Serious question rob, but how many track fork that have failed due to the "unnecessary pressure" on the fork blade?
I have round blade forks on my track bike.
I tried once fitting a clamp-on brake.
I had the (not nice) impression that when braking the forks were bending.
I wanted to have "scientific" verification of the impression.
I packed some cardboard between the tyre and the downtube with adhesive tape, only leaving 2mm clearance between the tyre and the surface of the cardboard.
I tried the bike, used the brake, and looked. There was a tyre mark on the cardboard.
I did the same again with fewer cardboard packing. Leving 3mm, then 5mm, etc. Until there was enough clearance for the carboard not to be touched by the tyre when braking.
I don't remember what was exactly the final required clearance to avoid contact between the tyre and the cardboard, but it was around 6-7mm (not very far from the overall clearance, without any packing)
My conclusion was that I did not like my forks to travel backwards like this, whether it would or not lead to a failure (can't be bothered sourcing a chrome track fork with french steerer...), so I removed the clamp on brake. I only use that bike at herne hill anyway, and to commute on track days...
Now, I wonder if all round blades are the same, because, as Ed knows, some touring bikes do have round blade forks (for instance some of Alex Singer ones) and they are supposed to receive some luggages and have a front brake...
I have round blade forks on my track bike.
I tried once fitting a clamp-on brake.
I had the (not nice) impression that when braking the forks were bending.
I wanted to have "scientific" verification of the impression.
I packed some cardboard between the tyre and the downtube with adhesive tape, only leaving 2mm clearance between the tyre and the surface of the cardboard.
I tried the bike, used the brake, and looked. There was a tyre mark on the cardboard.
I did the same again with fewer cardboard packing. Leving 3mm, then 5mm, etc. Until there was enough clearance for the carboard not to be touched by the tyre when braking.
I don't remember what was exactly the final required clearance to avoid contact between the tyre and the cardboard, but it was around 6-7mm (not very far from the overall clearance, without any packing)
My conclusion was that I did not like my forks to travel backwards like this, whether it would or not lead to a failure (can't be bothered sourcing a chrome track fork with french steerer...), so I removed the clamp on brake. I only use that bike at herne hill anyway, and to commute on track days...
Now, I wonder if all round blades are the same, because, as Ed knows, some touring bikes do have round blade forks (for instance some of Alex Singer ones) and they are supposed to receive some luggages and have a front brake...