Straight vs curved forks--is there a reason?
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Originally Posted by Katzenjammer
Apart from straight probably being easier to make, I mean.
Aaron
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They seemed to have become prevalent in MTBs shortly before front shocks became widespread. It wasn't really the best design on an MTB in my mind. Anytime you use more material to get to the same place the result is likely to be more compliance. As far as all the stearing and handling stuff is concerned you can get the same result by simply angling the straight forks.
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Originally Posted by na975
i have straight blade fork w/ no rake on my track bike and i cant ride w/out hands, too twitchy.
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I think I heard a story about the old days when they would heat up fork tubes to bend them. the legs kept breaking. then Ernesto came along and solved that problem with his straight blade fork with the rake built into the crown. some say curved forks have a touch of 'passive' suspension. others say it's all about looks. this is one of those campy vs shimano things that comes along from time to time.
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Originally Posted by Surferbruce
Huh**********??
Aaron
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Might be a true story though Fork blade are very easy to cold bend and hot bending is a lot more trouble and requires enough heat to do bad things to almost any blade. With extremely fragile blades and rock hard wheels, used by athletes, there really isn't any reason to worry about the compliance of the fork and a straight blade should work fine. I have straight blades on one touring bike, and while they have a number of things I don't like, feel is fine. So technically why bend them
Aesthetically I prefer cureved forks, and if one is doing non-stock things to offset, it's better to start with a straight lug and bend them. Otherwise the tiny tweak may look like an accident. I'm building some 70 degree head tube forks, and I need to customize the trail, so I have to do some bending.
Aesthetically I prefer cureved forks, and if one is doing non-stock things to offset, it's better to start with a straight lug and bend them. Otherwise the tiny tweak may look like an accident. I'm building some 70 degree head tube forks, and I need to customize the trail, so I have to do some bending.
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There is very little difference in performance between a straight blade fork vs. a curved one - assuming the same fork blades are used and the rake is the same. Many people think straight blade forks don't have rake but this is not true; the rake is set at the crown on straight forks vs. bent into the legs. Regarding ride quality, some people claim straight blade forks ride rough but this is controversial, even among professional builders. I think it's fair to say that the difference is VERY slight at best.
Straight blade forks are about looks. Period. Oh, and they are slightly easier to build, at least I think so and I've built a few each way.
Straight blade forks are about looks. Period. Oh, and they are slightly easier to build, at least I think so and I've built a few each way.