styrforgaffel

Styrforgaffel is the front steering assembly of a bicycle or light vehicle, comprising the fork that holds the front wheel and connects to the frame through the steering head. The term is used in Swedish-language technical literature to describe the assembly that converts steering input from handlebars into angular movement of the wheel.

The typical styrforgaffel consists of two rigid fork blades that diverge from a crown to hold the axle ends in dropouts; a steerer tube that passes through the head tube of the frame; and a crown connecting the steerer to the fork blades. The front wheel is mounted to the dropouts, and the steering mechanism (headset, handlebars, stem, and sometimes a quill or threadless system) transmits torque to the steerer, causing the fork and wheel to swing left or right. Bearings in the headset allow smooth rotation.

Variants include rigid forks, which have no suspension, and suspension forks, which use springs and dampers to absorb terrain while maintaining steering control. Materials include steel, aluminum, carbon fiber, and sometimes reinforced composites. Modern forks may use modular components such as cartridge bearings, sealed headsets, and tapered steerer tubes for stiffness.

Maintenance involves keeping the headset properly adjusted, inspecting for cracks or wear in the blades and crown, ensuring correct torque on dropouts and axle, and cleaning and lubricating bearings as required.

In bicycles, the styrforgaffel is central to steering geometry affecting handling, stability, and ride comfort. In motorcycles, the term corresponds to the front fork assembly that also houses suspension and damping.