The present disclosure relates to bicycles, and in particular, to bicycle frames and fork designs of bicycles.
Cycling has been popular for its various roles, including transportation, travel, leisure, exercise, sports, and competitions, and received a wide audience, including amateur riders, avid riders, and professional cyclists and athletes. As cycling increases in popularity, the demand for better-performing bicycle frames is growing. Specifically, bicycles with improved aerodynamic characteristics can significantly enhance the overall riding efficiency and the cyclist’s performance.
In particular, the cyclist encounters air resistance while cycling, and an aerodynamic design aims to minimize the resistance by reducing drag, which is the force of air pushing against the cyclist and the bike. In racing competitions, such as a triathlon, an athlete needs to hold an aero-optimized riding position, while remaining comfortable over a long distance to achieve higher speeds with less effort. In view of the above, there is a need for an improved bicycle frame with an optimized aerodynamic design, so that less energy is required to overcome wind resistance during the cycling, and the cyclist may maintain the speed for longer periods.
Embodiments of the present disclosure provide a bicycle frame set. The bicycle frame set includes a front fork, a head tube, a main tube, a seat tube, and a seat stay. The front fork includes a right fork leg and a left fork leg, the right fork leg being substantially parallel to the left fork leg. The front fork is rotatably coupled to the head tube. The main tube is connected to the head tube. The seat tube is connected to the main tube, the seat tube being configured to be connected to a seat post. The seat stay is extending from the seat tube.
It is to be understood that the foregoing general descriptions and the following detailed descriptions are explanatory only and merely provide examples, and are not restrictive of the disclosure, as claimed.
The accompanying drawings described herein are intended to provide further understanding of the present disclosure and constitute a part of this application. Examples of embodiments of the present disclosure and the description thereof are used for explaining the present disclosure rather than constituting the improper limitation to the present disclosure. In the accompanying drawings:
Reference will now be made in detail to examples of embodiments, which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and disclosed herein. The implementations set forth in the following description of examples of embodiments are examples of systems and methods consistent with the aspects related to the disclosure and do not limit the scope of the present disclosure. It should be noted that, unless otherwise stated specifically in the specification, the embodiments in the present disclosure or the features in the embodiments may be mutually combined.
As used herein, the term “or” encompasses all possible combinations, except where infeasible. For example, if it is stated that a device, structure, or module may include A or B, then, unless specifically stated otherwise or infeasible, the device, structure, or module may include A, B, or A and B. As a second example, if it is stated that a device, structure, or module may include A, B, or C, then, unless specifically stated otherwise or infeasible, it may include A, B, C, or A and B, or A and C, or B and C, or A and B and C.
In some embodiments, the head tube 120 and the main tube 130 may be integrated as a single piece in the manufacturing process, but the present disclosure is not limited thereto. In some other embodiments, the head tube 120 and the main tube 130 may be separate parts. In the embodiment depicted in
In some embodiments, an effective seat tube angle of the seat tube 140 can be adjusted by changing the saddle setback position. For example, a rear clamp on the seat post may provide an independent fore/aft saddle adjustment range of about 70 mm. When the saddle is pushed to a rear position, the effective seat tube angle may be about 76 degrees. When the saddle is pushed to its most forward position, the seat tube angle may be about 80 degrees.
In particular, the front fork 110 may include a right fork leg 112 and a left fork leg 114. The right fork leg 112 and the left fork leg 114 may be substantially parallel to each other. In addition, the front fork 110 may further include an upper crown 116 and a lower crown 118. In some embodiments, both the upper crown 116 and the lower crown 118 may connect the right fork leg 112 and the left fork leg 114, and the lower crown 118 may be parallel to the upper crown 116. As shown in
In addition, the bicycle frame set 100 may include a pair of handlebars 160 attached on the front fork 110, and a separate pair of rest handlebars 180. Specifically, the pair of handlebars 160 may include a right handlebar 162 and a left handlebar 164. The pair of rest handlebars 180 may include a right rest handlebar 182 and a left rest handlebar 184. The handlebars 160 and the rest handlebars 180 will be described in detail in later paragraphs in accompany with corresponding drawings.
As shown in
As shown in
For example, the fluid container may be a removable bladder inside the main tube 130. The capacity of the fluid container may be adapted to the frame size. The fluid can be accessed via the hose 220 extending from the aero cover 210 at the head tube 120, allowing the riders to hydrate while cycling without having to remove their hands from the bars or come out of their aero riding positions. In some embodiments, the hydration system may further include a centrally located refill port to achieve a quick and easy refill process. In some other embodiments, the bicycle frame set 100 may further include bottle cage mounts on the front of the seat tube 140 to carry extra fluids for training rides.
As shown in
As depicted in
In some embodiments, the first distance D1 is greater than about 100 mm. In some embodiments, the first distance D1 is greater than about 110 mm. In some embodiments, a ratio of the first distance D1 to the second distance D2 is within a range of 0.9 to 1.2. In some embodiments, the ratio of the first distance D1 to the second distance D2 is within a range of 0.9 to 1.1. In some embodiments, the ratio of the first distance D1 to the second distance D2 is within a range of 0.95 to 1.05. In some embodiments, the first distance D1 is substantially equal to the second distance D2, and an error between the first distance D1 and the second distance D2 is negligible. For example, in some embodiments, the first distance D1 may be about 134.1 mm, and the second distance D2 may be about 134.6 mm.
In addition, consistent with the embodiments of
That is, a portion of the right seat stay 152 may be aligned with respect to the right fork leg 112, and a portion of the left seat stay 154 may be aligned with respect to the left fork leg 114 to reduce the air resistance during cycling in order to optimize the aerodynamic performance of the bicycle, which improves the overall riding efficiency and provides a desired riding experience to the rider.
In some embodiments, the rest handlebars 182 and 184 may be an extension component (e.g., extension bars) in addition to the handlebars 162 and 164 of the bicycle. The rest handlebars 182 and 184 may be long, straight, or slightly curved bars extending outwardly and upwardly to provide an additional hand position for the rider, allowing the rider to adjust his or her grip and posture during cycling. In some embodiments, the rider may switch between different riding positions (e.g., a more upright riding position on the main handlebars 162 and 164, and a more leaned-forward, aerodynamic position on the rest handlebars 182 and 184), which allows the rider to shift his or her weight and posture to reduce fatigue and discomfort, and maintain comfort and efficiency in different riding scenarios, such as on long rides or during a cycling climb. In some embodiments, the rest handlebars 182 and 184 may be designed to be adjustable to customize the angle and position to fit the rider’s preference and to provide a more aerodynamic riding position for the rider. In some embodiments, the rest handlebars 182 and 184 may provide the arm extensions that can be moved forward and backward, and the angles can be adjusted without removing any spacers. In some embodiments, the stack height can be raised or lowered without moving the extension bars.
Similarly, on the opposite side not shown in
Specifically, the length 810 represents the length of the first portion 152a, and the length 820 represents the length of the second portion 152b. In some embodiments, the length 810 of the first portion 152a is greater than the length 820 of the second portion 152b, and an angle between the first portion 152a and the second portion 152b is greater than 90 degrees. For example, in some embodiments, the length 810 of the first portion 152a is greater than 120 mm, 150 mm, or 200 mm.
In addition, the distance 830 represents the distance between the center 802 of the bottom bracket (BB) and the center 804 of the rear wheel, and the distance 840 represents the horizontal distance between the center 802 of the bottom bracket (BB) and the center 804 of the rear wheel. In some embodiments, the ratio of the length 810 of the first portion 152a to the distance 830 between the center 802 and the center 804 is greater than 0.3. In some embodiments, the ratio of the length 810 to the distance 830 is greater than 0.4, 0.5, or 0.55. In some embodiments, the ratio of the length 810 of the first portion 152a to the horizontal distance 840 between the center 802 and the center 804 is greater than 0.3. In some embodiments, the ratio of the length 810 to the distance 840 is greater than 0.4, 0.5, or 0.55.
In addition, the first vertical distance 850 represents the vertical distance from the center 804 of the rear wheel to the front end of the first portion 152a, and the second vertical distance 860 represents the vertical distance from the center 804 of the rear wheel to the rear end of the first portion of 152a. In some embodiments, the first vertical distance 850 is less than 150 mm. In some embodiments, the first vertical distance 850 may be less than 140 mm, 130 mm, or 120 mm. Similarly, in some embodiments, the second vertical distance 860 is less than 150 mm. In some embodiments, the second vertical distance 860 may be less than 140 mm, 130 mm, or 120 mm.
In some embodiments, a ratio of the first vertical distance 850 to the second vertical distance 860 may be within a range of 0.9 to 1.1. In some embodiments, the ratio of the first vertical distance 850 to the second vertical distance 860 may be within a range of 0.95 to 1.05.
In some embodiments, a ratio of the first vertical distance 850 to the length 810 of the first portion 152a is greater than 0.55. In some embodiments, a ratio of the first vertical distance 850 to the length 810 may be greater than 0.7 or 1. For example, the ratio of the first vertical distance 850 to the length 810 may be within a range of 0.55 to 1.3, within a range of 0.7 to 1.3, or within a range of 1 to 1.3.
In view of the above, the design of the parallel front forks and the horizontal seat stay provided in various embodiments of the present disclosure may reduce air resistance and thus improve the overall aerodynamic efficiency. Thus, the bicycle frame set may provide a desired riding experience and enhance the riding performance of cyclists.
The embodiments may further be described using the following clauses:
1. A bicycle frame set, comprising:
2. The bicycle frame set of clause 1, further comprising:
a pair of rest handlebars including a right rest handlebar and a left rest handlebar, wherein an upper portion of the right fork leg of the front fork connects to the right rest handlebar and an upper portion of the left fork leg of the front fork connects to the left rest handlebar.
3. The bicycle frame set of clause 2, further comprising:
a pair of handlebars including a right handlebar and a left handlebar, wherein the upper portion of the right fork leg of the front fork connects to the right handlebar at a position lower than the right rest handlebar, and the upper portion of the left fork leg of the front fork connects to the left handlebar at a position lower than the left rest handlebar.
4. The bicycle frame set of any of clauses 1-3, wherein the front fork further comprises:
5. The bicycle frame set of clause 4, further comprising:
a cover attached to the front fork and connected to the upper crown and the lower crown.
6. The bicycle frame set of clause 5, further comprising:
a hose for a hydration system arranged within the main tube and extending through the head tube and a space between the upper crown and the lower crown.
7. The bicycle frame set of any of clauses 4-6, wherein the right fork leg of the front fork and the left fork leg of the front fork each include a first portion above the lower crown and a second portion below the lower crown.
8. The bicycle frame set of clause 7, wherein a ratio of a first distance between a center of the first portion of the right fork leg of the front fork and a center of the first portion of the left fork leg of the front fork to a second distance between a center of the second portion of the right fork leg of the front fork and a center of the second portion of the left fork leg of the front fork is within a range of 0.9 to 1.2.
9. The bicycle frame set of clause 8, wherein the ratio of the first distance to the second distance is within a range of 0.9 to 1.1.
10. The bicycle frame set of clause 8, wherein the ratio of the first distance to the second distance is within a range of 0.95 to 1.05.
11. The bicycle frame set of any of clauses 7-10, further comprising:
12. The bicycle frame set of clause 11, wherein the ratio of the first distance to the third distance is greater than 1.2.
13. The bicycle frame set of any of clauses 7-12, wherein a first distance between the first portion of the right fork leg of the front fork and the first portion of the left fork leg of the front fork is greater than 100 mm.
14. The bicycle frame set of clause 13, wherein the first distance is greater than 110 mm.
15. The bicycle frame set of any of clauses 7-14, wherein a ratio of a first distance between the first portion of the right fork leg of the front fork and the first portion of the left fork leg of the front fork to a fourth distance between a first dropout end of a right seat stay and a second dropout end of a left seat stay is within a range of 0.8 to 1.2.
16. The bicycle frame set of clause 15, wherein the ratio of the first distance to the fourth distance is within a range of 0.9 to 1.1.
17. The bicycle frame set of any of clauses 1-16, wherein the right fork leg of the front fork comprises a first protrusion and the left fork leg of the front fork includes a second protrusion, wherein each of the first protrusion and the second protrusion extends inwardly toward each other, the first protrusion and the second protrusion being configured to connect to a front hub.
18. The bicycle frame set of clause 17, wherein the first protrusion extends vertically from the right fork leg and the second protrusion extends vertically from the left fork leg.
19. The bicycle frame set of any of clauses 1-18, wherein the seat stay comprising a right seat stay and a left seat stay, wherein a distance between a center of the right fork leg of the front fork and a center of the left fork leg of the front fork is substantially equal to a distance between a first dropout end of the right seat stay and a second dropout end of the left seat stay.
20. The bicycle frame set of any of clauses 1-19, wherein the right fork leg of the front fork extends along a first straight axis from a first end of the right fork leg of the front fork to a second end of the right fork leg of the front fork, and the left fork leg of the front fork extends along a second straight axis from a first end of the left fork leg of the front fork to a second end of the left fork leg of the front fork.
In the drawings and specification, there have been disclosed examples of embodiments. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made to the disclosed system and related methods. Other embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosed system and related methods.
This application is based upon and claims priority to U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/363,464, filed on Apr. 22, 2022, and U.S. Provisional Pat. Application No. 63/379,355, filed on Oct. 13, 2022, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
Number | Date | Country | |
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63379355 | Oct 2022 | US | |
63363464 | Apr 2022 | US |