Hello all,
Fred DeLong covers this topic well in a book he wrote in 1974 entitled "DeLong's Guide to Bicycles and Bicycling".{} If my memory serves me correctly the book was printed by the Rodale Press.{} The chapter dedicated to rake and trail goes into depth to explain how and why rake and trail affect the riding and handling characteristics of a Bicycle.{} There are quite a few interesting photographs throughout this publication.
Jim Salzlein
Cape May Courthouse, New Jersey
{}From: REClassicBikes@aol.com
{}To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
{}Subject: [CR]Fork rake
{}Date: Thu, 6 Jun 2002 14:26:36 EDT
{}
{}Does fork rake affect ride.
{}
{}In answer to the, the trail definitely does, no question. The gauge of the
{}steel, definitely. The section of the steel, many people believe so, that why
{}round section forks are often still used on track frames.
{}
{}The big question, the shape of the fork. I look at it this way. If you made a
{}fork that extended 6 foot forward and bent back and forward on its self
{}several times, but ended up giving the usual few inches of trail, would this
{}give a different ride? Well, despite the obvious effect the weight way out
{}front, would it bend in a different way? I think it would, if it does, it
{}must have an effect on the ride. Reducing this back to a slightly bent fork,
{}means to me, an effect, only less.
{}
{}Cannondale make very expensive aluminium frames, no doubt with masses of
{}computer added analysis of its "ride". They use curved seat stays to reduce
{}vibration. Is this a gimmick or does that curve make a difference? If it
{}does, then surely a curve in a steel fork does.
{}
{}Next big question, does that curve improve or detract from things? I think
{}you will al know my thoughts on that one.
{}
{}Regards
{}Martin Coopland, is this summer finally arriving?
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