In a message dated 6/18/03 5:21:43 PM, classicrendezvous-request@bikelist.org
writes:
>Looks as though one could take an existing bike with a
>longish wheelbase and turn the fork around to get an idea of
>the differences in handling. I suspect the effects of the
>negative rake would be somewhat confounded by the increased
>height and the change to the head angle. I note that the
>front wheel is smaller than the rear so it might require a
>loaner fork from a post-CR period TT bike. Who's feeling
>adventurous?
Turning the fork around increases directional stability to the point that it can be a bit difficult to steer (the fork is constantly trying to center itself). You can launch a riderless bike with an reversed fork down a gentle incline and it will sail off straight as an arrow and stay upright until it hits something. Saw a neat demo of this effect on a British video on the history of cycling.
Bob Hovey
Columbus, GA