> Dale Brown wrote:
>
>> Chuck Schmidt wrote:
>> 1950 Bianchi Folgorissima #287197 (P-R derailleur):
>> Head Tube < -- 74.25°
>> Fork Rake -- 6.0cm
>> Trail -- 3.4cm*
>> *wheel dia. 68.5cm
>
> So how does that bike handle, steering wise with so little trail? As compared
> to others? (This area always intrigues me as nothing seems to reliably gel
> with "theory").
Yeah, "theory" and trying to explain an object that evolved by trial and error with equations after the fact...
I ride a lot of different era race bikes and they all exhibit the same behavior. The first three hundred feet they feel a little weird (even the modern ones) and then after that they feel perfectly normal.
The one thing that the 60s and earlier bikes reward (require) is a smooth riding style. If you're not smooth the bikes won't go down the road straight and an exaggerated out of the saddle climbing style translates into a weaving bike. Of course, even today having a smooth riding style is still a desirable thing.
Descending they feel very stable, almost too stable, kind of like a motorcycle going downhill.
Their handling is not everyone's cup of tea; something you have to approach with tolerance, an open mind and a willingness to learn.
Chuck Schmidt South Pasadena, Southern California
.