Abstract: An inverted front fork and wheel assembly for bicycles and motorcycles includes an axle having non-circular end portions that are clamped within corresponding non-circular dropout openings, thereby to increase the torsional stiffness of the fork.

Abstract: An improved shock absorber for use in the front fork suspension of a mountain bicycle includes a housing having a pair of telescopically-arranged cylinders containing a rebound damping piston, a compression damping piston, and a lockout damping piston arranged on the opposite side of the compression piston from the rebound piston, a manually-operable lockout shut-off valve being provided that is operable independently of the compression damping piston between a closed lockout condition in which the lockout piston is activated, and an open condition in which the lockout piston is de-activated, thereby to change the operating characteristics of the shock absorber. The compression piston, the lockout piston, and the lockout shut-off valve are connected to define an assembly that is removably connected as a unit with the upper end of the shock absorber housing, thereby to permit removal of the assembly for adjustment of a flow control device associated with the compression piston.