In a message dated 6/6/02 4:22:49 AM Pacific Daylight Time, LouDeeter@aol.com writes:
<< Anybody have a clue whether the bend itself affects the ride or is it the
overall effect of the rake and trail? >>
Hi Lou,
The thinner the blade is at the bottom, the more difference there will be
where the bend is. I believe it will be a subtle difference, yet a
difference. Conversely, a fairly thick blade won't matter much at all. The
"bend" will only affect shock absorption. Trail is a completely different
geometrical component, that has to be matched within limits to the head
angle. Trail affects handling. I had a Merckx that ad a pretty typical French
set up of a steep head angle and too much fork rake, resulting in a bad
trail. Descending was no fun. If you just leaned the bike over, it wanted to
head to the outside of the turn with the front wheel feeling like it wanted
to wash away. The only way to corner the bike probably would have worked ok
on super steep alpine switchbacks. Keep it as upright as possible, body
weight to the inside, and turn the handlebars to steer around the turn.
Straight-steer turn-straight-steer turn, etc. The more "Italian" front
geometry of "short rake-with-steep-head" (in my size) produces a ride where
you look-and-lean and it goes "where you think" or see.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA