Steel Merckx frames considerations and questions

duke01

Hi

My Merckx Strada is getting a new fork (see why on an old thread on this forum); I have chosen a MX Leader fork because that's the first one I've found. I turns out to be an acclaimed design among steel riders: an innovative fork, larger in diameter which would give incredible sensations bla bla. Ok, good for me! Now I have noticed 2 things:

- the fork is chromed under the paint. Can I strip the paint off and leave it like that, unprotected? (It's not a nice paint job at all, a chromed fork is cool while unmatching frame and forks are not...)

- By having both forks running parallel to each other, side to side, I see that my wheel will be 1/2 inch further away from the BB. "more stable and less nervous" Is it gonna make that much difference? Anyone has experience with that?

Thanks for your comments

Matthewfalle

1. Yes, however the caveat is that oxidation will occur but nothing major you won't be able to handle with a tad of Solvol occasionally.

2. Yes as 1/2 inch is actually quite significant - it will increase trail and therefore stability and slow down steering. But hey, you'll get used to it and it may even make the ride nice and chilled out.