..yes, as you have determined there was a certain period where these were made and sold like this. I have one that I built up with 27" clincher wheels, because they sold a model like that ,(in one of the catalogs you can find a picture of it.) They are "quick" in handling, but not unmanageable. Mine was not bentwhen I got it, and has never been straightened. Its not bent now, it's just a cycle with a very steep head tube.

I'm an experienced rider, but it's not like I have superpowers. If I can ride it, I presume anyone can. You do have to be mindful of your toe overlap, but once you hit a certain minimum speed, turning is more about weight change than turning the front wheel very far. So basically not an issue. Here's a picture.




This one came into the US with a guy who bought it at a pro shop in Germany. He rode it into the ground, but I wanted a PX-10 with Nervar lugs, so I bought it as a project, bought another donor bike, and reconstructed this one using the donor components. I would not have done that, if I thought the frame was bent...and I have the usual stuff to check frame and fork alignment...no frame table.