This bike, at least I think it was this bike, was listed on-line for sale - $100 CND. I found the bike at the dump and can't help but believe it was the same one for sale on-line earlier. Anyway, the Steve Bauer captured my attention and was prices right (free) but something looked off. Was the fork bent? What do you think..?


From the side, hard to tell but I did wonder, even before I went to see the bike...


Looking down from the top, the fork crown and axle line looks parallel. Upon viewing from the front, the front wheel splits the fork blades perfectly even...


Guess I need to take the bike out for a hands off of the bars ride, to see if it (the bike) pulls one way or the other. But today is just too cold where I live, so the Bauer sits and I spent part of my morning harvesting the component from an old too big for me Velosport "Prestige" sporting a Shimano 600 arabesque group. The Velosport spent the last of its life collecting dust while fitted to a trainer, hence the rear tire...



Perhaps tomorrow I will take the Steve Bauer out for a short ride. I kinda hope it is bent. I have my eye on the bike's nice set of still supple Shimano hoods and the little used, barely worn braking surfaces, Araya wheel set, complete with serviceable tires. Both of which, coupled with the SIS transmission, to be fitted to a lovely pink Bianchi that has been waiting for attention since last summer (or even the summer before)...


The Bianchi (I really like this bike and hope it offers decent ride quality...

That wire confounds things a bit, but that Bauer sure looks bent to me. It's subtle, but it really does look bent. Maybe remove the wire and retake the pic?

No question custom by crash or garage impact.
Now, is it the steerer? The crown? A bit of the blades contributing?

headset adjustment or lack thereof could point.
my dart toss is the at crown.

small chance the ride quality might be more stable. Less rake can extend trail.

To further confound the issue; my 1986 Cannondale SM500 rode better after I slammed into a tree and bent the fork than it did before. If the Steve Bauer's fork is slightly bent and yet steers and balances perfectly, you might enjoy the ride more than with the stock trail amount.

That said: it's possible to enjoy the ride with a slightly bent fork and still be unable to get past the knowledge that the fork is damaged.

Well, had some time to get to the bike stuff today. The Bauer is definitely bent a wee bit but a bit is enough for me. Time to harvest the components and make room in my shop. The wheels and brake hoods are what I was most interested in anyway.