Gt Bicycles, Inc.

Gt Bicycle, Inc.

Steven H Olson

James S Busby

Stanley A Needle

Jeffrey A Soucek

Sean W Flickinger

A composite bicycle frame comprising a continuous frame tube defining cross bar, down tube, and seat tube portions. The frame tube is formed from a fiber reinforced polymer composite. Integrally connected to the frame tube are seat tube, bottom bracket, and head tube fittings. The cross bar portion of the frame tube extends between the seat tube and head tube fittings, with the down tube portion extending between the bottom bracket and head tube fittings. The seat tube portion itself extends between the seat tube and bottom bracket fittings.

Composite bicycle frame and method of manufacture

A bicycle frame has a seat tube fitting to which a seat is attachable, a head tube fitting to which forks are attachable, and a bottom bracket fitting to which a crank shaft is attachable. A single frame tube of fiber reinforced polymer composite interconnects the seat tube fitting, head tube fitting, and bottom bracket fitting in a manner which provides a lightweight, and durable bicycle frame. The single frame tube is formed by disposing the seat tube fitting, head tube fitting, and bottom bracket fitting within a first mold section, then disposing a bladder covered with polymer impregnated fiber within the first mold section such that the bladder passes through openings in the seat tube fitting, head tube fitting, and bottom bracket fitting. The bladder is then inflated while the polymer impregnated fiber is heated so as to form a fiber reinforced polymer composite which conforms to the shape of the cavity formed within the mold, thereby defining the desired bicycle frame.

Composite bicycle frame and method of manufacturing

Bicycle frame

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Corona, CA, United States of America

Steven H Olson