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.

A wheel with flexible spokes, 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.

A nonpneumatic tire includes a tread portion, an upper ring, and a plurality of spokes extending radially downward from the upper ring. Each spoke terminates at a lower end having a spoke mount configured to engage a corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under substantially no tension when the tread portion is not in contact with a ground surface and when each spoke mount is disengaged from its corresponding hub mount. Each spoke is under tension when the tread portion is not in contact with the ground surface and when each spoke mount is engaged with its corresponding hub mount.

A method of manufacturing a lightweight wheel with high strength flexible spokes of the present invention, includes providing a rim and hub, and a plurality of lightweight, flexible and resilient 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 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.

An aerodynamic tailfin rotatably attached to a shaft-shaped member disposed on a vehicle. The tailfin swivels about the round shaft-shaped member for reduced drag in response to winds varying in direction impinging thereon.

A wheel for use with a bicycle includes a hub for mounting the wheel to a bicycle, a rim about which a tire is mountable, and a plurality of spokes that extend between the hub and the rim. The rim and/or one or more of the spokes have a leading and/or trailing edge, at least part of which has an undulating configuration.

A minimal fairing apparatus minimally shielding the faster-moving drag-sensitive uppermost wheel surfaces from headwinds reduces overall vehicle drag. The apparatus includes various upper wheel fairings of FIGS. 1-6. Each fairing shields a primary vehicle-drag-inducing upper wheel surface from headwinds otherwise impinging thereon.

A combination structure of a hub and spokes is provided, including: a hub shell, having separate small and large flanges, the small and large flanges having first and second assembling holes, respectively; a plurality of first spokes, assembled to one of the first assembling holes and a wheel rim; a plurality of second spokes, including cylindrical spokes and aero bladed spokes, the cylindrical spokes and aero bladed spokes being alternatively assembled to the second assembling holes and to the wheel rim; as viewed along an axial direction of the hub shell, every two of the second spokes which are neighboring to each other intersect with each other to define an intersecting area, each first spoke extends and passes through one of the intersecting areas.

A method and system for creating a hybrid tensile member combining a synthetic fiber cable and a rigid rod. An anchor is attached to one or more ends of the synthetic cable. The anchor is used to connect an end of the fiber cable to a length of conventional rod, preferably through the use of a swaging operation. Each rod segment includes a standard end feature on its free endsuch as a threaded shaft or J-bend. The hybrid assembly can preferably be retrofitted to applications that now use a conventional rod.