My stab at it is that the straighter forks have something to do with the tendency to build more compact frames with shorter wheelbases. There is the current degrees of preference for stiffer and sharper cornering bikes, add more than a pinch of a fashion statement, and you have the new forks. I'm wondering if these were first seen on crit bikes (the totally straight forks), and filtered into the mainstream due to their "awesome" appeal factor?
I have a few new Nitto NJS track stems. I started to auction them. I'm the seller, therefore I am!
http://ebay.com/
Dennis Young Hotaka, Japan
> As I look at earlier forks I notice they often incorporate a more =
> extreme bend very low on the fork than we see in more recent forks and, =
> finally, we see the often straight forks (stilettos?) that are seen on, =
> say modern Colnagos. The early ones with the extreme bend are more =
> pleasing to my eye. I suppose this is just a matter of personal taste.
> I am wondering why the change away from this earlier form? Is there an =
> improvement associated with a lesser fork bend? Perhaps a weight =
> savings? Were these earlier ones a more supple ride than later ones =
> with less of a bend? I have owned a straight fork Colnago and didn't =
> think I had the ride I should have, but am not sure if it was the fork =
> that was responsible. I have not owned one of the bikes with a real =
> extreme fork bend unless it was my late '60s PX 10 30 years ago, and, =
> frankly, I just don't remember and at the time didn't have anything =
> else to compare it to.
> I'm sure that there is a tremendous amount of expertise out there on =
> this subject. Perhaps some of the enlightened could share this wisdom =
> with those of us who are not as knowledgeable on this? I have not =
> consulted the archives and am sorry if this was beat to death before I =
> arrived on the scene.
> Tom Sanders
> Lansing, Mi