Bicycle Mechanics - Crown race and carbon steerer forks

Hi,

I have crown race that is on one carbon steerer fork and I would like to transfer it to another carbon steerer fork. Assuming I get my LBS to do this (i.e. expert), can I: 1) reuse the crown race on the new carbon steerer fork, and 2) leave the original carbon steerer fork undamaged after removing the crown race.

Thanks!

I only have one data point from the one crown race that I installed on a carbon steerer fork. That crown race had a split in it that allowed the race to be pushed on by hand, and removed just as easily by hand. Assuming yours is similar, you'll be fine reusing the race and not causing damage to the fork.

I only have one data point from the one crown race that I installed on a carbon steerer fork. That crown race had a split in it that allowed the race to be pushed on by hand, and removed just as easily by hand. Assuming yours is similar, you'll be fine reusing the race and not causing damage to the fork.
There should not be a split in the race and it should not go on by hand. It should have to be pressed on
Tightly or there will be movement that will damage bearing and or steerer tube
As for the original question races can be removed with the correct tool with out damaging either race nor fork.
I find it easier to just get a new race and not remove the old one.

There should not be a split in the race and it should not go on by hand. It should have to be pressed on
Tightly or there will be movement that will damage bearing and or steerer tube
As for the original question races can be removed with the correct tool with out damaging either race nor fork.
I find it easier to just get a new race and not remove the old one.

Have a look: http://www.speedgoat.com/productB.asp?part=40257&cat=37&brand=91

The headset was by FSA though I'm not sure of the exact model number (came with my frame/fork). Note that the headset was a semi-integrated type that used cartridge bearings.

Have a look: http://www.speedgoat.com/productB.asp?part=40257&cat=37&brand=91

The headset was by FSA though I'm not sure of the exact model number (came with my frame/fork). Note that the headset was a semi-integrated type that used cartridge bearings.
Integrated.. say no more. One of the reasons I still prefer conventional Chris King headsets.
Go to his website and read what he says about them if you already haven't.
http://www.chrisking.com/pdfs/Int%20Headsets%20Explained.pdf

Some agree and some don't. I fall into the faithful.:thumb:

Yeah, you can do it. A crown race puller will be able to remove the race with minimal effect on the fork, and the race is reusable. The steel is slightly elastic so you can get a good press fit using an old race and the carbon on the old fork is speced so that it will not be crushed or damaged by the race... otherwise you would see a lot of catastrophic carbon steerer failures.

There should not be a split in the race and it should not go on by hand. It should have to be pressed on
Tightly or there will be movement that will damage bearing and or steerer tube


Not true, at all. There are plenty of split crown races used in modern headsets, and, most of them can be easily pressed on by hand. They are, of course, exclusively used with cartridge bearings that supply their own bearing races. With non-cartridge type headsets the crown race supplies one of the two races needed for the bearings. All a split crown race does is provide proper spacing between the fork crown and the lower bearing cup (which, again, is not supplying a bearing race in a cartridge type headset).

Integrated.. say no more. One of the reasons I still prefer conventional Chris King headsets.
Go to his website and read what he says about them if you already haven't.
http://www.chrisking.com/pdfs/Int%20Headsets%20Explained.pdf

Some agree and some don't. I fall into the faithful.:thumb:

I have read Chris's bit on integrated headsets and while in the long, long term he might have a case, I have yet to see a single thread in this forum about a frame ruined because of a loose integrated headset so I don't think there's a whole lot to worry about. Even if the frame did become damaged, it's not too much work to machine the bearing surfaces down to fit properly again. If you can face a bottom bracket, you can face a head tube.

With cartridge integrated headsets the wearing out the frame issue is mainly moot anyways.

Even if the frame did become damaged, it's not too much work to machine the bearing surfaces down to fit properly again. If you can face a bottom bracket, you can face a head tube.
Or with a conventional headset you can put a CK in and forget about it almost forever.:thumb:

Or with a conventional headset you can put a CK in and forget about it almost forever.:thumb:

How did you jump from a properly installed integrated headset to needing to face the downtube? That part about machining was a big "if" that so far, as far as I can tell, isn't even close to reality. Seems most (all?) people have used their integrated headsets and forgotten about them. Difference is their head tubes look the way they like and they didn't pay an extra $100 for something they didn't need or want.

How did you jump from a properly installed integrated headset to needing to face the downtube? That part about machining was a big "if" that so far, as far as I can tell, isn't even close to reality. Seems most (all?) people have used their integrated headsets and forgotten about them. Difference is their head tubes look the way they like and they didn't pay an extra $100 for something they didn't need or want.
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