Composite bicycle frames and methods for making same

Abstract From the Canadian patent

Disclosed is an improved bicycle frame of composite materials and a method of molding generally hollow components and assemblies for such a bicycle frame. The entire bicycle frame may be one integrally united piece of molded composite materials, such as unidirectional structural fibers impregnated with a heat curable synthetic resin. Layers of the composite material may be shaped to form an uncured frame shell. This shell is compressed against the surfaces of a mold by an internal pressing member, such as an inflatable bladder routed to the outside through a passageway passing through a modified bottom bracket sleeve or a modified head tube sleeve. The shell is then cured while under …