Bicycle front fork assembly

Abstract

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.

1 - 16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A bicycle comprising:
 a frame including a head steering end portion, the head steering end portion defining a central axis, a lower portion and an upper portion;   a lower hearing;   an upper bearing;   a fork including fork legs joined at an upper portion defining a fork crown, the fork also including a fork head and axis shaft attached to the fork crown, the axis shall defining a rotational axis of the fork, the lower bearing disposed between the fork crown and the lower portion of the head steering end portion, the fork head extending in front of the head steering end portion when the axis shaft is inserted into the head steering end portion;   a headset cap being sized and configured together with the upper portion of the head steering end portion to receive the upper hearing, the headset cap being threadably engaged to the axis shaft, the upper and lower bearings being under an axial load between the headset cap and the fork crown for preloading the upper and lower bearings-to align the rotational axis of the fork to the central axis of the head steering end portion;   a handlebar mount attached to the fork head.   
     
     
         18 . A method of assembling a fork, a frame and a handlebar of a bicycle, the method comprising the steps of:
 providing the fork with an axis shaft attached to the fork, the axis shaft defining a rotational axis of the fork, the fork having a fork head;   providing the frame with a head steering end portion, the head steering end portion defining a central axis;   providing upper and lower bearings;   disposing the lower bearing about the axis shall and between the fork and the head steering end portion;   inserting the axis shaft into the head steering end portion;   placing the fork head in front of the head steering end portion;   disposing the upper bearing between the head steering end portion and a headset cap;   threadably engaging the headset cap onto the axis shaft;   axially loading the upper and lower bearings between the fork and the headset cap until the rotational axis of the fork is aligned to the central axis of the head steering end portion; and   attaching the handlebar to the fork head.   
     
     
         19 . The method of claim  20  further comprising the step of seating angular contact bearings between the fork and head steering end portion and between the head steering end portion and the headset cap.