim defining a central plane and comprising annular inner and outer walls. The outer wall includes first and second bead seats separated by a center well. First and second annular projections are spaced laterally from each other relative to the central plane and extend substantially radially outwardly from the outer wall. Each of the annular projections includes a radially outer face and a laterally inner face. Right and left covers are spaced from each other and are preferably coupled to the rim to cover at least a portion of the laterally inner face and the radially outer face of the first and second annular projections, respectively, and also the first and second bead seats, respectively. One or both of the right and left covers can be fiber reinforced. First and second pieces of tape can be overlapped and used to secure the covers to the rim.

Abstract: A bottom bracket shell assembly includes left and right sidewalls. The left and right sidewalls each include a peripheral rim and a lateral surface. The lateral surfaces define a generally circular void. A bearing support is disposed at the voids of the left and right sidewalls. Left and right first bosses project away from the left and right sidewalls at a periphery of the lateral surface. The first bosses include boss ends configured to connect to a first tubular member. The left and right sidewalls are joined at the peripheral rim to form contiguous front and rear surfaces. The present disclosure maximizes the strength to weight ratio for low modulus frame materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle rim assembly adapted to be coupled to a hub to create a bicycle wheel. The rim assembly includes a rim and a cover coupled to the rim. The rim defines a central plane and comprises an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall cooperating with the inner wall to define a cavity. The rim further includes annular projections spaced laterally relative to the central plane and extending substantially radially outwardly from the outer annular wall. The cover includes sidewalls disposed on lateral sides of the rim adjacent the projections, each sidewall including a lateral inner portion having a lateral thickness. The cover further includes an annular ring portion interconnecting the sidewalls, the annular ring portion including a radial thickness less than the lateral thickness of the lateral inner portion of the sidewalls. Preferably, the rim comprises a metallic material and the cover comprises a non-metallic material.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel comprising a wheel rim having first and second sidewalls defining a rim trough and an opening extending through a portion of the wheel rim, a tire having a tire bead positioned in the rim trough in engagement with the first sidewall, and a bead lock positioned in the rim trough adjacent the tire bead. The bead lock is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The bead lock includes an actuator positioned in the opening with a portion accessible from outside the rim, and a band positioned in the rim trough with two free ends movable relative to each other and a side edge engaged with the tire bead. The side edge includes a cut out that creates a recessed edge that is not engaged with the tire bead.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bicycle rim assembly adapted to be coupled to a hub to create a bicycle wheel. The rim assembly includes a rim and a cover coupled to the rim. The rim defines a central plane and comprises an annular inner wall and an annular outer wall cooperating with the inner wall to define a cavity. The rim further includes annular projections spaced laterally relative to the central plane and extending substantially radially outwardly from the outer annular wall. The cover includes sidewalls disposed on lateral sides of the rim adjacent the projections, each sidewall including a lateral inner portion having a lateral thickness. The cover further includes an annular ring portion interconnecting the sidewalls, the annular ring portion including a radial thickness less than the lateral thickness of the lateral inner portion of the sidewalls. Preferably, the rim comprises a metallic material and the cover comprises a non-metallic material.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.

Abstract: An adjustable length post for a bicycle comprises first and second slidably coupled supports, the second support comprising an interior cavity defined by an interior surface, the interior surface having a portion recessed from a surrounding surface; and a collet coupled to or integrated into the first support, the collet comprising a body positioned at least partially within the interior cavity of the second support; a locking member pivotally or slidably coupled to the body, the locking member repositionable between a locked configuration and an unlocked configuration, wherein, in the locked configuration, the locking member protrudes laterally from the body an amount sufficient to engage the recessed portion of the interior surface of the second support, and, in the unlocked configuration, the locking member does not protrude laterally from the body or does not protrude an amount sufficient to engage the recessed portion of the interior surface of the second support.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.

Abstract: A bottom bracket shell assembly includes left and right sidewalls. The left and right sidewalls each include a peripheral rim and a lateral surface. The lateral surfaces define a generally circular void. A bearing support is disposed at the voids of the left and right sidewalls. Left and right first bosses project away from the left and right sidewalls at a periphery of the lateral surface. The first bosses include boss ends configured to connect to a first tubular member. The left and right sidewalls are joined at the peripheral rim to form contiguous front and rear surfaces. The present disclosure maximizes the strength to weight ratio for low modulus frame materials.

Abstract: A vehicle wheel comprises a wheel rim having first and second sidewalls defining a rim trough, a tire having a tire bead positioned in the rim trough in engagement with the first sidewall, and a bead lock positioned in the rim trough adjacent the tire bead. The bead lock is movable between a locked position and an unlocked position. The bead lock includes an actuator positioned in the opening and including an exposed portion accessible from outside the wheel. The bead lock can further include a band positioned in the rim trough and including two free ends movable relative to each other. The bead lock can further include a tightening mechanism secured to the two free ends. For example, the tightening mechanism can include a winch and a cable wrapped around the winch and secured to one of the free ends.

Abstract: A bicycle wheel including a hub and a rim coupled to the hub. The wheel also includes a cover that is coupled to rim and that defines a bead seat engageable by a tire. The rim can have a first annular feature and the cover can have a second annular feature that is complementary to the first annular feature to attach the cover to the rim.

Abstract: A bicycle having a first tube with a first tube portion and a first weld portion. The first tube portion has a first tube portion thickness and the first weld portion has a first weld portion thickness. The first weld portion has a first mating surface. A second tube having a second tube portion and a second weld portion. The second tube portion has a second tube portion thickness and the second weld portion has a second weld portion thickness. The second weld portion has a second mating surface. The first mating surface is positioned adjacent to the second mating surface, forming a weld interface between the first tube and the second tube. A weld bead formed along the weld interface coupling the first weld portion and the second weld portion.