Saddle Tube for a Bicycle Frame

Abstract

In a saddle tube for a bicycle frame, especially a racing bicycle frame, the bottom bracket end ( 22 ) of the saddle tube is wider in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction ( 24 ) of the frame than in the longitudinal direction ( 24 ) of the frame. According to the invention, the saddle tube ( 18 ) has a flat portion ( 32 ) at the chain ring side.

1 . A saddle tube for a bicycle frame, especially a racing bicycle frame, the bottom bracket end ( 22 ) of the saddle tube ( 18 ) being wider (b) in a direction transverse to the longitudinal direction ( 24 ) of the frame than in the longitudinal direction ( 24 ) of the frame,
 wherein   the saddle tube ( 18 ) has a flat portion ( 32 ) at the side of the chain ring.   
   
   
       2 . The saddle tube of  claim 1 , wherein the bottom bracket end ( 22 ) is at least partly shaped as a transverse oval. 
   
   
       3 . The saddle tube of  claim 1 , wherein the saddle tube ( 18 ) is shaped circularly cylindrical at its saddle post end ( 20 ). 
   
   
       4 . The saddle tube of  claim 1 , wherein, in a bottom bracket portion ( 28 ), the cross section of the saddle tube ( 18 ) is constant in the longitudinal direction of the saddle tube. 
   
   
       5 . The saddle tube of  claim 1 , wherein, in a saddle post portion ( 26 ), the cross section of the saddle tube ( 18 ) is constant in the longitudinal direction of the saddle tube. 
   
   
       6 . The saddle tube of  claim 5 , wherein the saddle tube ( 18 ) has a substantially conical transition portion ( 30 ) between the bottom bracket portion ( 28 ) and the saddle post portion ( 26 ). 
   
   
       7 . The saddle tube of  claim 6 , wherein the flat portion ( 32 ) extends into the transition portion ( 30 ). 
   
   
       8 . The saddle tube of  claim 7 , wherein the flat portion ( 32 ) is configured such that it passes smoothly into the saddle post portion ( 26 ). 
   
   
       9 . The saddle tube of  claim 1 , wherein the flat portion ( 32 ) extends from the bottom bracket portion ( 22 ) of the saddle tube to the saddle post portion ( 26 ). 
   
   
       10 . The saddle tube of  claim 1 , wherein the distance (b 2 ) between a longitudinal axis ( 34 ) of the saddle tube and the flat portion ( 32 ) at the bottom bracket end ( 22 ) corresponds to the radius of the saddle tube at the saddle post end. 
   
   
       11 . (canceled)