A bicycle wheel comprises a rim and a valve assembly. The rim includes a radially inner wall having an inner opening and a radially outer wall having an outer opening. A first portion of the rim includes a first securing feature (e.g., inner threads). The valve assembly is positioned in the inner opening and outer opening and includes a second securing feature (e.g., outer threads) engaging the first securing feature. The rim can include a plate that defines the first engaging feature. The valve assembly preferably includes a valve stem and a resilient bumper coupled to the valve stem and aligned with a second portion of the rim. The valve assembly can further include a seal member compressed between the valve stem and the rim. Preferably, the seal member is positioned in an annular groove in an underside of an enlarged head of the valve stem.

A bicycle rim printing apparatus comprises a non-contact printer to print a non-contact printed deposit to an annular rim body, a rim holder to hold the annular rim body, and a rotational actuator to rotate the rim holder relative to the non-contact printer about a rotational axis.

A wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, including a rim and hub, and spokes between the rim and hub made of fibrous material that causes the spokes to be both lighter in weight and stronger than comparable steel spokes. The spokes are also flexible and resilient such that they can bend while retaining their integrity and strength. The wheel includes a nipple within the rim that receives the high strength spoke and allows for flexibility in adapting the spoke to wheels having differing shapes and sizes.

A longitudinally tapered wheel spoke having a thin aerodynamic cross-sectional profile proximate to the wheel rim and tapering to a round profile toward the central hub, with the tapered section optimized to minimize drag against a combined headwind and crosswind impinging upon the primary vehicle-drag-inducing uppermost region of the wheel assembly.

A bicycle real wheel hub includes pulling spokes and static spokes connected to the disks thereof. The hub includes a tubular portion with two disks respectively connected to two ends of the tubular portion. Multiple protrusions protrude from the inner side of each disk. The head of each pulling spoke is secured to the protrusion corresponding thereto. The head of each static spoke is secured to the disks. The heads of the pulling spokes are located closer to the middle point of the tubular portion than the heads of the static spokes. When the hub rotates, the static spokes provide strength in the axial direction of the hub, and the pulling spokes have strong tension so that the hub bears higher torque.

Methods for wirelessly communicating with vehicle adapted to be at least partially powered by a human are disclosed. An example method may include transmitting data from a device remote from the vehicle and configured to communicate with the vehicle, receiving the data at the vehicle, and configuring a parameter of the vehicle based on the data.

A spoke attachment flange for a bicycle wheel hub is disclosed. The flange has a plurality of seats for housing enlarged spoke heads. Each spoke seat has an access hole that allows the insertion of the enlarged spoke head and an outlet opening that holds the enlarged spoke head when the spoke is tensioned. The access hole and the outlet opening are spaced circumferentially and connected through a connection channel so that an abutment surface abuts the enlarged head and prevents the enlarged head from exiting through the outlet opening. Methods for manufacturing the hub and mounting a spoke on the flange are also disclosed.

Provided is a coupling unit for coupling a tire to a rim, the coupling unit including an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces, in which a maximum length of the coupling unit is larger than a distance between both hooks of the rim, the side surfaces include sliding areas that are slidable with respect to the hooks of the rim such that the coupling unit is easily inserted into the rim while the coupling unit is being inserted into the rim, and in a state in which the coupling unit is completely inserted into the rim, at least a part of the upper surface is in surface contact with lower surfaces of the hooks to prevent the coupling unit from being separated from the rim.

Provided is a coupling unit for coupling a tire to a rim, the coupling unit including an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces, in which a maximum length of the coupling unit is larger than a distance between both hooks of the rim, the side surfaces include sliding areas that are slidable with respect to the hooks of the rim such that the coupling unit is easily inserted into the rim while the coupling unit is being inserted into the rim, and in a state in which the coupling unit is completely inserted into the rim, at least a part of the upper surface is in surface contact with lower surfaces of the hooks to prevent the coupling unit from being separated from the rim.

Provided is a coupling unit for coupling a tire to a rim, the coupling unit including an upper surface, a lower surface, and side surfaces, in which a maximum length of the coupling unit is larger than a distance between both hooks of the rim, the side surfaces include sliding areas that are slidable with respect to the hooks of the rim such that the coupling unit is easily inserted into the rim while the coupling unit is being inserted into the rim, and in a state in which the coupling unit is completely inserted into the rim, at least a part of the upper surface is in surface contact with lower surfaces of the hooks to prevent the coupling unit from being separated from the rim.