In a message dated 12/25/03 7:56:33 AM Pacific Standard Time,
LouDeeter@aol.com writes:
> It was level with the fork crown, but only on the bottom of the inside of
> the
> steerer tube. Makes sense that it served the same purpose of the old hard
> wood insert, but what was that purpose? Did it actually prevent steerer
> tube
> deflection? Lou Deeter, Orlando FL
>
The wood plug was to keep the fork from falling off the bike if the steerer
broke. In the 50s and 60s, "Team" issue Bianchi race bikes (and production
bikes) had some kind of seamed steerer tube, even on the Columbus tubing frames,
and yes, they did occasionally break.
Stevan Thomas
Alameda, CA