An aerodynamic bicycle rim comprising: a circumferential outer portion comprising a circumferential outer surface, the circumferential outer portion adapted to seat a bicycle tire; a nose; and a set of sidewalls, each sidewall extending radially from the nose of the aerodynamic bicycle rim to a corresponding transition to the circumferential outer surface to form a rim body having a maximum rim body width that is greater than a maximum width of the bicycle tire. The aerodynamic bicycle rim is operable to seat the bicycle tire so that the aerodynamic bicycle rim and the bicycle tire form an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape.

A vehicle wheel rim for use on a motor vehicle, having a wheel rim well (1, 29), having an inner wheel rim flange (7, 30) and having an outer wheel rim flange, wherein the wheel rim well (1, 29) is delimited at its axial end regions by in each case one of the wheel rim flanges (7, 30), wherein the wheel rim flanges (7, 30) are formed by a radially encircling wall, said walls extending in each case at a predefinable angle (5, 27) with respect to the wheel rim well (1, 29).

Embodiments described herein provide aerodynamic bicycle rims and wheels. Embodiments can include a bicycle rim that is wider than the width of the tire proximate to the outer edge of the rim and is shaped so that there is a tangent line tangent to the rim and the tire. The tangent line can be tangent to the rim on the sidewall or elsewhere on the rim. The widest part of the rim can be radially inward from the outer edge of the rim or elsewhere on the rim and the tangent line can be tangent at the widest part of the rim or elsewhere on the rim.

An aerodynamic bicycle rim comprising: a circumferential outer portion comprising a circumferential outer surface, the circumferential outer portion adapted to seat a bicycle tire; a nose; and a set of sidewalls, each sidewall extending radially from the nose of the aerodynamic bicycle rim to a corresponding transition to the circumferential outer surface to form a rim body having a maximum rim body width that is greater than a maximum width of the bicycle tire. The aerodynamic bicycle rim is operable to seat the bicycle tire so that the aerodynamic bicycle rim and the bicycle tire form an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape.

An aerodynamic bicycle rim comprising: a circumferential outer portion comprising a circumferential outer surface, the circumferential outer portion adapted to seat a bicycle tire; a nose; and a set of sidewalls, each sidewall extending radially from the nose of the aerodynamic bicycle rim to a corresponding transition to the circumferential outer surface to form a rim body having a maximum rim body width that is greater than a maximum width of the bicycle tire. The aerodynamic bicycle rim is operable to seat the bicycle tire so that the aerodynamic bicycle rim and the bicycle tire form an asymmetrical cross-sectional shape.

A hub for a bicycle has a body (10) which is hollow and tubular, an inner gear (14) which is formed on an inner surface at an end of the body (10). A gear set (20) is engaged with the inner gear (14), and a wheel base (30) is rotatably engaged with the gear set (20) unidirectionally. Two shock-absorbing gaskets (40) are attached respectively to two sides of the gear set (20).

A magnetically coupled ball drive system for actuation of spherical surfaces and wheels is disclosed. An internal support structure interacts with exterior drive wheels magnetically to produce rotational motion. A related improvement involving reduction of slip due to insufficient traction is also presented to establish a design for a more robust and versatile device that can be used in robotics or for producing vehicle locomotion.