Aerodynamic storage element and frame

A bicycle frame (10) of a bicycle (12) comprising:

• a top tube (30) with a front end (31) and a rear end (32),
• a head tube (20) with a top end (21) and a lower end (22),
• a down tube (40) with a front end (41) and a rear end (42),
• a seat tube (50) with a top end (51) and lower end (57),
• the front end (31) of the top tube (30) connected to the top end (21) of the head tube (20),
• the front end (41) of the down tube (40) connected to the lower end (22) of the head tube (20),
• the top tube (30) and down tube (40) diverging away from each other as the top tube and the down tube extend rearwardly from the head tube (20),
• the rear end (42) of the down tube (40) coupled to the lower end (57) of the seat tube (50),
• the rear end (32) of the top tube (30) connected to the top end (51) of the seat tube (50),
• the top tube (30), head tube (20), down tube (40) and seat tube (50) substantially forming a closed main frame loop (14) about a hollow central cavity (15),
• the head tube (20) adapted to be coupled to a pivotable front fork (77) which carries a front wheel and handlebars,
• the top tube (30), head tube (20), down tube (40) and seat tube (50) each comprise a tubular member extending about a respective longitudinal axis (131;
• 121;
• 141;
• 151),
• the longitudinal axis (131;
• 121;
• 141;
• 151) each of the top tube (30), head tube (20), down tube (40) and seat tube (50) lies in a flat longitudinal central plane (92),
• the frame (10) in normal use in a bicycle (12) is adapted to be moved in a forward direction with the head tube (20) and down tube (40) forward of the seat tube (50) and the top tube (30) extending generally in the forward direction,
• the each tubular member having a circumferential wall about its respective longitudinal axis (131;
• 121;
• 141;
• 151) with the circumferential wall having an exterior surface generally symmetrical about the central plane (92),
• the each tubular member having inwardly directed portions of its exterior surface facing the central cavity (15),
• a storage element (81;
• 82;
• 83;
• 84;
• 85;
• 81b;
• 81c;
• 81e;
• 82a;
• 83a) disposed within the central cavity (15) coupled to the frame (10),
• the storage element (81;
• 82;
• 83;
• 84;
• 85;
• 81b;
• 81c;
• 81e;
• 82a;
• 83a) having an exterior surface with concealed portions (29;
• 49;
• 59) of the exterior surface of the storage element (81;
• 82;
• 83;
• 84;
• 85;
• 81b;
• 81c;
• 81e;
• 82a;
• 83a) adjacent and concealing inwardly directed concealed portions (29;
• 49;
• 59) of the exterior wall of at least one of the head tube (20), down tube (40) and seat tube (50) when the storage element (81;
• 82;
• 83;
• 84;
• 85;
• 81b;
• 81c;
• 81e;
• 82a;
• 83a) is coupled to the frame (10),
• the storage element (81;
• 82;
• 83;
• 84;
• 85;
• 81b;
• 81c;
• 81e;
• 82a;
• 83a) having exposed portions of its exterior surface which when the storage element (81;
• 82;
• 83;
• 84;
• 85;
• 81b;
• 81c;
• 81e;
• 82a;
• 83a) is coupled to the frame (10), together with exposed portions of the exterior surfaces of one or more of the head tube (20), down tube (40), and seat tube (50) to which the storage element (81;
• 82;
• 83;
• 84;
• 85;
• 81b;
• 81c;
• 81e;
• 82a;
• 83a) is adjacent forming in cross section normal to the central plane an oval shape generally symmetrical about the central plane (92) and elongate in the forward direction,
• characterized in that in the concealed portions (93;
• 95;
• 192;
• 93d;
• 95d;
• 93f;
• 95g) of the exterior surface of the storage element (81;
• 82;
• 83;
• 84;
• 85;
• 81b;
• 81c;
• 81e;
• 82a;
• 83a) have complementary mating shapes to shapes of the concealed portions (49;
• 59) of the exterior surface of the head tube (20), down tube (40) and seat tube (50) such that the concealed portions (93;
• 95;
• 192;
• 93d;
• 95d;
• 93f;
• 95g) of both are adjacent.