WO1998050268A1

WO1998050268A1 - Apparatus and method for attaching a bicycle wheel to a bicycle

Info

Publication number: WO1998050268A1
Application number: PCT/US1998/009401
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ronald Powers; Geoffrey F. Ringle
Original assignee: Rockshox Inc
Current assignee: Rockshox Inc
Priority date: 1997-05-07
Filing date: 1998-05-07
Publication date: 1998-11-12
Anticipated expiration: 1999-11-07
Also published as: AU7566498A

Abstract

A bicycle fork (12) has a dropout (20, 22) with a dropout alignment device (56) for aligning a wheel hub (24) with an aperture (34) in the dropout, so that a wheel axle (26) may be inserted for connecting the wheel hub (24) to the fork (12). The dropout alignment device (56) may include an aperture alignment surface (58) or a dropout guide surface (60), or both. The wheel hub (24) preferably includes a hub alignment device (50) configured to operably engage with the dropout alignment device (56).

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR ATTACHING A BICYCLE WHEEL TO A BICYCLE

SPECIFICATION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to mounting a bicycle wheel to a bicycle, and, more particularly, to align- ing a bicycle fork dropout with a bicycle wheel hub in order to insert a wheel axle through the dropout and hub.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A bicycle typically has at least a frame and two wheels . Both wheels have a rim, the outer portion of which provides a mounting surface for a bicycle tire, and the inner portion of which provides a connection surface for several spokes that extend to a wheel hub located at the center of the wheel. A wheel axle is usually mounted on bearings within the hub so that ends of the axle extend from either side of the hub. A bicycle also typically has a fork attached to the front or rear of the frame, or to both the front and rear of the frame, for securing a front or rear wheel to the frame. The upper end of the fork attaches to the bicycle frame and the lower end of the fork includes a dropout portion that attaches to a wheel axle.

Bicycle and bicycle fork designers are continually attempting to improve the connection of the bicycle wheel to the bicycle, or more particularly, of the bicycle wheel hub or axle to the dropout of the bicycle fork. A commonly used arrangement for mounting the dropout to the axle and hub is to simply form a slot in the lower end of each dropout to re- ceive the ends of the wheel axle. The axle is then secured to the dropout by a common fastener; for example, the axle is often threaded and secured to the dropout by a nut, or by a "quick release" assembly. Although this slot-type axle connection device provides a suitable connection of the wheel to the frame for some biking conditions, it does not provide a sufficiently secure connection under other biking conditions. For example, when the wheel is exposed to severe impact or vibration forces such as those experienced during off-road riding, slot-type axle connections may become loose, permitting the fork to lift and separate from the wheel. As a result, the bicycle may be damaged or the rider injured.

In particular, bicycles commonly known as "mountain bikes" are designed specifically for off- road use, and are therefore constantly subject to conditions that may separate the fork from the wheel . Moreover, mountain bikes used in "downhill" applications (high-speed off-road riding and racing) are particularly susceptible to such separation if slot- type axle connections are used. Mountain bikes designed for "downhill" riding are therefore commonly designed with shock-absorbing forks and "oversized" hubs and "fat" axles to endure the high forces experienced during downhill riding. It is thus apparent that slot-type axle connection systems may be insufficiently secure for high-impact biking conditions such as those experienced by mountain bikes, and especially "downhill" mountain bikes.

This problem has been addressed, for exam- pie, in U.S. Patent No. 1,548,680 to Grabowski, which discloses the use of non-slotted, cylindrical dropouts formed separately from the legs of the fork, and having a stem portion which can be extended into a hollow fork leg and secured by a set screw. An integrally formed axle and hub must be pressed into both dropouts before connecting the dropouts to the fork legs.

Similarly, U.S. Patent No. 4,632,415 to San Hai discloses the use of cylindrical dropouts integrally formed on the end of the fork legs. Bearings are placed in the dropouts, and a wheel is secured to the bicycle by positioning the wheel hub between the dropouts, sliding an axle (a bolt) through the dropouts and hub and threading a nut onto the axle. The cylindrical dropouts described in the San Hai patent, which completely encircle the axle, prevent the fork legs from slipping relative to the axle. As a result, these dropouts create a secure connection capable of withstanding extreme impact and vibration conditions. These improvements notwithstanding, designs such as those disclosed in the Grabowski and San Hai patents suffer from a disadvantage in that their connection arrangements are difficult and time-consuming to assemble. In Grabowski, this disadvantage is caused by the need to first attach the dropouts to the hub, one at a time, and then hold the dropouts to prevent them from rotating on the axle bearings while aligning both of the stems of the dropouts with both of the fork legs .

In San Hai, this disadvantage arises primarily from the precision required to position the hub relative to the fork dropouts in order to insert the axle through the dropout bores. In particular, for structural reasons, the outer diameter of an axle must be sized to create a close clearance fit with the diameter of the bores through the hub and dropouts. As a result, the hub bore must be precisely aligned with the dropout bores in order to permit the axle to be inserted completely through these parts . To accomplish this, the fork must be held steady relative to the hub while aligning the bores, and once the hub and dropouts are properly aligned, the axle must be pushed through the bores .

As can be seen from the preceding descriptions, attaching a bicycle wheel to a bicycle using systems such as those described in Grabowski and San Hai is undesirably complicated. Thus, there is a need for an improved bicycle and bicycle fork including a bicycle wheel installation system that provides a secure connection for high impact riding conditions and that is easier to use.

In addition, such systems render the process of mounting a wheel unacceptably time consuming, especially in applications such as bicycle racing, where time is of the essence. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved bicycle and bicycle fork including a bicycle wheel installation system that provides a quicker connection means resulting in a connection suitably secure for high impact riding conditions .

Moreover, assembly of a wheel to a bicycle using these types of systems would be particularly unmanageable and time consuming for a single individual, who, depending upon the particular design, may be forced to hold the bicycle, dropouts and hub steady with respect to one another while attempting to align these parts and, in designs like that disclosed in San Hai, simultaneously insert the axle. Such methods of assembly are made even more undesirable if they are to be attempted in off-road conditions, where uneven terrain and the assistance of other persons may be difficult or impossible to obtain. Thus, there is a need for an improved bicycle and bicycle fork includ- ing a bicycle wheel installation system that provides a quicker connection means able to be more easily used by a single individual, and that results in a connection suitably secure for high impact riding conditions. Accordingly, one object of the present invention is to decrease the level of complication in connecting a bicycle wheel to a bicycle or bicycle fork securely for use in high impact riding conditions . Another object is to decrease the time required to connect a bicycle wheel to the fork of a bicycle securely for use in high impact riding conditions.

A further object of the invention is to de- crease the effort and time required for an individual, without assistance, to connect a bicycle wheel to the fork of a bicycle securely for use in high impact riding conditions .

Additional objects, advantages and novel features of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon examination of the following or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims .

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the foregoing and other objects and advantages are attained by a bicycle including typical features such as a frame and a pair of wheels, at least one of the wheels having a wheel hub and wheel axle, but also including a specially designed fork. The fork has at least one fork leg, and that leg is configured at one end to be attached to the front or rear of the bicycle frame for attaching a front or rear bicycle tire, respectively. The fork leg has a specially designed dropout portion integral with or otherwise connected to the other end of the fork leg. The dropout portion of the fork leg has an aperture, and also has a drop- out alignment device to guide the aperture into axial alignment with a hub of the corresponding front or rear bicycle wheel. Accordingly, the axle of the wheel may be secured in the dropout aperture to rig- idly secure the bicycle wheel to the bicycle.

The dropout alignment device of the present invention can comprise various mechanisms for guiding the dropout aperture into alignment with the wheel hub, such as slots, depressions, grooves, pins or a combination of these types of mechanisms. One such dropout alignment device that may be used is a surface marking the location of the dropout aperture so that by placing the wheel hub against the surface, the wheel hub and aperture are aligned or in near-align- ment . One such surface is a dropout guide surface against which the end of the hub may be placed so that the hub may be slid along the guide surface to achieve alignment .

As an alternative to the guide surface, or in addition to it, an aperture alignment surface may be used that, when the end of a hub is placed against it, would preferably locate the dropout aperture and hub in full alignment, or in close to full alignment so that only moderate movement of the hub and aperture relative to each other would be required in order to achieve full alignment . Preferably, the aperture alignment surface may have a surface or surfaces forming a radial arc of 180 degrees or less about the axis of the dropout aperture. This configuration permits the alignment surface to cradle the hub or axle being aligned. This form of aperture alignment surface also may be used with a dropout guide surface of the type previously described. In such a configuration, the hub may be made to engage the dropout guide surface, and then slid along that surface until it engages the alignment surface, which preferably would indicate full, or, depending upon its placement relative to the aperture, near- full alignment of the hub with the dropout aperture. This combination of alignment surface and guide surface may be preferably arranged so that the guide surface extends from either end of the arc formed by the alignment surface, or from both ends of the arc, so that the alignment and guide surfaces are continuous with respect to one another. The present invention further contemplates a bicycle including a specially designed fork dropout and wheel hub assembly for connecting the bicycle fork to the bicycle wheel. The dropout and hub assembly includes a wheel hub with a first end and a second end, and an axial bore therein. If the axle used is designed to extend through the entire length of the wheel hub, the axial bore of the wheel hub may extend from the first end to the second end of the hub. When used with other axle designs, however, the bore extendd through only part of the wheel hub, or may be eliminated altogether when the wheel axle is integral with the hub. Accordingly, the fork dropout and hub assembly further includes a wheel axle that may be separate from or integral with or otherwise connected to the wheel hub . The dropout of the fork dropout and wheel hub assembly has a main body portion and an axle mounting portion, the main body portion of which is integral with or otherwise connected to the bicycle fork. The axle mounting portion of the dropout has an aperture and a dropout alignment device that preferably has a guide surface and/or an aperture alignment surface as described previously. The wheel hub includes a hub alignment device configured to permit it to engage the dropout alignment device during align- ment of the axial bore of the wheel hub with the dropout aperture .

The hub alignment device may comprise any manner of slots, depressions, grooves, pins or other means, and may advantageously use any part of a com- mon, off-the-shelf bicycle wheel hub, that may be made to cooperate with the dropout aperture device . Preferably, however, the hub alignment device of the wheel hub includes a flange. Also preferably, the flange of the hub alignment device is designed to engage a guide surface, or an aperture alignment su- rface of the dropout, or both.

In addition, the present invention includes a method for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel. This method comprises providing a bicycle fork with a fork dropout that has a dropout alignment de- vice and an aperture. The method further includes providing a bicycle wheel having a wheel hub with an axial bore, whether partially or fully extending through the wheel hub, and a hub alignment device. The hub alignment device is positioned adjacent to the dropout alignment device, and the axial bore of the wheel hub and axis of the dropout aperture are aligned. Finally, according to this method, the axle is positioned so that it extends from the fork dropout aperture and into the hub bore, and the axle is se- cured to prevent its dislodgement from the aperture and/or bore. This method effects a rigid connection between the bicycle frame and the bicycle wheel.

Any type of dropout alignment device may be used in performing this method, although it is prefer- able to use a dropout alignment device comprising a guide surface, alignment surface or both, as previ- ously described. The method may also use any type of hub alignment device, although it is preferable to use one comprising a flange configured, as previously described, to be able to engage the dropout alignment device.

Still other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in this art from the following detailed description, wherein only the preferred embodiment of the invention is described, simply by way of illustration of the best mode contemplated of carrying out the invention. As will be realized, the invention is capable of other and different embodiments, and its several details are capable of modifications in vari- ous obvious respects, all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawing and description are to be regarded as illustrative in nature, and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the detailed description provided below, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention as applied to a bicycle including a bicycle front fork for attaching a front wheel to the bicycle. The drawings may be described as follows:

FIG. 1A is a front view of a bicycle fork used in a preferred embodiment of the present inven- tion;

FIG. IB is a side view of the bicycle fork taken along line IB -- IB of FIG. 1A, but with the wheel hub omitted;

FIG. 2A is a side view of the dropout por- tion of one leg of the bicycle fork taken along line

2A -- 2A of FIG. 1A, but with the wheel hub omitted;

FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the dropout portion as shown in FIG. IB;

FIG. 2C is a top view of the dropout portion of one leg of the bicycle fork taken along line 2C -- 2C of FIG. 1A, but with the wheel hub omitted;

FIG. 2D is an enlarged front view of the fork dropout portion shown in FIG. 2A;

FIG. 3A is a perspective view of a wheel hub used in a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 3B is an orthographic view of the wheel hub of FIG. 3A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Although specific embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, such embodiments are by way of example only and are merely illustrative of the many conceivable embodiments which can represent applications of the principles of the present invention. For example, although the drawings illustrate the preferred embodiment of a shock-absorbing bicycle front fork having two fork legs and two dropouts, the present invention applies equally to a rigid (non-shock-absorbing) front or rear fork, or to a front or rear fork having only one fork leg and one fork dropout . Various changes and modifications obvious to one skilled in the art to which the present invention pertains are within the scope and spirit of the present invention as further defined in the appended claims.

A preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown generally in FIGS. 1A through 3B. Referring to FIG. 1, a bicycle (not shown) comprises a front fork 12 for attaching a front bicycle wheel to a bicycle frame (not shown) . Although the present invention may be practiced using only a single fork leg, the front fork 12 includes a pair of fork legs 14 and 16, which are spaced apart from one another and connected by crowns 18. The fork 12 may be attached to the bicycle in a conventional manner, such as by connecting crowns 18 to a tube (known as a steerer tube) attached to the frame and handlebars (not shown) .

Both fork legs 14 and 16 have a first portion 13 and a dropout portion 15. The dropout portions 15 of the fork legs 14 and 16 include dropouts 20 and 22, respectively. The fork dropouts 20 and 22 are substantially the same, one being the mirror image of the other. Therefore, descriptions of dropout 20 are intended to apply as well to dropout 22, and vice- versa. As shown in FIGS. 2A through 2D, dropout 20 or 22 includes a main body portion 30 and an axle mounting portion 32. Main body portion 30 is integral to or otherwise rigidly connected to leg 16, the lower end of which is received in opening 31. Main body portion 30 is also provided with a mounting flange F for attaching a disc brake caliper of the type commonly used on mountain bikes for "downhill" riding. The axle mounting portion 32 is integrally formed on the main body portion 30 and includes an aperture 34 extending therethrough for receiving an axle 26 (drawn with dotted lines in FIG. 1A) . The axle mounting portion 32 is designed to extend more than 180 degrees around the outer perimeter of axle 26, for ensuring that once axle 26 is received in aperture 34 of the axle mounting portion 32, it will not be able to be dislodged from the aperture 34 in a radial direction. Once axle 26 is received in aperture 34, it may be secured relative to the axle mounting portion 32 by means of, for example, a slot 36 extending from aperture 34 completely through axle mounting portion 32. Specifically, slot 36 creates an arm 38. Two screws 40 are placed through arm 38 and threaded into threaded apertures in the surface of the axle mounting portion 32. The aperture 34 is closely sized to the axle 26, such that by tightening screws 40, axle 26 will be securely clamped in aperture 34.

As illustrated in FIG. 1A, a wheel hub 24 is positioned between dropouts 20 and 22. Wheel hub 24 forms the center of the bicycle wheel (not shown) . As illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, wheel hub 24 has a first end 45 and a second end 47, a central portion 42 and an axial bore 48 extending through the first end 45, second end 47 and central portion 42 of the wheel hub 24. The bicycle wheel is connected to the bicycle

by inserting the wheel axle 26 through dropout apertures 34 and bore 48 of wheel hub 24. As shown in FIG. 2A, dropouts 20 and 22 include a dropout alignment device 56 for aligning apertures 34 with bore 48 of wheel hub 24. In this embodiment, the dropout alignment device 56 includes an ape- rture alignment surface 58 and a dropout guide surface 60, both of which are formed by recess 52. Aperture alignment surface 58 has the shape of a circular arc formed using a radius centered at the center of aperture 34. Specifically, aperture alignment surface 58 extends radially, preferably through an arc of 180 degrees or less, about the axis of aperture 34. When wheel hub 24 is placed against aperture alignment surface 58, the hub 24 is at least partially restrained from moving side-to-side or upwards on the surface of the axle mounting portion 32 of dropout 22 while axle 26 is inserted and secured.

In this embodiment, dropout guide surface 60 includes two linear portions, one portion extending from one end of aperture alignment surface 58, and the other portion extending from the other end of aperture alignment surface 58. When wheel hub 24 is placed against the dropout guide surface 60, the hub 24 is restrained from moving side-to-side on the surface of the axle mounting portion 32 of dropout 22. Hub 24 is then able to be slid along guide surface 60 until it contacts aperture alignment surface 58, which defines the precise position where axial bore 48 and aperture 34 are aligned. Thus, by sliding hub 24 along guide surface 60 and in the vicinity of alignment surface 58, the aperture 34 will be easily and quickly aligned with the axial bore 48 of wheel hub 24 so that axle 26 may be inserted though the aperture 34 and wheel hub 24.

As generally discussed above, it will be appreciated that although dropout alignment device 56 as described preferably includes an aperture alignment surface 58 and a dropout guide surface 60 formed from a recess 52, a wide range of slots, depressions, pins, grooves or other such means may comprise the alignment device 56 of the present invention. Further, although preferable, it is not necessary for dropout alignment device 56 to incorporate both aperture alignment surface 58 and dropout guide surface 60. In addition, although the aperture alignment surface 58 of this preferred embodiment is illustrated as a radial arc, it may be formed of a non-radial arc, or of a squared, irregularly shaped or other type surface able to at least partially restrain and guide wheel hub 24 with respect to aperture 34. Similarly, although preferable, dropout guide surface 60 need not be comprised of linear surfaces, it need not have two surfaces, and such surfaces need not extend from the dropout guide surface 60. Also, neither the aperture alignment surface 58 nor the dropout guide surface 60 need be comprised of continuous surfaces. In addition, where two dropouts are provided, although it is preferable for both dropouts to employ a dropout alignment device, it is possible to use a dropout alignment device on only one dropout .

As shown in FIG. 3A, the wheel hub 24 of the present invention preferably includes a hub alignment device 50 designed to be compatible with the dropout alignment device 56 of the dropout 22, thus forming a fork dropout and wheel hub assembly 28 (shown in FIG. 1A) . The fork dropout and wheel hub assembly 28, by providing devices 50 and 56 that cooperatively engage, ensures the quick and easy alignment of the aperture 34 with the wheel hub bore 48.

For example, in the preferred embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B, hub alignment device 50 comprises a hub alignment flange 54. Hub alignment flange 54 is an annular member axially aligned with and surrounding the hub bore 48, and extending outwardly from end 47 of wheel hub 24. In addition, hub alignment flange 54 has the same radius of curvature as aperture alignment surface 58 so that hub alignment flange 54 and aperture alignment surface 58 may be matingly engaged or abutted for securely posi- tioning wheel hub 24 in a fixed aligned position relative to aperture 34 of dropout 22. Moreover, in this preferred embodiment, aperture alignment surface 58 is positioned with respect to aperture 34 such that when hub alignment flange 54 is matingly abutted within the arc of the aperture alignment surface 58, hub bore 48 and aperture 34 are precisely axially aligned.

It should be noted that by forming hub alignment flange 54 as an annular flange axially aligned with hub bore 48, the hub alignment flange 54 may be moved into dropout guide portion 60 and/or aperture alignment surface 58 without regard to the particular angular position of alignment flange 54, so that the bicycle wheel need not be restrained during attachment of the wheel to the bicycle, and may rotate freely without impeding the assembly process. In addition, although a discontinuous alignment flange may be used, a continuous alignment flange is preferable because it has greater resistance to deformation. Furthermore, hubs with annular flanges similar to flange 54 are commercially available, for example, from Ringle Components, Inc., of Trenton, New Jersey, although such flanges have served no function comparable to that of hub alignment flange 54. Accordingly, matching dropout alignment device 56 with such a commercially available hub would eliminate the need to manufacture a specially designed wheel hub and reduce the cost of implementing the present invention.

To attach a bicycle wheel to a bicycle in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the pres- ent invention, wheel hub 24 is positioned between fork dropouts 20 and 22 with hub alignment flanges 54 positioned adjacent to dropout guide surfaces 60. With screws 40 loosened, wheel hub 24 and fork dropouts 20 and 22 are moved relative to one another so as to slide hub alignment flanges 54 along dropout guide surfaces 60 into engagement with aperture alignment surface 58 of dropout alignment device 56.

Typically, this positioning step may be accomplished by placing the wheel upright on the ground, and while holding the wheel at its rim, lowering the fork 12 so that one of fork legs 14 and 16 is positioned on either side of the wheel. The position of fork 12 can be easily adjusted while lowering fork 12 so that both hub alignment flanges 54 engage re- spective guide surfaces 60. Fork 12 is then simply lowered until hub alignment flanges 54 abut the respective aperture alignment surfaces 58 of dropout alignment device 56. At this point, hub bore 48 is in precise alignment with apertures 34. The wheel need no longer be held, as the weight of the bicycle and bicycle fork 12 maintains the engagement of the aper- ture alignment surfaces 58 and the hub alignment flanges 54. Thus, the hand previously used to hold the wheel rim may now be used to insert the wheel axle 26 into the aperture 34 of one of the two fork drop- outs 20 or 22, through the hub bore 48, and through the other aperture 34 of the other of the two fork dropouts 20 and 22. Screws 40 are then tightened to secure wheel axle 26 in axle mounting portions 32.

As is apparent from this description, drop- out alignment device 56, particularly when used in conjunction with hub alignment device 50 to form a fork dropout and wheel hub assembly 28, greatly minimizes the effort required to securely attach a bicycle wheel to a bicycle. Furthermore, the attachment operation may be performed rapidly, because aperture alignment surfaces 58, dropout guide surfaces 60 and hub alignment flanges 54 provide nearly automatic alignment of the apertures 34 and hub bore 48. Furthermore, particularly when compared to attachment systems known in the art, the attachment operation can be easily and quickly performed by a single individual.

While there is shown and described herein certain specific structures comprising aspects of the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept, and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the claims that follow.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A bicycle comprising: a bicycle frame; a pair of bicycle wheels, at least one of said wheels having a wheel hub; a wheel axle configured for operative engagement with said wheel hub; at least one fork, said fork having a fork leg, said fork leg having a first portion and a drop- out portion; said first portion of said fork leg being configured for operative attachment to said bicycle frame; and said dropout portion of said fork leg com- prising an aperture and a dropout alignment device; whereby said aperture of said dropout may be guided into axial alignment with said wheel hub and said wheel axle may be secured in said aperture.

2. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein said wheel hub comprises a hub alignment device configured for operative engagement of said dropout alignment de- vice for aligning said aperture with said wheel hub.

3. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises a dropout guide surface.

4. The bicycle of claim 1, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises an aperture align- ment surface .

5. The bicycle of claim 4, wherein said aperture has an axis and said aperture alignment sur- face extends radially, through an arc of 180 degrees or less, about said axis of said aperture.

6. The bicycle of claim 5, wherein said wheel hub comprises a hub alignment device having a flange configured for operative engagement of said aperture alignment surface for aligning said aperture with said wheel hub.

7. The bicycle of claim 6, wherein: said dropout alignment device further com- prises a dropout guide surface; said aperture alignment surface has a first end and a second end; and said dropout guide surface extends from said first and second ends of said aperture alignment surface.

8. A bicycle fork for connecting a bicycle frame to a bicycle wheel, said bicycle fork compris- ing: a fork leg having a first portion and a dropout portion; said first portion of said fork leg being configured for operative connection to said bicycle frame,- and said dropout portion of said fork leg com- prising an aperture and dropout alignment means for guiding said aperture of said dropout into axial alignment with a wheel hub so that a wheel axle may be secured in said aperture.

9. A bicycle fork for connecting a bicycle frame to a bicycle wheel, said bicycle fork compris- ing: a fork leg having a first portion and a dropout portion; said first portion of said fork leg being configured for operative connection to said bicycle frame; and said dropout portion of said fork leg com- prising an aperture and a dropout alignment device; whereby said aperture of said dropout may be guided into axial alignment with a wheel hub so that a wheel axle may be secured in said aperture .

10. The bicycle fork of claim 9, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises a dropout guide surface.

11. The bicycle fork of claim 9, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises an aperture alignment surface.

12. The bicycle fork of claim 11, wherein said aperture has an axis and said aperture alignment surface extends radially, through an arc of 180 de- grees or less, about said axis of said aperture.

13. The bicycle fork of claim 12, wherein said dropout alignment device further comprises a dropout guide surface and said aperture alignment surface has a first end and a second end, said dropout guide surface extending from said first and second ends of said aperture alignment surface.

14. A bicycle fork dropout for use in connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, said bicycle fork dropout comprising a main body portion and an axle mounting portion, said main body portion being configured for operative connection to said bicycle fork, and said axle mounting portion having an aperture and a dropout alignment device, whereby said aperture of said dropout may be guided into axial alignment with a wheel hub and a wheel axle may be secured in said aperture.

15. The bicycle fork dropout of claim 14, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises a dropout guide surface .

16. The bicycle fork dropout of claim 14, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises an aperture alignment surface .

17. The bicycle fork dropout of claim 16, wherein said aperture has an axis and said aperture alignment surface extends radially, through an arc of 180 degrees or less, about said axis of said aperture.

18. The bicycle fork dropout of claim 17, wherein: said dropout alignment device further com- prises a dropout guide surface; said aperture alignment surface has a first end and a second end; and said dropout guide surface extends from said first and second ends of said aperture alignment sur- face.

19. A bicycle fork dropout and wheel hub assembly for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, said bicycle fork dropout and wheel hub assem- bly comprising: at least one dropout having a main body portion and an axle mounting portion, said main body portion being configured for operative connection to said bicycle fork, and said axle mounting portion having an aperture and a dropout alignment device; a wheel hub having a first end, a second end, an axial bore and a hub alignment device config- ured for operative engagement with said dropout align- ment device; and a wheel axle for insertion in said aperture and said axial bore of said wheel hub for connecting said wheel hub to said dropout.

20. The bicycle fork dropout and wheel hub assembly of claim 19, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises a dropout guide surface.

21. The bicycle fork dropout and wheel hub assembly of claim 19, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises an aperture alignment surface.

22. The bicycle fork dropout and wheel hub assembly of claim 21, wherein said aperture has an ax- is and said aperture alignment surface extends radi- ally, through an arc of 180 degrees or less, about said axis of said aperture.

23. The bicycle fork dropout and wheel hub assembly of claim 22, wherein said hub alignment de- vice comprises a flange.

24. The bicycle fork dropout and wheel hub assembly of claim 23, wherein: said dropout alignment device further comprises a dropout guide surface,- said aperture alignment surface has a first end and a second end; and said dropout guide surface extends from said first and second ends of said aperture alignment surface.

25. A method for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, said method comprising the steps of: providing a bicycle fork having a fork drop- out including a dropout alignment device and an aper- ture ,- providing a bicycle wheel having a wheel hub with an axial bore; providing a wheel axle configured for opera- tive attachment to said wheel hub and operative en- gagement of said aperture; positioning said wheel hub adjacent to said dropout alignment device; engaging said dropout alignment device with said wheel hub; moving said wheel hub relative to said drop- out alignment device to guide said axial bore of said wheel hub into alignment with said dropout aperture; positioning said axle so that it extends from said hub and into said fork dropout aperture; and securing said axle in said fork dropout aperture.

26. The method of claim 25 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein said wheel hub further comprises a hub alignment device config- ured for operative engagement of said dropout align- ment device.

27. The method of claim 25 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises a dropout guide surface.

28. The method of claim 25 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises an aperture alignment sur- face.

29. The method of claim 28 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein said aperture has an axis, and said aperture alignment surface ex- tends radially, through an arc of 180 degrees or less, about said axis of said aperture.

30. The method of claim 29 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein said wheel hub further comprises a hub alignment device having a flange configured for operative engagement of said aperture alignment surface and said dropout guide surface .

31. The method of claim 30 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein: said dropout alignment device further com- prises a dropout guide surface; said aperture alignment surface has a first end and a second end; and said dropout guide surface extends from said first and second ends of said aperture alignment surface.

32. A method for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, said method comprising the steps of: providing a bicycle fork having a fork drop- out including a dropout alignment device and an aper- ture ; providing a bicycle wheel having a wheel hub comprising an axial bore and a hub alignment device; providing a wheel axle configured for inser- tion into said axial bore of said wheel hub and for insertion into said aperture; positioning said hub alignment device adja- cent to said dropout alignment device; engaging said dropout alignment device and said wheel hub alignment device; moving said wheel hub relative to said drop- out alignment device to guide said axial bore of said wheel hub into alignment with said dropout aperture; inserting said axle into said axial bore of said wheel hub and into said fork dropout aperture; and securing said axle in said fork dropout aperture.

33. The method of claim 32 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein said hub alignment device comprises a flange configured for operative engagement of said dropout surface for aligning said aperture with said wheel hub.

34. The method of claim 32 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises a dropout guide surface.

35. The method of claim 32 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein said dropout alignment device comprises an aperture alignment sur- face.

36. The method of claim 35 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein said aperture has an axis, and said aperture alignment surface ex- tends radially, through an arc of 180 degrees or less, about said axis of said aperture.

37. The method of claim 36 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein said hub alignment device comprises a flange configured for operative engagement of said aperture alignment surface for aligning said aperture with said wheel hub.

38. The method of claim 36 for connecting a bicycle fork to a bicycle wheel, wherein: said dropout alignment device further com- prises a dropout guide surface; said aperture alignment surface has a first end and a second end; and said dropout guide surface extends from said first and second ends of said aperture alignment surface.