The invention addressed herein relates to a bicycle frame. Under further aspects, the invention relates to a set bicycle components and to a bicycle comprising the bicycle frame .

Bicycles with a bicycle frame are known. The bicycle frame builds the central structural element defining the relative position e.g. of the wheels and the pedals of the bicycle. A known bicycle frame comprises a head tube adapted to hold bearings for a steerer tube. The steerer tube is part of a fork member, which can be swivelled by the handlebar and which holds the front wheel. A known bicycle frame further comprises a seatpost mounting arrangement. The seatpost mounting arrangement comprises an insertion opening for a seatpost. The seatpost is adapted to carry a seat.

A known bicycle frame may comprise further structural elements such as a seat tube, a top tube, a down tube.

Furthermore, a known bicycle frame may comprise a pair of seat stays and a pair of chain stays both fixed to the seat tube at one end and holding the axis of the rear wheel in place .

Specifically in the context of sport bicycles, it is known to adjust the relative position of elements of a bicycle according to the preferences of the person riding the bicycle or according to the demands required by the track or the road. Such adjustment may be made to the height of the seat above the ground or to the position or the angular orientation of the handlebar. However, the bicycle frame defines largely the relative position of the elements of a bicycle with respect to each other, such that the amount of adjustment and the kind of possible adjustments is limited.

The object of the present invention is to provide a bicycle frame alleviating problems in the state of the art.

This object is achieved by a sport bicycle frame according to claim 1. Such a sport bicycle frame has a head tube and a seatpost mounting arrangement, whereby the bicycle frame is the frame of a single rider bicycle. The seatpost mounting arrangement comprises at least two insertion openings each for a seatpost. Thereby the insertion

openings are differently distant from the head tube.

When we address an "insertion opening" such opening may be completely surrounded by frame structure or may be slit shaped, as e.g. in the embodiment in Fig. 2.

The design of the bicycle frame according to the invention provides at least two possible locations for the seatpost along the horizontal direction. It therefore also provides two locations for the seat. The person riding a bicycle with a bicycle frame according to the invention benefits from a wide range of distinct positions for the seat in horizontal direction.

To manufacture a bicycle frame according to the invention, materials such as steel, aluminum alloys, titanium or carbon fiber composite material may be used.

The bicycle frame according to the invention being a frame of a sport bicycle may be adapted for specific use e.g. as a frame of a road racing bicycle, a track bicycle or a mountain bike.

Further embodiments are given in claims 2 to 8.

In one embodiment of the bicycle frame according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the

embodiments still to be addressed unless in contradiction, the insertion openings abut in respective cavities in the bicycle frame, the cavities being adapted to receive and to guide insertion of a seatpost.

In one embodiment of the bicycle frame according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the

preaddressed embodiments and any of the embodiments still to be addressed unless in contradiction, the cavities each extend along an axis and have a cross-sectional shape that is constant along the axis. This embodiment allows a sliding fit of a seatpost in the cavities, such that a continuous height adjustment or an adjustment in distinct positions of the seat is possible.

In one embodiment of the bicycle frame according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the

preaddressed embodiments and any of the embodiments still to be addressed unless in contradiction, wherein one of the cavities extends along an axis substantially coinciding with an axis of a seat tube of the bicycle frame.

In one embodiment of the bicycle frame according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the

preaddressed embodiments and any of the embodiments still to be addressed unless in contradiction, the cross- sectional shape of the cavities is one of circular, elliptical, polygonal, droplike.

The cross-sectional shape of the cavities according to this embodiment may receive and guide insertion of a seatpost of the corresponding cross-sectional shape. This leads to seatposts having high structural stability and a having good aerodynamic properties.

In one embodiment of the bicycle frame according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the

preaddressed embodiments and any of the embodiments still to be addressed unless in contradiction, the seatpost mounting arrangement further comprises fastening means for fixing the position of a seatpost in a force-locking or form-locking manner.

With this embodiment, a height adjustment of the seatpost may be achieved in a particularly simple way.

In one embodiment of the bicycle frame according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the

preaddressed embodiments and any of the embodiments still to be addressed unless in contradiction, the fastening means comprises a plate and at least two screws.

One embodiment of the bicycle frame according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the

preaddressed embodiments and any of the embodiments still to be addressed unless in contradiction, has a cover adapted to cover at least one of the insertion openings, preferably exchangeably one or the other of the openings.

With this embodiment, it can be avoided that rainwater or dirt enters through the at least one unused insertion opening and accumulates in such cavity accessible through the opening.

Further in the scope of the invention lies a set of bicycle components according to claim 9. Such a set of bicycle components comprises

- a bicycle frame according to the invention and as addressed above; - a seatpost having a cross-sectional shape slidingly fitting into at least one of the insertion openings; and

- fastening means for fixing the position of the at least one seatpost with respect to the bicycle frame in a force- locking or form-locking manner.

Thereby, each opening may comprise a cover fixed to the frame e.g. openable by a pivot-link.

Further embodiments are defined in claims 10 to 13.

In one embodiment of the set of bicycle components

according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the embodiments still to be addressed unless in

contradiction, the set further comprises at least two different covers each adapted to cover one of the insertion openings .

Depending on the details of the design of the bicycle frame it may not be possible to use the same cover for protection of all of the at least two insertion openings in the frame. In this case, a set of components including different covers, each adapted to cover one of the insertion openings is particularly useful.

In one embodiment of the set of bicycle components

according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the embodiments still to be addressed unless in

contradiction, the set further comprises one cover adapted to selectively cover one or the other of the insertion openings .

With this embodiment, the user of the bicycle may simply switch the positions of the seat tube and the cover

covering the previously unused opening. No extra cover needs to be carried along.

In one embodiment of the set of bicycle components

according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the preaddressed embodiments and any of the embodiments still to be addressed unless in contradiction, the

fastening means comprise a plate and at least two screws.

In one embodiment of the set of bicycle components

according to the invention, which may be combined with any of the preaddressed embodiments and any of the embodiments still to be addressed unless in contradiction, the

fastening means further comprise a U-shaped part adapted to encompass the seatpost. Such a U-shaped part may e.g. be used to clamp the seatpost against the seat tube in case that the seatpost is mounted offset from the seat tube.

The invention is further directed to a single rider sport bicycle according to claim 14. Such a single rider sport bicycle comprises a bicycle frame according to the

invention . A bicycle with a bicycle frame according to the invention provides a previously unknown wide range of positions for the seat in the horizontal axis to its user. This wide range of positions of the seat is achieved without

exchanging the frame. Depending on the constructional details of the frame and the length of the seatpost, the seatpost may be reused as well. Only minor parts for fixing the seatpost may be exchanged depending on the selected position of the seat. It is conceivable that the seatpost is adapted to the position where it is intended to be used, e.g. such that it has a length or a form of a lower portion adapted to fit into the corresponding cavity.

The invention is further directed to a single rider sport bicycle according to claim 15. Such a single rider sport bicycle comprises the components of the set of bicycle components according to the invention.

The invention shall now be further exemplified with the help of figures. The figures show:

Fig. 1 a schematic and simplified side view of the bicycle frame according to the invention; Fig. l.a) with the seatpost in a front position and Fig. l.b) with the seatpost in a rear position; Fig. 2 a detail of an embodiment of the bicycle frame in perspective view with a seatpost in a front

position; Fig. 3 a detail of an embodiment of the bicycle frame in perspective view with a seatpost in a rear

position .

Fig. 1 shows schematically and simplified a bicycle frame according to the invention. In dashed lines, other elements of a bicycle are shown to illustrate the context of the bicycle frame. The figure displays the other elements of the bicycle in schematical and simplified manner, too. The same bicycle frame is shown in Fig. l.a) and Fig. l.b) . The bicycle frame 10 has a seatpost mounting arrangement 11 comprising a first 1 and a second insertion opening 2. The bicycle frame has a head tube 12 at the front of the bicycle. The first insertion opening 1 is closer to the head tube 12 than the second insertion opening 2. Cavities 1', 2' abutting the insertion openings 1, 2 are formed into the frame. These cavities are invisible in the present view, but dotted lines indicate the positions of the cavities 1', 2' . The bicycle frame shown here has a seat tube 13, a top tube 14 and a down tube 15. It has further a pair of saddle stays 16', 16'' and a pair of chain stays 17', 17'', whereby only one of each pair of stays is visible in this view.

Fig. l.a) shows a seatpost 20 inserted into the first insertion opening 1. This way a seat 21 is in a front position .

Fig. l.b) shows a seatpost 20 inserted into the second insertion opening 2. This way the seat 21 is in a rear position and in this case, the seat is positioned on the axis of the seat tube of the frame.

Fig. 2 shows a detail of an embodiment of the bicycle frame, the detail including the seatpost mounting

arrangement. A seatpost 20 is inserted into the first - slit shaped - insertion opening 1 of the seatpost mounting arrangement such that the seatpost is in a front position. A fastening means, in this case a clamping means in form of a plate 22 exerts a force onto the seatpost and prevents shifting the height of the seatpost. The plate is attached to the frame by means of four screws 24. A cover 32 is placed over the currently unused second insertion opening 2 and prevents water or dirt from entering into the opening. On the upper end of the seatpost 20 means for attaching a seat are visible.

Fig. 3 shows a detail of the same embodiment of the bicycle frame as shown in Fig.2, but with the seatpost 20 in a rear position. The cross-section of the seatpost completely fills the cross-section of the second insertion opening 2. A fastening means, in this case a clamping means in form of a U-shaped part 23 encompasses the seatpost. The U-shaped part is attached to the bicycle frame at the same position as the plate shown in Fig. 2. The U-shaped part presses the seatpost against the frame, such that the height of the seatpost with respect to the frame is fixed. A cover 31 is placed over the unused first insertion opening 1. List reference signs

1 first insertion opening

1' first cavity

2 second insertion opening

second cavity

10 bicycle frame

11 seatpost mounting arrangement

12 head tube

13 seat tube

14 top tube

15 down tube

16' , 16' ' seat stay

17', 17'' chain stay

20 seatpost

21 seat

22 plate

23 U-shaped part

24 screw

31 cover (covering first insertion opening 1)

32 cover (covering second insertion opening 2)