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A wheel holding device for attaching to one or both a handlebar or a stem of a bicycle is described. In one embodiment, the device holds and secures the front wheel of a bicycle that has been removed from the bicycle's front fork for use when transporting the bicycle on a rooftop carrier of an autom

A wheel holding device for attaching to one or both a handlebar or a stem of a bicycle is described. In one embodiment, the device holds and secures the front wheel of a bicycle that has been removed from the bicycle's front fork for use when transporting the bicycle on a rooftop carrier of an automobile.

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We claim: 1. A device for securing a bicycle wheel to a bicycle, the device comprising: a generally u-shaped form having first and second arm portions extending from a base portion, the arm portions being spaced from each other generally proximate the base portion a sufficient distance to permit a

We claim: 1. A device for securing a bicycle wheel to a bicycle, the device comprising: a generally u-shaped form having first and second arm portions extending from a base portion, the arm portions being spaced from each other generally proximate the base portion a sufficient distance to permit a handlebar stem of the bicycle to fit therebetween, the first and second arm portions terminating in first and second ends, the first and second end portions being spaced from each other, the first end having a first dropout attached thereto, the second end having a second dropout attached thereto, the first dropout having a first slot and the second dropout having a second slot, the first and second slots being substantially aligned with each other and adapted to receive the ends of an axle of the bicycle wheel therein. 2. The device of claim 1, wherein the form at least partially comprises a wireform. 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the form at least partially comprises tubular rod. 4. An assembly comprising the device of claim 1 and a strap, the strap adapted to wrap around both a portion of the bicycle wheel and the bicycle. 5. The device of claim 1: wherein each arm portion (i) extends from the base portion a first distance to a first location, (ii) is bent at a first angle at the first location, and (iii) extends from the first location until terminating at the respective first or second dropout; and wherein each arm portion between the first location and the respective first or second dropout is substantially coplanar with the other arm portion. 6. The device of claim 5, wherein the first angle is between 30 and 100 degrees. 7. The device of claim 1, wherein form comprises at least one from the set of aluminum, steel, titanium, magnesium and reinforced plastic. 8. The device of claim 1, wherein the base portion is curved. 9. The device of claim 1, wherein the base portion and the arm portions proximate the base portion are coated with a polymeric material. 10. A device for attaching a bicycle wheel to a bicycle, the device comprising: a generally V-shaped portion, the V-shaped portion including two legs; first and second support leg portions, each support leg portion intersecting with an end of one of the legs of the V-shaped portion at a proximal end forming a first angle, each support leg portion extending from the proximal end to a distal end; and first and second dropout portions, the first dropout portion being attached to the distal end of the first support leg portion, the second dropout portion being attached to the distal end of the second support leg portion, each of the first and second dropout portions including a slot formed therein for receiving a portion of an axle of the bicycle wheel, the slot of the first dropout portion being substantially aligned with the slot of the second dropout portion. 11. The device of claim 10, wherein the V-shaped portion and the first and second support leg portions comprise a wireform. 12. The device of claim 11, wherein the wireform comprises 0. 375 to 0.50"diameter steel rod. 13. The device of claim 11, wherein the V-shaped portion is covered with a protective covering. 14. The device of claim 13, wherein the protective covering is a polymeric material. 15. The device of claim 10, wherein the first angle is about 30-100 degrees. 16. An assembly including (i) the device of claim 10, and (ii) the bicycle wheel with the ends of the axle of the bicycle wheel received into the slots of the first and second dropout portions, and (iii) the bicycle with the device braced against one or both the stem and handlebar of the bicycle. 17. The assembly of claim 16 including a strap, the strap passing around a rim of the bicycle wheel and a portion of the bicycle. 18. A device for attaching a bicycle wheel to a bicycle, the device comprising: a framework adapted to attach to one or both of a stem and handlebar of the bicycle without a clamping mechanism that comprises interconnected moving parts; and a wheel attachment mechanism coupled with the framework for securing the bicycle wheel to the device wherein the wheel attachment mechanism comprises a pair of spaced and aligned slots adapted to receive an axle of the bicycle wheel therein. 19. The device of claim 18, wherein the framework comprises a wireform. 20. A combination comprising: a bicycle including a frame, a front fork pivotally connected to the frame, a handlebar stein connected to the front fork, a handlebar connected to the handlebar stem, and a rear wheel; a bicycle rack adapted for mounting to an automotive vehicle, the bicycle being secured to the bicycle rack; a front wheel of the bicycle removed from the front fork; and a wheel holding device having at least first and second ends, the front bicycle wheel being secured to a first end and the second end being attached to at least one of the handlebar stem and the handlebar. 21. The combination of claim 20, wherein the second end comprises a framework adapted to attach to one or both a stem or handlebar of the bicycle without a clamping mechanism that comprises interconnected moving parts. 22. The combination of claim 20, wherein the first end comprises a pair of spaced and aligned slots adapted to receive an axle of the front wheel therein. 23. The combination of claim 20, wherein the second end comprises a clamp and said clamp is secured to the handlebar stem. 24. The combination of claim 20, wherein the from wheel is further secured to the bicycle by a strap. 25. The combination of claim 20, wherein the bicycle rack is mounted to a roof of the automotive vehicle. 26. The combination of claim 21, wherein the second end comprises a generally U-shaped portion. 27. The combination of claim 20, wherein the wheel holding device substantially comprises a wireform. 28. The combination of claim 20, wherein the wheel holding device comprises a single unitary piece.