The present invention relates to a head assembly for a bicycle including a front fork tube arranged to extend through a head tube of a frame of the bicycle and a tensioning assembly for tensioning of the headset assembly relative to the front fork tube, such as for rotation relative to the front fork tube by means of a suitable bearing. The tensioning assembly includes a tensioning member, such as a bridge or star, preferably with an inner screw thread, arranged in the front fork tube, suitable for receiving a fixation tensioner, such as a tensioning bolt, preferably with an outer screw thread, and for receiving of a tensioning force of the headset assembly, a tensioning sleeve for arranging about a length of an end of the front fork tube and for extending somewhat beyond the end of the end of the front fork tube, and a tensioning cap for applying the tension between the front fork tube and the tensioning sleeve by means of the fixation tensioner. The headset assembly is suitable for functional mounting and tensioning by means of the fixation tensioner prior to mounting of a bicycle handlebar or handlebar bend to the headset assembly.

Headsets and head tube assemblies for vehicles are provided. The vehicle includes a steerer tube and a head tube. The headset is rotatably connected to the steerer tube and the head tube. The headset includes a coupling ring that has a body and a central bore defined in and extending through the body. The coupling ring is connectable to and rotatable with the steerer tube. A cup that has a body and a central bore defined in and extending through the body. The cup is connectable to and rotatable with the head tube. A bearing assembly disposed between the cup and the coupling ring. The bearing assembly has an inner race, an outer race, and a bearing member disposed between the inner race and the outer race. A damping fluid surrounds the bearing member to dampen vibrations between the steerer tube and the head tube.

Headsets and head tube assemblies for vehicles are provided. The vehicle includes a steerer tube and a head tube. The headset is rotatably connected to the steerer tube and the head tube. The headset includes a coupling ring that has a body and a central bore defined in and extending through the body. The coupling ring is connectable to and rotatable with the steerer tube. A cup that has a body and a central bore defined in and extending through the body. The cup is connectable to and rotatable with the head tube. A bearing assembly disposed between the cup and the coupling ring. The bearing assembly has an inner race, an outer race, and a bearing member disposed between the inner race and the outer race. A damping fluid surrounds the bearing member to dampen vibrations between the steerer tube and the head tube.

A system for manipulating the steering axis angle of an object is provided. The system is beneficial for improving performance and enjoyability of use for objects employing a steering axis, including bicycles, toys, tools, sporting goods, and other modes of transportation. The system includes a reversible bearing plate with a bearing plate bore that permits passage of a steerer tube through a head tube when reversible bearing plates are installed at the head tube ends. The bearing plate bore may be at the center of the reversible bearing plate to maintain a steering axis coaxial with the head tube central axis. The bearing plate bore may be offset from the center of the reversible bearing plate and may employ an angled annular space such that when reversible bearing plates are installed oppositely at the head tube ends, the steering axis is offset from the center of each reversible bearing plate generating an angle between the steerer tube central axis and the head tube central axis, resulting in a correspondingly steeper or slacker head angle. Methods of employing reversible bearing plates for maintaining, steepening, or slackening the head angle of a bicycle are provided.

A system for manipulating the steering axis angle of an object is provided. The system is beneficial for improving performance and enjoyability of use for objects employing a steering axis, including bicycles, toys, tools, sporting goods, and other modes of transportation. The system includes a reversible bearing plate with a bearing plate bore that permits passage of a steerer tube through a head tube when reversible bearing plates are installed at the head tube ends. The bearing plate bore may be at the center of the reversible bearing plate to maintain a steering axis coaxial with the head tube central axis. The bearing plate bore may be offset from the center of the reversible bearing plate and may employ an angled annular space such that when reversible bearing plates are installed oppositely at the head tube ends, the steering axis is offset from the center of each reversible bearing plate generating an angle between the steerer tube central axis and the head tube central axis, resulting in a correspondingly steeper or slacker head angle. Methods of employing reversible bearing plates for maintaining, steepening, or slackening the head angle of a bicycle are provided.

The present invention is a minimum size, maneuverable, comfortable, safe, and inexpensive compact vehicle, having a higher level of cornering/turning stability than the current state of the art. The inventive design may be applied to two-, three-, and four- (or more) wheeled vehicles. The invention may be utilized in the design of the main components of vehicles providing an increased stability during turning, even at high speeds, based on fixed and moveable chassis portions which swing in relation to one another and novel linking mechanisms connected with large and/or wide wheel portions.

The present invention is a minimum size, maneuverable, comfortable, safe, and inexpensive compact vehicle, having a higher level of cornering/turning stability than the current state of the art. The inventive design may be applied to two-, three-, and four- (or more) wheeled vehicles. The invention may be utilized in the design of the main components of vehicles providing an increased stability during turning, even at high speeds, based on fixed and moveable chassis portions which swing in relation to one another and novel linking mechanisms connected with large and/or wide wheel portions.

A shock absorber includes a stationary part; a steering part extending in a longitudinal direction and rotatably coupled to the stationary part by a rotation axis in the longitudinal direction; a sliding part which forms an internal space containing fluid between the steering part and slidably coupled to the steering part in a direction in which the steering part extends; an elastic body having both ends respectively coupled to the steering part and the sliding part to support the steering part and the sliding part and maintain the internal space between the steering part and the sliding part; a flow path formed in the sliding part and configured to communicate the internal space between the steering part and the sliding part to outside so that the fluid can flow; and a steered driving wheel slidably connected to the sliding part.

A bicycle fork including two fork legs connected with each other via a fork bridge. The fork bridge is connected with a steer tube. For a simpler arrangement of shift cables, hydraulic lines, cables and the like, the steer tube includes at least one flattening extending in the longitudinal direction of the steer shaft.

A bicycle fork including two fork legs connected with each other via a fork bridge. The fork bridge is connected with a steer tube. For a simpler arrangement of shift cables, hydraulic lines, cables and the like, the steer tube includes at least one flattening extending in the longitudinal direction of the steer shaft.