Olof Stroh wrote:
>
> > olof@stroh.nu writes:
> >
> > (cut) Makes sense that it served the same purpose of the old hard
> > wood insert, but what was that purpose? Did it actually prevent steerer tube
> > deflection? Lou Deeter, Orlando FL
>
> The rationale I´ve heard was that it was for safety, should the steerer break when riding on the cobble stones, but I´m not sure whether it worked, there are so many myths...
Yes, I have read that it was common pratice for race mechanics in Europe to drive 3 inch lengths of hard wood dowel (piece of broomstick) into the bottom of the steerer. Both of my Team Peugeots (late '70s PY10CP and an early '80s PRO10) came with these hard wood dowels in the bottom of the steerer from Peugeot's race shop.
Here's some nice pictures and a GREAT article about a second PY10CP Team Peugeot that I owned at one time and gave to Jim Langley (ex tech guy at Bicycling magazine).
http://www.jimlangley.net/
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
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