Front forks for bicycles

Abstract

Front forks for bicycles are described herein. An example front fork includes an upper fork including a first leg and a second leg, a lower fork including a third leg disposed along the first leg and a fourth leg disposed along the second leg, a first set of links rotatably coupled between the first leg and the third leg, and a second set of links rotatably coupled between the second leg and the fourth leg. The first and second sets of links enable the lower fork to swing relative to the upper fork. The front fork also includes a steerer tube coupled to the front fork and a spring in the steerer tube. The spring is configured to bias the lower fork away from the steer tube.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A front fork for a bicycle, the front fork comprising:
 an upper fork including a first leg and a second leg;   
       a single-piece lower fork having a top end and a bottom end opposite the top end, the bottom end including a wheel attachment portion; 
       the single-piece lower fork including: 
       a third leg disposed along the first leg; 
       a fourth leg disposed along the second leg; 
       a bridge extending between the third leg and the fourth leg;
 a plurality of openings for receiving a first set of links and a second set of links, the first set of links and the second set of links for connecting the upper fork to the single-piece lower fork, the plurality of openings extending in a first direction; and 
 at least one other hole in the lower fork, the at least one other hole closer to the bottom end than the top end of the lower fork and extending in a second direction that is different from the first direction of the plurality of openings. 
 
     
     
         2 . The front fork of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings are on the top end of the lower fork. 
     
     
         3 . The front fork of  claim 1 , wherein the second direction of the at least one other hole extends perpendicularly relative to the first direction of the plurality of openings extending in the first direction. 
     
     
         4 . The front fork of  claim 3 , wherein the first direction of the plurality of openings extend perpendicularly relative to a center plane of a front wheel of the bicycle. 
     
     
         5 . The front fork of  claim 4 , wherein the at least one other hole is configured to mount a disc brake caliper. 
     
     
         6 . The front fork of  claim 5 , wherein the at least one other hole is on the fourth leg. 
     
     
         7 . The front fork of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one other hole is a through-hole configured to attach an axle of a front wheel of the bicycle 
     
     
         8 . The front fork of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one other hole is threaded and the at least one other hole is configured to mount a disc brake caliper 
     
     
         9 . The front fork of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one other hole is a slot. 
     
     
         10 . The front fork of  claim 1 , wherein the second direction of the at least one other hole extends perpendicularly relative to a center plane of a front wheel of the bicycle. 
     
     
         11 . The front fork of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one other hole is a through-hole configured to attach an axle of the front wheel of the bicycle. 
     
     
         12 . The front fork of  claim 10 , wherein the at least one other hole is configured to mount a disc brake caliper.