Newbie Question- Truss Rods.

[danthrift71]

Why were truss rods on forks of bikes? Looks? Function?

 

[axsepul]

I had same doubt but I have come to the conclusion that their purpose was for extra strength for the fork since back then forks were not welded at the crown

 

[SSG]

On most non springer bicycle forks they are cosmetic. Most are very thin walled and have a thin bracket at the top so they wouldn't do a whole lot of good structurally. The exception is on some heavy duty roadster bikes and trikes where they do provide some reinforcement. Early motorcycle forks were braced in a similar fashion, and in the teens and twenties bicycles emulating motorcycles were pretty popular. I assume they sort of progressed from that point and then became curvy once bikes became more streamlined.