ignorant question

[vqdriver]

why do the old steel rigs, mine included, have the fork blades bend back before curving forward?
it looks like they've been run into a curb.

[avalonracing]

Maybe they have.

[csm]

yeah I think the blades should sorta parallel the steerer tube before the rake.....

[thwart]

I'm sure a frame builder will answer this, but my guess would be to use the shape more as a spring.

Of course, sometime in the '90's I think Colnago did some engineering work that suggested their classic straight fork damps just as well, IIRC.