Bicycle fork assembly

Abstract

A fork assembly for a bicycle including a frame having a head tube. The fork assembly includes a fork having a fork crown, a steerer tube, and a transition that couples the fork crown to the steerer tube. The transition is adapted to be positioned within the head tube, and defines a transition point between the transition and the steerer tube. The transition has an outer dimension that increases from the steerer tube toward the fork crown. The fork assembly also includes a bearing located adjacent the transition point and configured to rotatably support the fork within the head tube.

1 . A fork assembly for a bicycle frame having a head tube, the fork assembly comprising:
 a fork including
 a fork crown, 
 a steerer tube, and 
 a transition coupling the fork crown to the steerer tube and adapted to be positioned within the head tube, the transition defining a transition point between the transition and the steerer tube, and the transition having an outer dimension that increases from the steerer tube toward the fork crown; and 
   a bearing located adjacent the transition point and configured to rotatably support the fork within the head tube.   
   
   
       2 . The fork assembly of  claim 1 , wherein an outer dimension of the steerer tube at the transition point and an outside dimension of the transition at the transition point are substantially equal. 
   
   
       3 . The fork assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the bearing is located circumferentially around the transition point. 
   
   
       4 . The fork assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the steerer tube, the transition, and the fork crown are an integrally-formed piece of composite material. 
   
   
       5 . The fork assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the transition is frustoconical in shape. 
   
   
       6 . The fork assembly of  claim 1 , wherein a central axis of the steerer tube and an outer surface of the transition define an angle therebetween, and wherein the angle is greater than about 10 degrees. 
   
   
       7 . The fork assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a crown race disposed between the bearing and the transition point, and wherein the crown race is coupled to the fork by one of bonding and co-molding. 
   
   
       8 . The fork assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the fork crown includes a brake mount that is a distance from the bearing, wherein a ratio is defined as the distance divided by a diameter of the lower bearing, and wherein the ratio is at least about 0.7. 
   
   
       9 . A bicycle comprising:
 a frame having a head tube;   a fork assembly including
 a fork having a fork crown, 
 a steerer tube, and 
 a transition coupling the fork crown to the steerer tube and positioned within the head tube, the transition defining a transition point between the transition and the steerer tube, and the transition having an outer dimension that increases from the steerer tube toward the fork crown; and 
   a bearing located adjacent the transition point and rotatably supporting the fork within the head tube.   
   
   
       10 . The bicycle of  claim 9 , wherein an outer dimension of the steerer tube at the transition point and an outside dimension of the transition at the transition point are substantially equal. 
   
   
       11 . The bicycle of  claim 10 , wherein the bearing is located circumferentially around the transition point. 
   
   
       12 . The bicycle of  claim 9 , wherein the steerer tube, the transition, and the fork crown are an integrally-formed piece of composite material. 
   
   
       13 . The bicycle of  claim 9 , wherein the transition is frustoconical in shape. 
   
   
       14 . The bicycle of  claim 9 , wherein a central axis of the steerer tube and an outer surface of the transition define an angle therebetween, and wherein the angle is greater than about 10 degrees. 
   
   
       15 . The bicycle of  claim 9 , further comprising a crown race disposed between the bearing and the transition point, and wherein the crown race is coupled to the fork by one of bonding and co-molding. 
   
   
       16 . The bicycle of  claim 9 , wherein the fork crown includes a brake mount that is a distance from the bearing, wherein a ratio is defined as the distance divided by a diameter of the lower bearing, and wherein the ratio is at least about 0.7.