Abstract:
A bicycle front end assembly is provided which is configured to reduce aerodynamic drag. In particular, an axis shaft of a fork may be mounted to a head tube of a bicycle frame. A fork head may be disposed in front of the head tube for providing a front end assembly which is aerodynamically configured while providing an increased moment of inertia compared with traditional designs to reduce drag of the bicycle and increase steering stiffness. Also, the handlebar may be attached to the fork head such that when the bicycle is steered to the left, the fork head is rotated toward the left and when the bicycle is steered to the right, the fork head is rotated toward the right. In this manner, the fork head is alignable to the travel direction of the bicycle.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This is a continuation in part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/595,205 filed on Nov. 10, 2006, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/826,516, filed on Sep. 21, 2006, the entire contents of which are both incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT 
       [0002]    Not Applicable 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    The present invention is related to a bicycle front end assembly, and more particularly, to an aerodynamically shaped front end of the bicycle. 
         [0004]    In prior art bicycles, the fork and handlebar are attached to a head tube of the bicycle frame via a threaded headset (see  FIG. 1 ) or a non-threaded headset (see  FIG. 2 ). In relation to threaded headsets, the fork may comprise a steerer shaft which protrudes upwardly from a fork crown which joins fork legs. The steerer shaft is sized and configured to be received within the head tube of the frame. A lower bearing is interposed between the lower end portion of the head tube and the fork crown. Also, an upper bearing is interposed between the upper end portion of the head tube and an upper cone or cup which is attached to the upper end portion of the head tube. The upper and lower bearings allow the fork to pivot about the head tube of the bicycle frame. 
         [0005]    The handlebar stem is inserted into the steerer shaft. The handlebar stem has a lower quill that frictionally engages the wedge. The handlebar stem and the steerer shaft are engaged to each other via a compression bolt. The compression bolt is insertable through the handlebar stem and threadably engagable to an internal thread of the quill. The compression bolt expands the quill and wedge to fixedly attach the handlebar stem and fork. After the handlebar stem is attached to the steerer shaft, the handlebar is attached to the handlebar stem. 
         [0006]    In a threadless system, the steerer shaft is sufficiently long so as to protrude through the upper end of the head tube. The lower bearing is disposed between the fork crown and the lower end portion of the head tube. The upper bearing is disposed between upper end portion of the head tube carrying an upper cone or cup. The handlebar stem is directly attached to the upper end portion of the steerer shaft. The handlebar is then attached to the steerer shaft. 
         [0007]    As you will note in the prior art, the handlebar/handlebar stem is always directly attached to or is supported by the steerer shaft which extends through the head tube of the bicycle frame. Such configuration is not optimal in the structural and aerodynamic sense because the load bearing steerer shaft must be sized smaller than the bore through the frame such that it can rotate freely. 
         [0008]    The frontal area of a bicycle contributes to the amount of aerodynamic drag that a cyclist experiences. The bicycle front end is the initial part of the bicycle/rider unit that slices through the air. On one hand, if the bicycle front end slices through the air efficiently, then the amount of drag that the cyclist would have to overcome is reduced. On the other hand, if the bicycle front end slices through the air inefficiently, then the amount of drag that the cyclist would have to overcome is increased. 
         [0009]    In bicycle sport racing, it is advantageous to reduce the amount of drag because less drag equates to a faster race time. The front end assembly of prior art bicycles is prone to drag due to the discontinuous shape thereof and the fact that the frame&#39;s head tube must be necessarily have a larger frontal area than is required to fit the fork steerer shaft, which bears the steering loads, into the head tube. Preferably, the steerer shaft is very stiff in torsion and bending. This can be achieved by increasing the moment of inertia of said steerer shaft. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a more aerodynamically shaped bicycle front end assembly. 
       BRIEF SUMMARY 
       [0010]    The present invention addresses the deficiencies identified above, discussed below and those that are known in the art. 
         [0011]    The bicycle front end may comprise a fork. The fork may have fork legs which are attached to a front wheel. The fork legs may be joined to each other at a fork crown. An axis shaft and a fork head may be attached to the fork crown. The axis shaft defines a fork rotational axis. The fork head is disposed in front of a head tube of the bicycle frame when the fork is mounted to the bicycle frame. When the fork is rotated to maneuver the bicycle, the fork head is also rotated toward the travel direction of the bicycle. In this regard, the fork head assists in reducing drag despite the travel direction of the bicycle. 
         [0012]    The axis shaft may be used to mount the fork to the head tube of the bicycle frame, whereas, the fork head may be used to mount the handlebar for steering the bicycle. In particular, a lower bearing may be disposed between the fork crown and the lower end portion of the head tube when the axis shaft is inserted into the head tube. An upper bearing may be disposed between the upper end portion of the head tube and a headset cap. The headset cap may be threaded onto external threads formed on the upper distal end portion of the axis shaft. The headset cap may be tightened onto the axis shaft to compress the headset cap, head tube, upper and lower bearings, and fork together until a fork rotational axis is aligned to a central axis of the head tube, the fork does not wobble and is able to freely rotate with respect to the head tube of the bicycle frame. After the headset cap is tightened onto the axis shaft, the headset cap is fixed to the axis shaft via a headset locking screw, pin, attachment to a handlebar mount or other method. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0013]    These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which: 
           [0014]      FIG. 1  is a side view of a prior art threaded headset of a bicycle wherein a handlebar is directly mounted to a steerer shaft of a fork; 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is a side view of a prior art threadless headset of a bicycle wherein the handlebar is also directly mounted to the steerer shaft of the fork; 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an assembled side view of a bicycle wherein an axis shaft of the fork is mounted to a head tube of a bicycle frame and a handlebar is separably mounted to a fork head attached to the fork; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is an exploded side of the bicycle shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4A  is an enlarged view of an upper portion of the bicycle shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4B  is an enlarged view of a lower portion of the bicycle shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a top view of the fork head shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 5A  is an alternate embodiment of the fork head shown in  FIG. 5 ; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6  is an exploded view of a fork with fork head sized and configured to mount onto a bicycle frame designed for a threadless headset wherein an axis shaft of the fork with fork head mounts to a head tube of the bicycle frame and a handlebar mounts to the fork head; 
           [0023]      FIG. 6A  is a cross sectional assembled view of the upper end portion of the head tube shown in  FIG. 6A ; 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  is an exploded view of a fork with fork head sized and configured to mount onto a bicycle frame designed for a threaded headset wherein an axis shaft of the fork with fork head mounts to a head tube of the bicycle frame and a handlebar mounted to the fork head; 
           [0025]      FIG. 7A  is a cross sectional assembled view of the upper end portion of the head tube shown in  FIG. 7 ; 
           [0026]      FIG. 8  is an enlarged side view of the bicycle illustrating an alternate embodiment of the headset being locked onto the axis shaft; 
           [0027]      FIG. 8A  is a top view of the headset cap; 
           [0028]      FIG. 9  is side perspective view of a fork with a handlebar mount fabricated from a unitary material with a fork head and a handlebar stem removeably attachable to the handlebar mount; 
           [0029]      FIG. 10  illustrates an alternate embodiment for locking the headset cap onto the axis shaft; 
           [0030]      FIG. 10A  is a top view of the headset cap shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0031]      FIG. 10B  is a top view of the handlebar mount shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 10C  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the headset cap shown in  FIG. 10 ; 
           [0033]      FIG. 11  illustrates a further alternate embodiment of locking a headset cap onto the axis shaft; 
           [0034]      FIG. 11A  is a top view of the handlebar mount shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0035]      FIG. 11B  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the headset cap shown in  FIG. 11 ; 
           [0036]      FIG. 12  illustrates a further embodiment of locking a headset cap onto the axis shaft; 
           [0037]      FIG. 12A  is a top view of the handlebar mount shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0038]      FIG. 12B  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the headset cap shown in  FIG. 12 ; 
           [0039]      FIG. 13  is a further embodiment for locking a headset cap onto the axis shaft; 
           [0040]      FIG. 13A  is a top view of the headset cap shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0041]      FIG. 13B  is a top view of the handlebar mount shown in  FIG. 13 ; 
           [0042]      FIG. 13C  is a front view of an alternate embodiment of the headset cap shown in  FIG. 13 ; and 
           [0043]      FIG. 13D  is a top view of the headset cap shown in  FIG. 13C . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0044]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a side assembled view of a bicycle  10  is shown. The bicycle  10  is shown as having a fork  12 . The fork  12  has fork legs  14  which extend upward and are joined together at a fork crown  16 . A fork head  18  is extended upward in front of a head tube  20  of a bicycle frame  22  for providing an aerodynamically configured bicycle front end compared to prior art threaded headsets (see  FIG. 1 ) and prior art threadless headsets (see  FIG. 2 ). Additionally, the fork head  18  also is a structural support for a handlebar. In particular, the handlebar may be attached to the fork head via a handlebar mount  26 . Rotation of the handlebar about the steering axis rotates the fork head  18  and the fork  12  relative to the bicycle frame  22 . 
         [0045]    In use, the fork head  18  is correspondingly aligned about the head tube  20  of the frame  22  to the riding direction of the bicycle  10 . Such corresponding alignment of the fork head  18  with the steering direction of the bicycle  10  allows the fork head  18  to behave as a means for reducing the drag on the bicycle  10 . For example, the fork head  18  remains aligned to the travel path of the bicycle  10 . If the bicycle  10  is traveling to the left, then the fork head  18  is pointed to the left. 
         [0046]      FIG. 4  is a side exploded view of the front end of the bicycle  10 . The fork  12  may have the fork head  18 , axis shaft  28 , fork crown  16  and fork legs  14 . The fork legs  14  are joined together at the fork crown  16 . The axis shaft  28  may be attached to the fork crown  16 . The fork head  18  may also be attached to the fork crown  16  and be positioned in front of the axis shaft  28 . A fork crown race  30  is disposable at the base  32  of the axis shaft  28  (see  FIGS. 4 and 4B ) or may be formed as a unitary structure with the base  32  of the axis shaft  28 .  FIG. 4  illustrates a separate fork crown race  30  disposable at the base  32  of the axis shaft  28 . To install the fork  12  onto the head tube  20  of the bicycle frame  22 , a lower cup  34  for a lower bearing  36  is disposed at or formed as a unitary structure of the lower end portion of the head tube  20  (see  FIGS. 4 and 4B ).  FIG. 4  illustrates the lower cup  34  as a unitary structure with the lower end portion of the head tube  20 . The fork crown race  30  is disposed on the base  32  of the axis shaft  28 . The lower bearing  36  is then placed on the fork crown race  30  and about the axis shaft  28 . The axis shaft  28  is then inserted into the head tube  20 . The fork crown race  30  and the lower cup  34  receive the lower bearing  36 . 
         [0047]    Thereafter, an upper cup  38  for an upper bearing  40  is disposed at or formed as a unitary structure of the upper end portion of the head tube  20  (see  FIGS. 4 and 4A ).  FIG. 4  illustrates the upper cup  38  as a unitary structure with the upper end portion of the head tube  20 . A corresponding upper cone  42  is disposed at (see  FIGS. 4 and 4A ) or formed as a unitary structure of the bottom side of a headset cap  44 .  FIG. 4  illustrates the upper cone  42  as a separate part of the headset cap  44 . The upper bearing  40  is inserted into the upper cup  38  and lower internal threads  46  (see  FIGS. 4 and 4A ) of the headset cap  44  is threaded onto external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28  at its upper distal portion. After the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  are mounted to the head tube  20  of the bicycle frame  22 , the headset cap  44  is tightened onto the axis shaft  28  thereby pre-loading the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 . As will be discussed further below, when the appropriate amount of pressure is applied to the bicycle front end, a fork rotational axis  50  (see  FIG. 4 ) defined by the axis shaft  28  becomes aligned to a central axis  52  (see  FIG. 4 ) of the head tube  20  of the bicycle frame  22 , the fork  12  does not wobble and the fork  12  freely rotates about the head tube  20 . 
         [0048]    After the fork  12 , bearings  36 ,  40 , and headset cap  44  are assembled, as discussed above, the upper  40  and lower bearings  36  are preloaded by tightening the headset cap  44  to the axis shaft  28  until the fork  12  does not wobble, the fork rotational axis  50  (defined by the axis shaft  28 ) is aligned to the central axis  52  of the head tube  20  of the bicycle frame  22 , and the fork  12  and fork head  18  are able to freely rotate relative to the bicycle frame  22 . The head set locking screw  68  (discussed below), pin  110  (discussed below), handlebar mount  26  (discussed below) or other mechanism may be used to fix the position of the headset cap  44  to the axis shaft such that the headset cap  44  does not become loose while the rider is riding the bicycle  10 . The fork  12  is now properly mounted to the bicycle frame  22 . 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIGS. 4 and 4A , to mount the handlebar, external threads  54  of a steerer length compensator  56  may be threaded onto upper internal threads  47  of the headset cap  44  until the steerer length compensator  56  bottoms out on (i.e., touches) top of the headset cap  44 . The handlebar mount  26  may then be attached to the fork head  18  at a top end thereof via one or more screws  60  received into threaded holes  61  (see  FIG. 4 ) at the top end of the fork head  18 . The threaded holes  61  for the screws  60  are best shown in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . After the handlebar mount  26  is attached to the fork head  18 , a gap  63  (see  FIG. 3 ) may exist between the bottom surface  62  of the handlebar mount  26  and the top surface  64  of the headset cap  44 . The steerer length compensator  56  is raised from the headset cap  44  until a top surface  66  of the steerer length compensator  56  contacts the bottom surface  62  of the handlebar mount  26 . A headset locking screw  68  may be inserted through an aperture  70  (see  FIGS. 4 and 4A ) formed through the handlebar mount  26  and secured to internal threads  72  formed at the upper portion of the axis shaft  28 . The headset locking screw  68  compresses the axis shaft  28  to the headset cap  44  thereby locking the position of the headset cap  44  with respect to the axis shaft  28 . This fixes the preload force applied to the upper  40  and lower bearings  36  such that the front end assembly does not become loose while the rider is riding the bicycle  10 . 
         [0050]    The upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  may be standard bearings or integrated headset bearings sold by TH Industries, Part No. 1″ ACB 36×45 373. Each of the bearings  40 ,  36  may provide rotational movement between an inner race  74  and an outer race  76  (see  FIGS. 4A and 4B ). Each of the bearings  40 ,  36  may define a first end portion  78  and a second end portion  80 . The first end portion  78  may have an internal beveled surface  82  (see  FIG. 4A ) formed as part of the inner race  74 . The second end portion  80  of the bearing may have an external beveled surface  84  (see  FIG. 4A ) formed as part of the outer race  76 . Alternatively, the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  may be loose bearings, as discussed herein in relation to  FIGS. 7 and 7A . 
         [0051]    To install the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  to the upper end portion and lower end portion of the head tube  20 , respectively, the second end portions  80  of the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  are inserted into the head tube  20 . In particular, the lower end portion of the head tube  20  may be integrally formed as a lower cup  34 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4B . The lower cup  34  may have a mating beveled surface  86  (see  FIG. 4B ) which mates with the external beveled surface  84  of the second end portion of the lower bearing  36 . The lower bearing  36  is then inserted into the lower end portion of the head tube  20  (i.e., lower cup  34 ) with the second end portion  80  being inserted first. The external beveled surface  84  of the lower bearing  36  then contacts the mating beveled surface  86  (see  FIG. 4B ) formed in the lower cup  34  of the lower end portion of the head tube  20 . 
         [0052]    A fork crown race  30  may be disposed at the base  32  of the axis shaft  28  and may receive the lower bearing  36 . The fork crown race  30  may have a mating beveled surface  88  which mates with the internal beveled surface  82  of the first end portion  78  of the lower bearing  36 . The axis shaft  28  is then inserted through the head tube  20  until the lower bearing  36  is seated between the lower cup  34  formed in the lower end portion of the head tube  20  and the fork crown race  30 . Due to the mating beveled surfaces  86 ,  84  of the lower cup  34  and the lower bearing  36 , the lower bearing  36  is centrally aligned to the central axis  52  of the head tube  20 . Furthermore, due to the internal beveled surface  82  of the lower bearing  36  and the mating beveled surface  88  of the fork crown race  30 , the fork crown race  30  and the base  32  of the axis shaft  28  are centered to the central axis  52  of the head tube  20 . 
         [0053]    The upper bearing  40  is disposed within the upper end portion of the head tube  20  in a similar manner compared to the lower bearing  36 . In particular, the upper end portion of the head tube  20  may be integrally formed with an upper cup  38 , as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4A . An internal beveled surface  90  (see  FIG. 4A ) may be formed in the upper cup  38 . The upper bearing  40  may be inserted into the upper cup  38  with the second end portion  80  of the bearing being inserted first. The external beveled surface  84  of the second end portion  80  of the upper bearing  40  may mate with the beveled surface  90  of the upper cup  38 . Such mating contact centers the upper bearing  40  with respect to the central axis  52  of the head tube  20 . Thereafter, the headset cap  44  may be attached to the axis shaft  28 . In particular, the headset cap  44  may have an elongate post  92  (see  FIG. 4A ) having lower internal threads  46 . The upper distal end portion of the axis shaft  28  may have mating external threads  48 . The lower internal threads  46  of the elongate post  92  may be threaded onto the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28 . The headset cap  44  may additionally have a radially outward extending flange  94  (see  FIG. 4A ) having an outer diameter greater than an inner diameter of the upper bearing  40  but is preferably greater than an outer diameter of the upper bearing  40 . As the headset cap  44  is tightened onto the axis shaft  28 , the radially outward extending flange  94  presses down on the first end portion  78  of the upper bearing  40 . Also, the fork crown  16  is pulled upward to attach the fork  12  to the head tube  20  of the bicycle frame  22 . 
         [0054]    The lower surface of the headset cap may  44  be integrally formed as an upper cone  42 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4A , a separate upper cone  42  may be disposed at a base  96  (see  FIG. 4A ) of the elongate post  92  and adjacent to the lower surface of the headset cap  44 . The upper cone  42  may be sized and configured to receive the first end portion  78  of the upper bearing  40 . In particular, the upper cone  42  may have a mating beveled surface  98  sized and configured to mate with the internal beveled surface  82  of the upper bearing  40 . The beveled surfaces  98 ,  82 ,  84 ,  90  of the upper cone  42 , the upper bearing  40  and the upper cup  38  align the axis shaft  28  (i.e., fork rotational axis  50 ) to the central axis  52  of the head tube  20 . 
         [0055]    As the headset cap  44  is tightened onto the axis shaft  28 , the fork crown  16  and the outwardly extending flange  94  of the headset cap  44  compresses the upper bearing  40 , head tube  20  and lower bearing  36  together. The beveled surfaces  82 ,  84 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90  align the fork rotational axis  50  (i.e., the central axis  52  of the axis shaft  28 ) to the central axis  52  of the head tube  20 . To properly assemble the fork  12  to the head tube  20 , the headset cap  44  is tightened onto the axis shaft  28  until the fork  12  does not wobble and the fork  12  is able to freely rotate. By way of example and not limitation, the headset cap  44  may be tightened onto the axis shaft  28  until the fork  12  does not freely rotate. At this point, the fork  12  does not wobble and the axis shaft  28  is aligned to the central axis  52  of the head tube  20  but at the same time, the fork  12  is unable to freely rotate for normal use. Thereafter, the headset cap  44  may be slightly loosened until the fork  12  is able to freely rotate. At this point, the fork  12  does not wobble and yet the fork  12  is able to freely rotate about the fork rotational axis  50 . 
         [0056]    Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a cross sectional top view of the fork head  18  of  FIG. 4  is shown. The fork head  18  may define a front surface  100 . The front surface  100  may have a variety of different shapes for reducing the drag of the bicycle  10 . By way of example and not limitation, the front surface  100  of the fork head  18  may have a rounded configuration, as shown in  FIG. 5 . Alternatively, the front surface  100  may have a V shaped configuration, as shown in  FIG. 5A . Other configurations are also contemplated such as parabolic or half-body configuration so long as the fork head  18  is sufficiently stiff and strong to support the handlebar/handlebar mount  26  and to efficiently slice through air to reduce drag. The fork head  18  rotates about the head tube  20  according to the steering of the bicycle. 
         [0057]    In an alternative embodiment, the beveled surfaces  86 ,  90  formed in the upper  38  and lower cups  34  may be formed in separate upper and lower  38 ,  34  cups as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6A . For example, separate upper cup  38  sized and configured to be received into the upper end portion of the head tube  20  may be fabricated. The upper cup  38  may have an internal beveled surface  90  (see  FIG. 6A ) which mates with the external beveled surface  84  of the second end portion  80  of the upper bearing  40 . Similarly, a separate lower cup  34  sized and configured to be received into the lower end portion of the head tube  20  may be fabricated. The lower cup  34  may have an internal beveled surface  86  which mates with the external beveled surface  84  of the second end portion  80  of the lower bearing  36 . The fork  12  may be assembled onto the head tube  20  via the steps discussed above. In particular, a fork crown race  30  may be disposed at the base  32  of the axis shaft  28 . The axis shaft  28  may be inserted into the head tube  20  with the separate lower cup  34  disposed at the lower end portion of the head tube  20  and the lower bearing  36  disposed between the lower cup  34  and the fork crown race  30 . Thereafter, the separate upper cup  38  may be disposed at the upper end portion of the head tube  20  and the upper bearing  40  disposed in the separate upper cup  38 . The headset cap  44  may then be screwed onto the axis shaft  28  and tightened such that the fork  12  does not wobble but yet is able to freely rotate. 
         [0058]    In the various embodiments discussed herein, the fork crown race  30  may be formed as a unitary structure with the axis shaft  28  or the fork crown  16 . Alternatively, the fork crown race  30  may be formed as a separate structure, as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  4 B and  6 . The separate fork crown race  30  may have a split ring configuration. An inner diameter of the separate fork crown race  30  may be slightly smaller compared to an outer diameter of the base  32  of the axis shaft  28 . To install the separate fork crown race  30  at the base  32  of the axis shaft  28 , the fork crown race  30  is pressed over the base of the axis shaft  28 . The fork crown race  30  may have a beveled surface  88  (see  FIG. 4B ) which mates with the internal beveled surface of the first end portion  78  of the lower bearing  36 . 
         [0059]    Similarly, the upper cone  42  may be formed as a unitary structure with the headset cap  44 . Alternatively, the upper cone  42  may be formed as a separate structure, as shown in  FIGS. 4 and 4A . The separate upper cone  42  may have a split ring configuration. An inner diameter of the separate upper cone  42  may be slightly smaller compared to an outer diameter of the base  96  of the elongate post  92  of the headset cap  44 . To install the separate upper cone  42  to the base  96  of the elongate post  92  of the headset cap  44 , the separate upper cone  42  is pressed over the base  96  of the elongate post  92 . The separate upper cone  42  may have a beveled surface  98  (see  FIG. 4A ) which mates with the internal beveled surface  82  of the first end portion  78  of the upper bearing  40 . 
         [0060]    In an alternative embodiment of installing the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 , the first end portions  78  of the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  may be inserted into the head tube  20 . The upper end portion and lower end portion of the head tube  20  may have beveled surfaces which mate with the internal beveled surfaces  82  of the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 . Also, the fork crown race  30  may have a beveled surface which mates with the external beveled surface  84  of the second end portion  90  of the lower bearing  36 . Also, the head set cap  44  may have a beveled surface which mates with the external beveled surface  84  of the second end portion  90  of the upper bearing  40 . The respective beveled surfaces mate with each other to align the fork rotational axis  50  defined by the axis shaft  28  to the central axis  52  of the head tube  20  such that the fork  12  does not wobble and the fork  12  freely rotates about the head tube  20  when the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  are preloaded. 
         [0061]    In the various embodiments and aspects discussed herein, as an alternative embodiment to locking the headset cap  44  to the axis shaft  28  via a headset locking screw  68  inserted into the aperture  70  (see  FIGS. 4 and 4A ) of the handlebar mount  26 , the headset locking screw  68  may be directly locked onto the headset cap  44  and the axis shaft  28 , as shown in  FIGS. 6 and 6A . In particular, the elongate post  92  of the headset cap  44  may be formed with internal threads  46  formed at a lower distal portion of the elongate post  92 . The lower internal threads  46  formed at the lower distal portion of the elongate post  92  may be threadingly engaged to the external threads  48  formed on the upper distal portion of the axis shaft  28 . A hex recess  102  may be formed above the lower internal threads  46  of the headset cap  44 . A flange  104  in the headset cap  44  may be sized and configured to receive a head  106  of the headset locking screw  68 . After the headset cap  44  is threaded onto the axis shaft  28  and the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  properly pre-loaded, the headset locking screw  68  is inserted through the hex recess  102  and threaded into the internal threads  72  at the upper distal portion of the axis shaft  28 . The headset locking screw  68  is tightened onto the flange  104  to lock the position of the headset cap  44  to the axis shaft  28 . This also locks the pre load on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  such that the headset cap  44  does not loosen up while the rider is riding the bicycle  10 . Thereafter, as an optional component, the steerer length compensator  56  may be threaded onto the headset cap  44  until the steerer length compensator  56  is bottomed out on the headset cap  44 . The handlebar mount  26  may be attached to the fork head  18 , as discussed above. After the handlebar mount  26  is attached to the fork head  18 , the steerer length compensator  56  may be adjusted upward to eliminate any gap between the handlebar mount  26  and the headset cap  44 . Alternatively, a skirt may be mounted to the handlebar mount and/or the headset cap for covering the gap  63  between the bottom surface of the handlebar mount and the top surface of the headset cap. 
         [0062]    Alternatively, it is contemplated that the handlebar mount  26  may be shortened such that the handlebar mount  26  does not extend over the head tube  20  as shown by the dashed lines  108  in  FIG. 6 . In this alternative embodiment, the steerer length compensator may be eliminated and a cap may be disposed over the headset cap  44  for aesthetic purposes. Moreover, as shown in  FIG. 9 , the handlebar mount  26  may be fabricated as a unitary member with the fork head  18 . The fork  12  may be mounted to the head tube  20  solely via attachment with the axis shaft  28 . To mount the fork  12  to the head tube  20  of the bicycle  10 , the axis shaft  28  is inserted through the head tube  20 . The lower bearing  36  is disposed between the lower end portion of the head tube  20  and a fork crown race  30 . The upper bearing  40  is disposed between the upper end portion of the head tube  20  and the head set cap  44 . The head set cap  44  is tightened onto the axis shaft  28 . As the head set cap  44  is tightened onto the axis shaft  28 , the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  are preloaded and the fork rotational axis  50  defined by the axis shaft  28  is aligned to the central axis  52  of the head tube  20  such that the fork  12  does not wobble and the fork  12  freely rotates about the head tube  20 . To lock the preload of the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 , the threaded pin  110  may be threaded into the upper internal threads  47  of the head set cap  44 . The threaded pin  110  is further threaded into the upper internal threads  47  and possibly into the lower internal threads  46  until the bottom surface  120  of the threaded pin  110  contacts a top distal end  116  of the axis shaft. The threaded pin  110  is cinched onto the axis shaft  28  to hold the preload force on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 . A handlebar stem  124  may be attached to the handlebar mount  26  by aligning apertures  124 ,  126  of the handlebar mount  26  and the handlebar stem  124 , inserting a bolt through the aligned apertures  128 ,  126 , threading a nut onto the bolt, tightening the nut and bolt to lock the angular position of the handlebar stem  124 . 
         [0063]    In an aspect of the bicycle front end assembly, the fork  12  with fork head  18  may be installed on a conventional bicycle, non-conventional bicycle, a bicycle having a threadless headset (see  FIG. 6 ) or a bicycle having threaded headset (see  FIG. 7 ). The fork  12  with fork head  18  may be installed on any bicycle frame with a head tube  20 . In particular, a separate lower cup  34  and a separate upper cup  38  may be respectively formed to be receivable into the lower and upper end portions of the head tube  20 . The separate lower  34  and upper cups  38  may be sized and configured to respectively receive the upper  40  and lower bearings  36 . 
         [0064]    Alternatively, the existing upper  40  and lower bearings  36  of the bicycle head tube  20  may be used. By way of example and not limitation, the existing upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  may be loose bearings, as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 7A . In this case, the lower cup  34  disposed at the lower end portion of the head tube  20  receives the lower bearing  36 . A fork crown race  30  sized and configured to receive the lower bearings  36  may be formed as a unitary structure with the base  32  of the axis shaft  28  or formed as a separate structure and disposed at the base  32  of the axis shaft  28  (see  FIG. 7 ). The fork crown race  30  and the lower cup  34  receive the lower bearing  36 . The upper cup  38  disposed at the upper end portion of the head tube  20  receives the upper bearing  40 . An upper cone  42  sized and configured to receive the bearing may be formed as a unitary structure with the base  96  of the elongate post  92  of the headset cap  44  (as shown in  FIGS. 7 and 7A ) or formed as a separate structure and disposed at the base  96  of the elongate post  92  of the headset cap  44 . To mount the fork  12  to the head tube  20 , the axis shaft  28  is inserted into the head tube  20  with the lower bearing  36  disposed between the fork crown race  30  and the lower cup  34 . The headset cap  44  is screwed onto the distal end portion of the axis shaft  28  with the upper bearing  40  disposed between the separate upper cup  38  and the integrally formed upper cone  42 . The headset cap is tightened onto the axis shaft until the upper and lower bearings are properly preloaded such that the fork does not wobble, the fork rotational axis and central axis of the head tube are aligned and the fork is able to freely rotate about the head tube. 
         [0065]    In an aspect of the bicycle front end assembly, it is contemplated that the fork crown race  30  and the upper cone  42  are optional parts. The base  32  of the axis shaft  28  may be sized and configured to receive a sealed cartridge bearing. In particular, the internal surface of the sealed cartridge bearing may be fitted to the external surface of the axis shaft base  28 . Similarly, the base  96  of the elongate portion  92  of the headset cap  44  may be sized and configured to receive a sealed cartridge bearing. The internal surface of the sealed cartridge bearing may be fitted to the external surface of the base  96  of the elongate portion  92  of the headset cap  44 . The fit between the bearings and bases of the elongate post  92  and axis shaft  28  may be sufficient to center the upper  40  and lower bearings  36 . 
         [0066]    In the various embodiments discussed herein, the headset cap  44  may be tightened onto the axis shaft  28  or loosened off of the axis shaft  28  via a tool interface (e.g., hex recess  102  as discussed above in relation to  FIG. 6A ). Additionally, the steerer length compensator  56  may be screwed into or loosened off of the headset cap  44  with the aid of ridges and/or indentations formed about an outer periphery of an upper flange of the steerer length compensator  56 . Moreover, the bicycle frame  22  and the various components discussed herein may be fabricated from fiber composite material, carbon fiber, aluminum, steel or other material used for bicycles. 
         [0067]    In an aspect of the embodiments discussed herein, the axis shaft  28  above the base  32  may have an outer diameter as required to provide sufficient support to withstand stresses due to riding over bumps, turning, etc. or other maneuvering of the bicycle. By way of example and not limitation, the outer diameter of the axis shaft above the base may be greater than one inch or less than one inch. Preferably, the outer diameter of the axis shaft above the base is less than one inch, as is currently shown in the figures. In this manner, the front profile of the head tube may be minimized so as to reduce the drag coefficient of the bicycle. Nonetheless, if the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  6  and  7  incorporate an axis shaft having an outer diameter above the base greater than or equal to one inch, then the bicycle components discussed herein may resized and configured to fit such axis shaft. 
         [0068]    In another aspect of the embodiments discussed herein, when the upper and lower ends of the head tube is described as being sized and configured to respectively receive the upper and lower bearings, it is contemplated that the upper and lower cups are either separately or unitarily formed with the head tube, as discussed herein, and/or it is also contemplated that upper and lower cones may be separately or unitarily formed with the head tube. 
         [0069]    In another aspect of the embodiments discussed herein, the handlebar mount is shown with a stem that is rotateable as shown by arrow  122  (see  FIG. 3 ). However, the handlebar mount may be fixed stem which is not rotateable. As such, the handlebar mount should not be limited to only rotateable stems. 
         [0070]    Referring now to  FIGS. 8 and 8A , in an aspect of the bicycle  10 , the headset cap  44  may be fixed to the axis shaft  28  via a threaded pin  110  that may be threaded downward or upward through the headset cap  44  as shown by up and down arrows  112 ,  114 . 
         [0071]    The outer surface of the pin  110  may be threaded. Also, the upper and lower threads  47 ,  46  may be threaded. The upper and lower threads  46 ,  47  may be integrally formed with each other such that the pin  110  can be traversed upward into engagement with the upper threads  47  by rotating the pin  110  or the pin  110  can be traversed downward into engagement with the lower threads  46  by rotating the pin  110 . 
         [0072]    To mount the fork  12  to the head tube  20  of the bicycle frame  22 , the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  may be preloaded as discussed above by tightening down the headset cap  44  onto the axis shaft  28 . Once the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  are properly pre loaded, the headset cap  44  should be fixed to the axis shaft  28  such that the headset cap  44  does not become loose while the rider is riding the bicycle  10 . 
         [0073]    As discussed above, the headset locking screw  68  fixes the headset cap  44  to the axis shaft  28 . As an alternate means of fixing the headset cap  44  to the axis shaft  28 , the pin  110  may have external threads. The external threads of the pin  110  are threadably engageable to the upper and lower internal threads  47 ,  46  of the headset cap  44 . The pin  110  is initially disposed adjacent the upper internal threads  47 . The reason is that the lower internal threads  46  of the headset cap  44  are threaded onto the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28 . The pin  110  should not contact the top distal end  116  of the axis shaft  28  when the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  are being pre loaded. After the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  are pre loaded, the pin  110  is rotated clockwise to traverse the pin  110  into engagement with the top distal end  116  of the axis shaft  28 . The pin  110  may be formed with a hex recess  118  (see  FIG. 8A ). An allen wrench may be inserted into the hex recess  118  and rotated clockwise. It is contemplated that the pin  110  may be rotated via other methods. The recess  118  may have a star configuration, and a corresponding wrench with a star configured distal tip may be used to rotate the pin  110 . When the wrench is rotated in the clockwise direction, the pin  110  is also rotated in the clockwise direction and traversed toward the distal top end  116  of the axis shaft  28 . When a bottom surface  120  of the pin  110  contacts the top distal end  116  of the axis shaft  28 , the user may synch the pin  110  onto the axis shaft  28  thereby fixing the position of the headset cap  44  to the axis shaft  28 . In this manner, the headset cap  44  will not become loose while the rider is riding the bicycle  10 . 
         [0074]    The allen wrench is provided by way of example and not limitation. Other means could be employed. Generally, a tool interface may be formed on the pin. A tool may then be used to turn the pin to traverse the pin up or down in the headset cap. 
         [0075]    Referring now to  FIG. 10 , an alternate embodiment is shown. In particular, a headset cap  44   a  may be threaded to external threads  48  of an axis shaft  28  to provide preload to upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  (not shown in  FIG. 10 ; see  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 ) to allow the fork  12  to freely rotate about head tube  20  (not shown in  FIG. 10 ; see  FIGS. 4 ,  6 ,  7  and  8 ) but yet not wobble during use. The upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  may be mounted between the headset cap  44   a  and a fork crown race  30  either with integrally formed or separately formed cups, cones and fork crown race as discussed herein. The headset cap  44   a  may have an internal thread(s)  132  which extends from the bottom end of the headset cap  44   a  to the top. A threaded pin  110   a  may threadably engage the internal threads  132  of the headset cap  44   a . Initially, the threaded pin  110   a  may be threaded all the way into the internal threads  132  such that the threaded pin  110   a  is near the top of the headset cap  44   a . To preload the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 , the lower bearing  36  is disposed between the fork crown race  30  and the head tube  20 . The axis shaft  28  is inserted through the head tube  20  and may protrude up out of the top of the head tube  20 . The upper bearing  40  may be disposed on top of the head tube  20 . The internal threads  132  of the headset cap  44   a  are threaded onto the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28 . The headset cap  44   a  is threaded onto the axis shaft  28  until the appropriate amount of preload on the bearings  40 ,  36  is reached. 
         [0076]    At this point, a lower surface  134  of the threaded pin  110   a  does not contact a top distal end  116  of the axis shaft  28 . Also at this point, there may be some slack or play between the internal threads  132  of the headset cap  44   a  and the external threads  48  of the axis shaft. To remove the slack or play from the threaded engagement there between, the threaded pin  110   a  may be cinched onto the axis shaft  28 . More particularly, the lower surface  134  of the threaded pin  110   a  may be pushed against the top distal end  116  of the axis shaft  28  by turning the threaded pin  110   a . This removes the slack or play between the threaded engagement of the internal threads  132  of the headset cap  44   a  and the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28 . Additionally, during use, the threaded pin  110   a  prevents loosening of the headset cap  44   a  due to vibration, etc. 
         [0077]    To rotate the headset cap  44   a  for applying the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  and to rotate the threaded pin  110   a , the headset cap  44   a  and the threaded pin  110   a  may have hex recesses  136 ,  138 . The hex recess  138  for the threaded pin  110   a  may be smaller than the hex recess  136  for the headset cap  44   a . By way of example and not limitation, the hex recess  138  may fit a six (6) millimeter allen wrench, whereas, the hex recess  136  for the headset cap  44   a  may fit an eight (8) millimeter allen wrench. As discussed above, initially, the threaded pin  110   a  is threaded all the way up into the headset cap  44   a . To adjust the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 , an eight (8) millimeter allen wrench  140  may be inserted into the hex recess  136  (see  FIG. 10A ) of the headset cap  44   a . The allen wrench  140  may be used to tighten the headset cap  44   a  onto the axis shaft  28 . Alternatively, the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  may be adjusted by turning the headset cap  44   a  by hand  141 . The user would grasp a cylindrical portion  142  (discussed below) or the flange  65  of the headset cap  44   a  with his or her hand to turn the headset cap  44   a  and adjust the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 . When the appropriate amount of preload is achieved, the eight (8) millimeter allen wrench  140  is removed and a six (6) millimeter allen wrench  140   a  may be inserted through the hex recess  136  and engaged to the six (6) millimeter hex recess  138  of the threaded pin  110 . The six (6) millimeter allen wrench may turn the threaded pin  110   a  into engagement with the axis shaft  28 . More particularly, the allen wrench  140   a  turns the threaded pin  110   a  until the lower surface  134  of the threaded pin  110   a  is cinched onto the top distal end  116  of the axis shaft  28 . As discussed herein, the threaded pin  110   a  removes slack between the internal threads  132  of the headset cap  44   a  and the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28  and also prevents unwanted loosening of the headset cap  44   a  such as due to vibration during use. A top view of the headset cap  44   a  is shown which shows the hex recess  136 . The hex recess  138  of the threaded pin  110   a  is shown as a through hole. However, it is also contemplated that the hex recess  138  may be a depression with a hex configuration. The depth of the depression may be sufficient to engage the six (6) millimeter allen wrench  140   a  and provide enough torquing to allow the threaded pin  110   a  to be cinched onto the axis shaft  28 . 
         [0078]    The handlebar mount  26  may then be mounted to the fork  12 . In particular, the handlebar mount  26  may be attached to a fork head  18  via bolt  60 . When the handlebar mount  26  is attached to the fork head  18 , the cylindrical portion  142  of the headset cap  44   a  may be received into a cylindrical recess  144  of the handlebar mount  26 . The handlebar mount  26  does not push down on the headset cap  44   a . Rather, the cylindrical portion  142  may generally slide freely in and out of the cylindrical recess  144  of the handlebar mount  26 . The handlebar mount  26  may additionally have a recess  146  to receive the flange  65  of the headset cap  44   a . Once the handlebar mount  26  is mounted to the fork head  18  via the bolt  60 , bolt  148  may be threaded onto the handlebar mount  26 . As shown in  FIGS. 10 and 10B , the cylindrical recess  144  incorporates a slot  150 . A first half  152  of the handlebar mount  26  may have a threaded through hole  154 . A second half  156  may have a through hole with a counter sunk recess for receiving a head of the bolt  148 . The countersunk recess provides for a more aerodynamic shape for the purposes of reducing aerodynamic drag. With the cylindrical portion  142  disposed within the cylindrical recess  144 , the bolt  148  may be threaded onto the threaded through hole  154 . As the bolt  148  is tightened, the first and second halves  152 ,  156  begin to deflect inwardly and press upon the cylindrical portion  142 . This provides frictional engagement between the cylindrical portion  142  of the headset cap  44   a  and the inner surface of the cylindrical recess  144 . This also provides resistance to unwanted rotation of the headset cap  44   a  due to vibration or other causes during use of the bicycle. 
         [0079]    Referring to  FIG. 10B , the handlebar mount  26  may have a circular aperture  158  which may be large enough to receive the allen wrench  140  which in this example is an eight (8) millimeter allen wrench. In this manner, adjustments to the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  may be made without removal of the handlebar mount  26  from the fork head  18 . The bolt  148  is loosened. The allen wrench  140   a  configured to fit the hex recess  138  of the threaded pin  110   a  is used to loosen the threaded pin  110   a  off of the axis shaft  28 . Thereafter, the allen wrench  140  may be received into the hex recess  136  to adjust the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 . After the preload is reset, the entire assembly may be retightened as discussed above. 
         [0080]    Alternatively, the circular aperture  158  may be large enough to receive the allen wrench  140   a  but not allen wrench  140 . The allen wrench  140   a  is used to loosen the threaded pin  110   a  off of the axis shaft  28 . Depending on whether the handlebar mount  26  is removed, a person (e.g., mechanic, rider, etc.) may adjust the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  by grasping the cylindrical portion  142  on flange  65  with his or her hand or inserting allen wrench  140  into hex recess  136  and turning the headset cap  44   a  as needed. 
         [0081]    Referring now to  FIG. 11 , an alternate embodiment is shown. In this embodiment, the exterior surface  160  of the handlebar mount  26  does not have an aperture  158  (compare  FIGS. 10B and 11A ) to permit adjustment to the preload while the handlebar mount  26  is attached to the fork head  18  via the bolt  60 . Rather, only the slot  150  is formed in the handlebar mount  26 , as shown in  FIG. 11A . The embodiment shown in  FIG. 11  operates identical to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10 . However, as can be seen in  FIG. 11 , the allen wrench  140 ,  140   a  is used prior to attachment of the handlebar mount  26  to the fork head  18 . If the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  is adjusted by hand, then such adjustment is done prior to attachment of the handlebar mount  26  to the fork head  18 . The aperture  158  is removed from the handlebar mount  26  to further reduce aerodynamic drag caused by various protuberances in the handlebar mount  26  area. In this embodiment, the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  are adjusted prior to the handlebar mount  26  being mounted to the fork head  18  with the bolt  60 . As such, the allen wrench  140 ,  140   a  or hand  141  are shown disposed below the handlebar mount  26  in  FIG. 11 . 
         [0082]    Referring now to  FIG. 12 , an alternate embodiment is shown. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  operates substantially similar to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10  except that the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  does not incorporate or utilize the threaded pin  110   a . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12 , the headset cap  44   a  is used to apply a preload to the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 . The headset cap  44   a  is adjusted by allen wrench  140  by engaging the allen wrench  140  to the hex recess  136  of the headset cap  44   a . Alternatively, the headset cap  44   a  may be adjusted by hand. In this embodiment, a threaded pin  110   a  does not bear down on the top distal end  116  of the axis shaft  28  to prevent loosening of the preload or to take up any slack between the threads  132  of the headset cap  44   a  and the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28 . After the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  is applied by the headset cap  44   a , the handlebar mount  26  is mounted to the fork head  18  with the bolt  60 . The cylindrical portion  142  is received into the cylindrical recess  144 . The bolt  148  is threaded onto the threaded through hole  154  of the first half  152  of the handlebar mount  26 . This is shown in  FIG. 12A . The frictional engagement between the inner surface of the cylindrical recess  144  and the cylindrical portion  142  prevents unwanted rotation of the headset cap  44   a  either due to vibration or other causes during use of the bicycle. In this embodiment, the allen wrench  140  may fit within the aperture  158  such that the preload may be adjusted after mounting the handlebar mount  26  to the fork head  18 . More particularly, to adjust the preload after mounting the handlebar mount  26  to the fork head  18 , the bolt  148  is loosened. The allen wrench  140  is inserted through the aperture  158  and engaged to the hex recess  136  of the headset cap  44   a . The allen wrench  140  rotates the headset cap  44   a  to adjust the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 . After the preload is adjusted, the bolt  148  is then retightened to lock the position of the headset cap  44   a  and fix the preload. 
         [0083]    Referring now to  FIG. 13 , an alternate embodiment is shown. The embodiment shown in  FIG. 13  may operate identical to the embodiment shown in  FIG. 12  except that the headset cap  44   b  may be slotted as shown in  FIG. 13A . The headset cap  44   b  may have a hex recess  136  and a slot  162  that extends from one side of the headset cap  44   b  and extends through the hex recess  136  and/or center of the headset cap  44   b  until the slot  162  reaches an inner surface or internal threads  132  of the headset cap  44   b . The headset cap  44   b  may be flexed or compressed onto the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28  to take up any play or slack between the threads  132  of the headset cap  44   b  and the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28  which was discussed above. 
         [0084]    During assembly, the headset cap  44   b  is threaded onto the axis shaft  28  by threadably engaging the internal threads  132  of the headset cap  44   b  and the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28 . The allen wrench  140  is received into the hex recess  136  of the headset cap  44   a . Rotation of the allen wrench  140  adjusts the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36 . Alternatively, the preload on the upper and lower bearings  40 ,  36  may be made by hand  141 . The headset cap  44   b  places preload on the upper and lower bearings until the fork is allowed to rotate but without any wobble. Thereafter, the handlebar mount  26  may be mounted to the fork head  18  via the bolt  60 . The cylindrical portion  142  is received into the cylindrical recess  144 . Thereafter, the bolt  148 , as shown in  FIG. 13B , is engaged with the threaded through hole  154  such that the internal surface of the cylindrical recess  144  is placed into frictional engagement with the external surface of the cylindrical portion  142 . As the bolt  148  is further tightened, the first and second halves  152 ,  156  of the handlebar mount  26  is flexed inwardly and compressed upon the cylindrical portion  142 . Since the headset cap  44   b  is slotted with slot  162 , the headset cap  44   b  also flexes inwardly and compresses on the external threads  48 . This takes up any play or slack between the threaded engagement of the internal threads  132  of the headset cap  44   b  and the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28 . As such, the tightening of the bolt  148  serves both to prevent unwanted rotation of the headset cap  44   b  such as due to vibration and also takes up any play or slack between the internal threads  132  of the headset cap  44   b  and the external threads  48  of the axis shaft  28 . It is also contemplated that the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 13-13B  may eliminate the aperture  158  (see  FIG. 13B ) such that the preload adjustment must be accomplished or performed prior to the handlebar mount  26  being mounted to the fork head  18  via the bolt  60 . 
         [0085]    It is also contemplated that the hex recess  136 ,  138  discussed above may have a different configuration (e.g., star, etc.) to rotate either the headset cap  44   a, b  or the threaded pin  110   a . Additionally, it is contemplated that the aperture  158  in relation to  FIGS. 10-13B  is optional. When the aperture  158  is not incorporated into the handlebar mount  26 , the adjustments to the headset cap  44   a, b  and the threaded pin  110   a  must be done prior to attachment of the handlebar mount  26  to the fork head  18 . 
         [0086]    It is also contemplated that the threads  132  of the headset cap  44   a ′, b′ may extend through the entire headset cap  44   a ′, b′, as shown in  FIGS. 10C ,  11 B,  12 B,  13 C and  13 D. In this case, the hex recess  136  is not incorporated into the headset caps  44   a ′, b′. 
         [0087]    The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combination described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments.