Abstract:
The present invention generally pertains to a handlebar assembly for a bicycle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a handlebar assembly comprising a hollow body in which are routed control cables needed for breaking and gear shifting.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This patent application is a National Phase Application of PCT International Application No. PCT/CA2009/000783, entitled “HANDLEBAR FOR A BICYCLE”, International Filing Date Jun. 4, 2009, published on Dec. 10, 2009 as International Publication No. WO 2009/146551, which in turn claims priority from U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/059,404, filed Jun. 6, 2008, both of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     This application is related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/059,421 entitled SADDLE ANTI-THEFT DEVICE, filed on Jun. 6, 2008, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     This application is also related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/059,387 entitled BICYCLE FRAME AND CASING FOR INTERNALLY ROUTED CABLES, filed on Jun. 6, 2008, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
     This application is further related to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/059,413 entitled FORK ASSEMBLY FOR A BICYCLE, filed on Jun. 6, 2008, the specification of which is hereby incorporated by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention generally relates to a handlebar assembly for a bicycle. More specifically, the present invention relates to a handlebar assembly comprising a hollow body in which are routed control cables needed for breaking and gear shifting. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Bicycles have been utilized as means of transportation for over a hundred years. Modern bicycles generally include control cables which are used to control front and rear wheel braking systems, and front and rear shifting mechanisms. Typically, the cables are routed from brake and shift levers to the braking systems and derailleur. The bicycle may also have wires for an odometer and front and rear lights. Those cables and wires are generally mounted along the outside of the bicycle frame with various attachments such as clips. 
     Cables and wires can interfere with either the rider or other components of the bicycles (e.g. tool compartment attached to the frame). Externally located cables and wires are susceptible to damage from the surrounding environment (e.g. tree, branches) and also to vandalism. The cables may also detract from the aesthetic appearance of the frame by covering art or graphic logos. 
     For different reasons, many cities have inaugurated in the recent years bicycle sharing programs whereby citizens can easily have access to bicycles for inner-city transportation. Although very popular, those programs have to struggle against theft and vandalism. There is therefore an urgent need for new bicycles with a singular design of frames for preventing vandalism or disassembly or the stealing of parts. 
     Prior attempts have been made to conceal bicycle cables and wires by extending the cables through the inside of the bicycle frame components. Examples can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,114,738 and U.S. patent applications No. US 2004/0188976 and US 2006/0145446. However, those frames do not address all of the above-identified problems, either because they maintain some exposed segments of cables, because they are too complex, because the configuration of the frame is such that cables wear prematurely due to continuous scrubbing against the frame, or because they are not adaptable to bicycles designed to be used in bicycle sharing programs. The same is true with handlebars of the prior art. 
     Therefore, it would be desirable to be provided with a handlebar for a bicycle that would contribute to alleviate at least one of the above-mentioned drawbacks. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     According to one embodiment, there is provided a handlebar for a bicycle provided with a fork assembly. 
     According to one embodiment, there is provided a handlebar for a bicycle provided with a fork assembly, the handlebar comprising a hollow body comprising a left end, a right end and at least one control opening located proximal to at least one of the left end and the right end of the hollow body; a fork mounting portion extending between the left end and the right end of the hollow body and being adapted for mounting the handlebar to the fork assembly; a left handle shaft extending from the left end of the hollow body; a right handle shaft extending from the right end of the hollow body; at least one control mounted to at least one of the left handle assembly and the right handle assembly proximal to the at least one control opening such that the at least one control opening and the fork opening enable routing of at least one control cable running from the at least one control toward the fork assembly inside the hollow body, the at least one control cable remaining unexposed during operation of the at least one control. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the handlebar is V-shaped. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the at least one control is selected from a group consisting of a break lever assembly and a gear shifter. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the hollow body comprises a left control opening located proximal to the left end of the hollow body and a right control opening located proximal to the right end of the hollow body and the at least one control comprises a left brake lever assembly mounted to the left handle shaft proximal to the left control opening, a right brake lever assembly mounted to the right handle shaft proximal to the right control opening and a gear shifter mounted to the right handle shaft proximal to the right control opening. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the hollow body comprises a central stem portion defining the fork mounting portion and having a left end, a right end, a plan bottom face and a plan top face extending between the left end and the right end. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the plan bottom face and the plan top face are connected to one another using a pair of spaced-apart back and front curved faces. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the hollow body further comprises a left handle mounting portion having a lower end and an upper end, the left handle mounting portion extending from the left end of the central stem portion, the hollow body further comprising a right handle mounting portion having a lower end and an upper end, the right handle mounting portion extending from the right end of the central stem portion. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the left handle mounting portion, the central stem portion and the right handle mounting portion define an integral structure. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the left handle mounting portion and the right handle mounting portion are S-shaped. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the upper end of the left handle mounting portion comprises a left opening for receiving a portion of the left brake lever assembly; the right handle mounting portion comprises a right opening for receiving a portion of the right brake lever assembly and a portion of the gear shifter. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the left opening comprises a left mounting member and the right opening comprises a right mounting member. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the left handle shaft is fixedly mounted to the left mounting member of the left opening and the right handle shaft is fixedly mounted to the right mounting member of the right opening. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the handlebar further comprises at least one handle grip mounted over at least one of the left handle shaft and the right handle shaft. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the at least one handle grip is manufactured using a material selected from a group consisting of rubber, plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and elastomer. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the left brake lever assembly comprises a left bracket mountable to the left handle shaft, a left lever mounted to the left bracket for pivotal movement relative thereto and a left brake cable connector connected to the left lever. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the right brake lever assembly comprises a right bracket mountable to the right handle shaft, a right lever mounted to the right bracket for pivotal movement relative thereto and a right brake cable connector connected to the right lever. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the gear shifter comprises a twist-grip shifter having an annular base member for mounting the gear shifter to the right handle shaft and a twist grip operating member rotatably mounted on the annular base member for enabling a user to modify a bicycle gear ratio, said gear shifter further comprising a cable connector. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the hollow body is manufactured using a material selected from a group consisting of aluminum, carbon fibers, steel, titanium and magnesium. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the hollow body comprises a left hollow body portion and a right hollow body portion, the left handle shaft and the right handle shaft being connected to the fork mounting portion and extending through the left hollow portion and the right hollow portion. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the left handle shaft, the right handle shaft and the fork mounting portion define an integral structure. 
     In accordance with another embodiment, the left handle shaft and the right handle shaft are S-shaped. 
     In accordance with yet another embodiment, the left hollow body portion and the right hollow body portion each comprises a back shell and a front shell. 
     In accordance with a further embodiment, the back shells and the front shells of the left hollow body portion and the right hollow body portion are secured to the left handle shaft and the right handle shaft using securing means. 
     In accordance with an embodiment, the securing means comprises threaded fasteners. 
     These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the details of the invention more fully set forth below. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Having thus generally described the nature of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, showing by way of illustration an illustrative embodiment thereof, and in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a front perspective view of a bicycle in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is an enlarged front left perspective view of the fork assembly of the bicycle shown in  FIG. 1 , with the handlebar and stem cover removed; 
         FIG. 3  is a front right perspective view of a handlebar in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a back elevation view of a hollow body in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a front left perspective view of the hollow body shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a front right perspective view of the hollow body shown in  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a back exploded view of the handlebar shown in  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a back elevation view of the handlebar shown in  FIG. 3 , with the grips removed; 
         FIG. 9  is a partial top plan view of the bicycle shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 10  is a cross-section view of the bicycle shown in  FIG. 9 , taken along line  10 - 10 ; 
         FIG. 11  is a partial right side elevation view of the bicycle shown in  FIG. 1 ; and 
         FIG. 12  is a cross-section view of the bicycle shown in  FIG. 11 , taken along line  12 - 12 . 
         FIG. 13  is a front left perspective view, partly exploded, of another embodiment of a handlebar. 
         FIG. 14  is a front left perspective view, partly exploded, of the other embodiment of a handlebar shown in  FIG. 13 , in which one part of the hollow body has been removed. 
         FIG. 15  is a front left perspective, exploded, view of the handlebar shown in  FIG. 13 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The description which follows, and the embodiments described therein are provided by way of illustration of an example, or examples of particular embodiments of principles and aspects of the present invention. These examples are provided for the purpose of explanation and not of limitation, of those principles of the invention. In the description that follows, like parts are marked throughout the specification and the drawings with the same respective reference numerals. 
     With reference to  FIG. 1 , a bicycle will be described in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, using the reference numeral  100 . The bicycle  100  comprises a frame  102 , a seat assembly  104  mounted to the frame  102  for a user to sit on the bicycle  100  and a rear wheel  106  rotatably mounted to the frame  102 . The bicycle further comprises a fork assembly  108  operatively mounted to the frame  102  and a front wheel  110  rotatably mounted to the fork assembly  108 . Mounted on the fork assembly  108  is a handlebar  112  for allowing the user to control the direction of the bicycle  100 , as it will become apparent below. 
     Turning to  FIG. 2 , the fork assembly  108  comprises a pair of spaced-apart blades  200 ,  202  assembled to one another in a side-by-side relation by a crown plate  204  and a spaced-apart stem plate  206 . The fork assembly further comprises a steer assembly (not shown) operably mounted to the crown plate  204  and the stem plate  206  for rotatably mounting the fork assembly  108  to the frame  102  of the bicycle  100 . The fork assembly  108  further comprises a stem cover  208  for mounting the handlebar  112  to the stem plate  206 , as it will become apparent below. Such a fork assembly  108  is described in co-pending US patent application entitled F ORK ASSEMBLY FOR A BICYCLE , filed on Jun. 6, 2008, the specification of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     According to one embodiment of the present invention, the handlebar  112  is an upright-type handlebar and comprises a generally V-shaped hollow body  300  having a left end  302  and a right end  304 , and a pair of handle assemblies  306 ,  308  mounted at the left and right ends  302 ,  304  of the hollow body  300  (shown in  FIG. 3 ). The handlebar  112  is further provided with left and right brake lever assemblies  310 ,  312  which are an example of a control. The left brake level assembly  310  is mounted at the junction of the left handle assembly  306  and the left end  302  of the hollow body  300 . Similarly, the right brake lever assembly  312  is mounted at the junction of the right handle assembly  308  and the right end  304  of the hollow body  300 , respectively. A gear shifter  314  is also provided on the right handle assembly  308 , as it will become apparent below. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the V-shaped hollow body  300  is provided with a lower, central stem portion  400  from which upwardly and outwardly extends a pair of left and right handle mounting portions  402  and  404 . More specifically, the central stem portion  400  comprises a left end  406 , a right end  408 , a plan bottom face  410  and a plan top face  412  extending between the left and right ends  406 ,  408 . The plan bottom and top faces  410 ,  412  are connected to one another by a pair of spaced-apart back and front curved faces  414 ,  500 . Together, the bottom, top, back and front faces  410 ,  412 ,  414  and  500  define a tube having an oblong cross-section (best shown in  FIG. 10 ) adapted for being mounted to the stem plate  206  of the fork assembly  108 , as best described below. On the bottom face  410  thereof, the central stem portion  400  is provided with an opening  502 , for allowing the passage of control cables running inside the central stem portion  400  toward the fork assembly  108 , as best described below. 
     The lower, central stem portion  400  and the left and right handle mounting portions  402  and  404  preferably define an integral structure. In this embodiment, the V-shaped hollow body  300  may be manufactured from a unique tube of material shaped to attain the previously described configuration. In one embodiment, the V-shape hollow body  300  is manufactured from an aluminium tube by superplastic forming (SPF). The material may also comprise carbon fibres, steel, titanium, magnesium, or any other material that possesses the desired strength, durability, lightness or any other qualities that one skilled in the art might consider useful and appropriate. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that based on the material used, other manufacturing methods may be used, such as, for instance, molding. 
     Connected to the left and right ends  406 ,  408  of the central portion  400  are the spaced-apart left and right handle mounting portions  402 ,  404 . The left handle mounting portion  402  is generally S-shaped and comprises a lower end  504  connected to the left end  406  of the central portion  400  and an upper end  506 . As best shown in  FIG. 5 , the upper end  506  is located above the lower end  504  and extends outwardly (i.e. toward the left side of the bicycle  100 ) and gently backwardly (i.e. toward the user on the bicycle  100 ). Similarly to the central portion  400 , the left handle mounting portion  402  is a hollow tube having a generally oblong cross-section. More specifically, the left handle mounting portion  402  comprises an internal, top face  600 , a spaced-apart external, bottom face  508 , a curved front face  510  and a curved back face  416 , the curved front and back faces  510  and  416  connecting the internal, top face  600  and the external bottom face  508  to one another. 
     At the upper end  506  thereof, the left handle mounting portion  402  is provided with an opening  512  for receiving therein a portion of the left brake lever assembly  310  and allowing the passage of a front brake cable  1006  (show in  FIGS. 10 and 12 ), as it will become apparent below. As best shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , the internal, top face  600  and the external, bottom face  508  are leaning downwardly proximal to the upper end  506  of the left handle mounting portion  402 . In other words, the curved front face  510  is located slightly below the curved back face  416  at this location, such that the opening  512  is inclined from the back toward the front of the bicycle  100 . This configuration enables the reception of a portion of the left brake lever assembly  310  in the opening  512 , while providing a user with an ergonomic position for actuating the brake lever assembly  310  during the operation of the bicycle  100 , as it will become apparent below. 
     Still referring to  FIG. 5 , the opening  512  is partially closed by a mounting member  514 , proximal to the back face  416 . The mounting member  514  comprises a penannular hole (not shown) for mounting the left handle assembly  306  to the left handle mounting portion  402 . More specifically and in this embodiment, the left handle assembly  306  comprises a tubular shaft  418  having an inner end  420  received in the penannular hole (not shown) and fixedly mounted to the mounting member  514 , and an opposed outer end  422 . The left handle assembly  306  further comprises a grip  700  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) mounted over the shaft  418 , as it will become apparent below. In one embodiment, the grip  700  is made from a rubber material for enhancing the grip of the user over the handlebar  112 , while any other suitable material could be used such as plastic, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) or elastomer material. 
     The right handle portion  404  is also generally S-shaped and comprises a lower end  602 , connected to the right end  408  of the central portion  400 , and an upper end  604 . The upper end  604  is located above the lower end  602  and extends outwardly (i.e. toward the right side of the bicycle  100 ) and gently backwardly (i.e. toward the user of the bicycle  100 ). Similarly to the central and left handle portions  400 ,  402 , the right handle portion  404  is a hollow tube defined by an internal, bottom face  606 , a spaced-apart internal, top face  516 , a curved front face  608  and a curved back face  424 , the curved front and back faces  516  and  424  connecting the internal, top face  606  and the external, bottom face  606  to one another. 
     Proximal to the upper end  604 , the internal, top face  516  is provided with a lump  518  extending upwardly. As best shown in  FIG. 6 , the lump  518  provides the right handle mounting portion  404  with a generally L-shaped cross-section at this location. At the upper end  604  thereof, the right handle mounting portion  404  is provided with an L-shaped opening  610 . The opening  610  is configured for receiving therein a portion of the right brake lever assembly  312  and allowing the passage of a rear brake cable  1014  (show in  FIGS. 10 and 12 ). The opening  610  is further adapted to receive therein a portion of the gear shifter  314  and to allow the passage of a gear shifter cable  1016  (also shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 ), as it will become apparent below. 
     Similarly to the internal, top face  600  and the external, bottom face  508  of the left handle mounting portion  402 , the internal, top face  516  and the external, bottom face  606  are leaning downwardly proximal to the upper end  604  of the right handle mounting portion  404  for enabling the reception of a portion of the right brake lever assembly  312  in the opening  610 , while providing a user with an ergonomic position for actuating the brake lever assembly  312  during the operation of the bicycle  100 . 
     Still referring to  FIG. 6 , the opening  610  is partially closed by a mounting member  612  located at the junction of the back face  424  and the external, bottom face  606 . The mounting member  612  comprises a penannular hole (not shown) for mounting the right handle assembly  308  to the right handle mounting portion  404 . Similarly to the left handle assembly  306 , the right handle assembly  308  comprises a tubular shaft  426  having an inner end  428  received in the penannular hole (not shown) and fixedly mounted to the mounting member  612  and an opposed outer end  430 . The right handle assembly  308  further comprises a grip  702  (shown in  FIG. 7 ) mounted over the shaft  426 , as it will become apparent below. In one embodiment, the grip  702  is made from the same material as grip  700 , which material is preferably a rubber material for enhancing the grip of the user over the handlebar  112 . 
     The left and right brake lever assemblies  310 ,  312  each include a bracket  704 ,  706  mountable to the shafts  418  and  426 , respectively, and a lever  708 ,  710  mounted to the brackets  704 ,  706 , respectively, for pivotal movement relative thereto. The brake lever assemblies  310 ,  312  further comprise brake cable connectors (not shown) connected to the levers  708  and  710 . According to one embodiment, the gear shifter  314  is a twist-grip shifter and comprises an annular base member  712  for mounting the shifter  314  to the shaft  426  and a twist-grip operating member  714  rotatably mounted on the base member  714  for the user to modify the bicycle gear ratio. The gear shifter  314  also comprises a cable connector  718  for connecting the gear shifter cable  1010  to the gear shifter  314  (best shown in  FIG. 12 ), as it will become apparent below. 
     Having described to general components of the handlebar  112 , its assembly will now be described. The shafts  418  and  426  are positioned in the penannular holes (not shown) of the mounting members  514  and  612  of the left and right handle mounting portions  402  and  404 , respectively, and fixedly fastened thereto. In one embodiment, the shafts  418  and  426  are welded to the mounting members  514  and  612 , although any suitable fastening means could be used. The brake lever assemblies  310 ,  312  are then slid on the shafts  418 ,  426 , respectively, until a portion of the brackets  704 ,  706  is received in the left handle mounting portion  402  or the right handle mounting portion  404 , through openings  512  and  610 , respectively, to be secured. In this position, the cable connectors (not shown) of the brake lever assemblies  310 ,  312  are received in the left handle mounting portion  402  and the right handle mounting portion  404 . Once the brake lever assemblies have been properly installed on the shafts  418  and  426 , the gear shifter  314  is slid on the shaft  426 , the connector  718  extending in the right handle mounting portion  404 , through the opening  610 . The grips  700  and  702  are further slid on the shafts  418  and  426 . 
     For mounting the handlebar  112  to the fork assembly  108 , the stem cover  208  is removed from the stem plate  206  and the central portion  400  of the V-shaped hollow body  300  is properly positioned on the stern plate  206 . In accordance with one embodiment, the stem plate is provided with a recess  210  for receiving therein a section of the central portion  400  of the V-shaped hollow body  300 . Similarly, the stem cover comprises a recess  212  for receiving a complementary section of the central portion  400  of the V-shaped hollow body  300 . As such, the central portion  400  is positioned in the recess  210  of the stem plate  206  and the stem cover  208  is placed on the stem plate  206 , over the central portion  400 . The cross-sections of the recesses  210  and  212  of the stem plate  206  and of the stem cover  208  being sized slightly smaller than the cross-section of the central portion  400 , the stem cover  208  is prevented from adjoining the stem plate  206 . Threaded fasteners (not shown) are then used to cause the stem cover  208  to move downwardly, toward the stem plate  206 . As the stem cover  208  is moved downwardly by the threaded fasteners, the central portion  400  becomes squeezed or sandwiched in the recesses  210  and  212  of the stem plate  206  and of the stem cover  208 , thereby securing the handlebar  112  to the fork assembly  108  (best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 11 ). 
     According to one embodiment, the stem plate  206  is provided with a cable hole  1000  defined in the recess  210  for allowing the passage of the front and rear brake cables  1006 ,  1014  and the gear shifter cable  1016  toward the other parts of the bicycle  100 . In this embodiment, the opening  502  defined on the bottom face  410  of the central portion  400  is configured to align with the hole  1000  of the stem plate  206  when the handlebar  112  is properly secured to the fork assembly. 
     According to another embodiment, the blade  200  is provided with a first cable hole  1002  located between the stem plate  206  and the crown plate  204  and with a second cable hole  1004  (shown in  FIG. 10 ). Together with the opening  410  of the V-shaped hollow body  300  and the hole  1000  of the stem plate  206 , the first and second cable holes  1002 ,  1004  of the blade  200  enable running the front brake cable  1006  from the left brake lever assembly  310  to the front brake (not shown), inside the handlebar  112  and the blade  200  of the fork assembly  108  (best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 ). 
     According to yet another embodiment, the frame  102  is provided with a head tube  1008  for mounting the fork assembly  108  to the frame  102 . In this embodiment, the frame  102  is a hollow tube and the head tube  108  is provided with a front opening  1010  and with a back opening  1012 , the front and back openings  1010  and  1012  providing access to the inside of the frame  102 . Together with the opening  410  of the V-shaped hollow body  300  and the hole  1000  of the stem plate  206 , the front and back openings  1010 ,  1012  enable running the rear brake cable  1014  from the right brake lever assembly  312  to the rear brake (not shown) and the gear shifter cable  1016  from the shifter  314  to the derailleur (not shown), inside the frame  102  (best shown in  FIGS. 10 and 12 ). A person skilled in the art will appreciate that the configuration of the handlebar  112  allows housing the brake and shifter cables  1006 ,  1014  and  1016  inside the handlebar  112 , thereby reducing premature wear thereto. 
     According to a further embodiment, the bicycle  100  may be provided with electronic or electric systems and other accessories such as, for instance, an electronic speedometer or front and back headlights. Therefore, the bicycle  100  can comprise a battery or other electric sources (not shown) mounted to the bicycle  100  and electric cables (not shown) running from the electric source to the various accessories requiring electric power. A person skilled in the art will appreciate that, similarly to the front brake cable  1006 , the rear brake cable  1014  and the gear shifter cable  1016 , such electronic or electric cables may be routed inside the frame  102 , the fork assembly  108  and the V-shaped hollow body  300  of the handlebar  112 . 
     While in this embodiment, shafts  418  and  426  are mounted to the hollow body  300  via mounting members  514  and  612 , a skilled addressee will appreciate that other handlebar configurations are possible. For instance, an alternate embodiment of a handlebar  1300  is shown in  FIGS. 13 to 15 . 
     The handlebar  1300  comprises a generally V-shaped tubular member  1302  (best shown in  FIGS. 14 and 15 ) provided with a lower, central stem portion  1500  from which upwardly and outwardly extend a pair of left and right handle mounting portions  1502 ,  1504 . Mounted to the tubular member  1302  is a hollow body  1304 . The hollow body  1304  comprises left and right hollow body portions  1306 ,  1308  mounted to the left and right handle mounting portions  1502 ,  1504  of the tubular member  1302 , respectively. Together, the left and right hollow body portions  1306 ,  1308  define a structure similar to hollow body  300 , with the exception of the central stem portion  1500  that is defined by the tubular member  1302  rather than by the hollow bodies  1306 ,  1308  themselves. In this embodiment, the left hollow body portion comprises a back shell  1506  and a front shell  1508 . Similarly, the right hollow body portion  1306  comprises a back shell  1507  and a front shell  1509 . 
     Taking the left hollow body portion  1306  as example, the assembly of the left and right hollow bodies  1306 ,  1308  to the tubular member  1302  will now be described. A skilled addressee will appreciate that the right hollow body  1308  is assembled in a way similar to assembly of hollow body  1306 . 
     The left hollow body portion  1306  comprises a back shell  1506  and a complementary front shell  1508  (shown in  FIGS. 13 and 15 ). Defined in the back shell  1506  is a bore (not shown) provided with a flange (not shown) for receiving therein a threaded fastener  1510 . Similarly, the front shell  1508  is provided with a flanged bore  1512  for receiving another threaded fastener  1514 . 
     For fastening the back and front shells  1506 ,  1508  to the tubular member  1302 , the left handle mounting portion  1502  of the tubular member  1302  is provided with a left threaded tube or spacer  1516  extending frontwardly and through the thickness of the tubular member  1302 , perpendicularly thereto. Accordingly, the threaded tube  1516  provides the tubular member  1302  with a back threaded hole (not shown) and a front treaded hole  1518  for receiving therein threaded fasteners  1510  and  1514 , respectively. 
     For assembling the left hollow body portion  1306 , the flanged hole  1512  of the front shell  1508  is aligned with the front threaded hole  1518  of the threaded tube  1516 . The fastener  1514  is then inserted through the flanged hole  1512  and secured until the front shell  1508  is properly positioned on the tubular member  1302 . The flanged hole (not shown) of the back shell  1506  is then aligned with the back threaded hole (not shown) of the threaded tube  1516 . The fastener  1510  is then inserted through the flanged hole (not shown) and secured until the back shell  1506  is properly positioned on the tubular member  1302  and relative to the front shell  1508 . For closing the flanged holes  1512  after the threaded fasteners  1510  and  1514  have been secured and hiding the head thereof, plugs or screw covers  1520  are inserted in the flanged holes  1512 . 
     The right hollow body portion  1308  is assembled to the tubular member  1302  in a similar fashion, as it will be appreciated by a skilled addressee. The skilled addressee will further appreciate that various other techniques may be used for securing the shells  1506 ,  1508  to the left and right handle mounting portions  1502 ,  1504  of the tubular member  1302  such as by gluing, welding or the like. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 13 and 14 , when the front and back shells  1508 ,  1509  and  1506 ,  1507  of the left and right hollow body portions  1306 ,  1308  are assembled, left and right control openings  1310 ,  1312  are defined. Further, a portion of the left and right handle mounting portions  1502 ,  1504  extends outwardly from the control openings  1310 ,  1312  to define left and right handle tubular shafts  1322 ,  1324 . The left and right handle tubular shafts  1322 ,  1324  are adapted for mounting left and right handle grips  1314 ,  1316 , brake levers  1326 ,  1328  and gear shifter  1330  to the handlebar  1300 . 
     For closing the left and right control openings  1310 ,  1312  while allowing control cables to enter the inner cavity of the hollow body, a left handle cover  1540  and a right handle cover  1542  may be provided (best shown in  FIG. 15 ). Referring to  FIGS. 13 to 15 , the assembly of these handle covers  1540  and  1542  will be described. The back shell  1506  of the left hollow body  1306  is provided with a hole  1318  and the left handle cover  1540  is provided with a corresponding threaded hole (not shown). Once the left handle cover  1540  is properly positioned on the tubular member  1302 , the threaded hole of the left handle cover  1540  and the threaded hole  1318  of the back shell  1506  are aligned to one another. This allows securing the left handle cover  1540  to the left hollow body  1306  using a threaded fastener  1320 . Similarly, the back shell  1507  of the right hollow body portion  1308  is provided with a hole  1522  aligned with a corresponding threaded hole  1524  in the right handle cover  1542  properly positioned on the tubular member  1302 . This configuration allows securing the right handle cover  1542  to the right hollow body  1308 . 
     While in this embodiment threaded fasteners such as bolts or screw are used, a skilled addressee will appreciate that any other suitable types of fastening means could be used. For instance, the back and front shells  1506 ,  1507 ,  1508  and  1509  may be secured to the tubular member  1302  using rivets, snaps and the like. 
     Because the stem portion  1500  of the tubular member  1302  is not covered in this embodiment by any of the left and right hollow body portions  1306 ,  1308 , a cable (not shown) routed in the hollow body  1300  can exit the inner cavity of the hollow body  1300  in this region to enter the fork assembly, as previously described. 
     A skilled addressee will appreciate that the configurations of the above described embodiments are of great advantage. More specifically, the above configurations of handlebars (e.g. handlebars  112  and  1300 ) enable internal routing of control cables or wires, such as break and gear shifter cables, inside the hollow bodies, (e.g. hollow bodies  300  and  1304 , respectively). Further, because the hollow bodies of handlebars  112  and  1300  are provided with openings (e.g. openings  512  and  610 , as well as  1310  and  1312 ) and in some embodiments with cover openings (e.g. covers  1540  and  1542 ), the controls (e.g.  310 ,  312 ,  710 ,  1326 ,  1328  and  1330 ) are positioned such that cables running therefrom towards the fork assembly directly enter the cavities defined by the hollow bodies and are not exposed to surrounding environment, even during operation of such controls. Such an internal routing of control cables advantageously contributes to preventing premature wear of the cables or wires caused by a scrubbing of the cables or wires against the various components of the handlebar. Protecting the cables and wires passing through the handlebar further prevents the control cables from being exposed to natural elements such as rain and dust, which in turn contributes to preventing the cables and wires from being damaged. Cables or wires routed in the handlebar are further protected from vandalism. This is of great advantage, especially if the bicycle is used in a bicycle sharing program in which bicycles are usually stored in public areas. 
     Although the foregoing description and accompanying drawings relate to specific preferred embodiments of the present invention as presently contemplated by the inventor, it will be understood that various changes, modifications and adaptations, may be made.