A bicycle is equipped with a rear wheel suspension having a swing arm with one or more generally cantilevered side arms, which are capable of withstanding bending and torsional loads and isolating said loads from the rider. A bottom portion of the bicycle frame includes a pedal sleeve. A pedal or crank assembly rotates within the pedal sleeve about a rotational axis with a fixed location relative to the frame. The swing arm is pivotally secured to the frame for movement about the rotational axis. A shock-absorbing element is connected between the swing arm and the frame.
This patent claims the benefit under 35 USC 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/457,626 filed Mar. 26, 2003, which is incorporated in full herein by this reference to it.
A bicycle drive unit is disclosed that includes a case frame, crank shaft, front sprocket, rear hub shaft and rear sprocket. The crank shaft includes first and second support portions that are spaced apart from one another and are supported on opposite lateral sides of a forward portion of the case frame. The first and second support portions are engaged with bearings supported on opposite sides of the interior of the case frame. The front sprocket is installed on the crank shaft within the case frame and between the first and second support portions. The rear hub shaft includes a third and fourth supporting portions that are spaced apart from one another with the rear sprocket installed on the rear hub shaft therebetween.
A bicycle front end assembly is provided which is configured to reduce aerodynamic drag. In particular, an axis shaft of a fork may be mounted to a head tube of a bicycle frame. A fork head may be disposed in front of the head tube for providing a front end assembly which is aerodynamically configured while providing an increased moment of inertia compared with traditional designs to reduce drag of the bicycle and increase steering stiffness. Also, the handlebar may be attached to the fork head such that when the bicycle is steered to the left, the fork head is rotated toward the left and when the bicycle is steered to the right, the fork head is rotated toward the right. In this manner, the fork head is alignable to the travel direction of the bicycle.
