Apparatus, system, and method for cycle improvements

A cycle comprising:

• a frame;
• a crank rotatably connected to the frame;
• a pedal rotatably connected to the crank;
• and
• a driven wheel rotatably connected to the frame and in operative communication with the rotatable crank;
• wherein the pedal comprises:
• a pedal body;
• and
• a pedal spindle rotatably connected to the pedal body and non-rotatably connected to a crank arm of the crank;
• wherein the pedal spindle comprises a pedal mating surface to interface with the crank arm, and wherein the diameter of the pedal spindle continuously decreases along at least a portion of the pedal mating surface in a medial direction to form a pedal spindle taper;
• and
• wherein the crank arm comprises a pedal bore to interface with the pedal mating surface, and wherein at least a portion of the pedal bore has a diameter that continuously decreases in a medial direction to form a pedal bore taper, and wherein at least a portion of the pedal bore taper has a taper rate and diameter corresponding to a taper rate and diameter of at least a portion of the pedal spindle taper.

A method of assembling a cycle comprising:

• providing a frame, a crank, a driven wheel, and a pedal;
• wherein the crank comprises a crank spindle with a taper and a crank arm with a tapered crank bore;
• and
• wherein the pedal comprises a pedal spindle with a taper and the crank arm comprises a tapered pedal bore;
• aligning the crank bore with the crank spindle;
• pressing the crank arm on to the crank spindle such that the crank bore and the crank spindle are in interference contact;
• aligning the pedal bore with the pedal spindle;
• and
• pressing the pedal onto the crank arm such that the pedal bore and the pedal spindle are in interference contact.

A stationary exercise cycle comprising:

• a frame comprising a down tube and a fork;
• a crank rotatably connected to the frame;
• a driven wheel rotatably connected to the fork and in operative communication with the rotatable crank via a continuous, flexible member;
• and
• a frame stiffener connected to the down tube and the fork and encircled by the continuous flexible member.