Patent ID: 7252344

Claim:
A hub assembly for a bicycle wheel, the hub assembly comprising: a hollow shaft adapted to receive a quick-release axle and extending along a longitudinal axis, said hollow shaft comprising the following three distinct portions: a central portion having a first end and a second end; a first end piece mounted to the first end of the central portion of the hollow shaft and extending longitudinally beyond the first end of the central portion of the hollow shaft; a first shouldered nipple extending longitudinally from the first end piece of the hollow shaft and adapted to be secured to a first part of a bicycle fork; a second end piece mounted to the second end of the central portion of the hollow shaft and extending longitudinally beyond the second end of the central portion of the hollow shaft; a second shouldered nipple extending longitudinally from the second end of the hollow shaft and adapted to be secured to a second part of a bicycle fork; said central portion forming a spacer between said first and second end pieces; said central portion being made of a material having a lower density than a material of either of the first and second end pieces; a hub body; a first bearing and a second bearing, each of said first and second bearings comprising an inner race and an outer race, said inner races of said first and second bearings being mounted on said first and second end pieces of said central portion of said hollow shaft, and said outer races of said first and second bearings being mounted to the hub body for rotationally mounting the hub body to the hollow shaft.