I'm installing a new Cane Creek internal headset on a 2008 Cervelo R3SL. I already greased up the other headset pieces and put them where they need to go on the head tube. I want to slide the fork in.....But I haven't replaced the crown race. It looks good to me - see pic. What do you think? It is necessary to replace the crown race every time I replace the headset?

I know I shouldn't rush and should do it right, but want to start putting my bike back together tonight, and I would need the bike shop's help to remove the old crown race and put on the new one.





Thanks

not all crown races are the same.

replace.

Yeah, they look like slightly different sizes to me. Don't cheap out or rush things. Do it right.

If the headsets are exactly the same model the original crown race can be reused. If they are different models, install the new crown race.

Use some grease, applied lightly to the inner bearing race of the lower bearing. Place it on the crown race and check the contact area. The old one was riding high on the crown race, by the looks of the wear marks.

If the headsets are both made to the same standard, like IS, then there should be no reason to change the crown race. They would both have the same 36 degree angle and should have the same diameter. The bearings may even be made by the same Chinese company (THN).

no.

like I said, not all crown races are the same even they may look similar at first glance. dont be lazy -- it's not hard to remove/install a crown race. if you're going through the trouble of replacing the headset, you might as well do the job correctly and completely.

I agree

I would say same year as well

I agree. a headset is very important and you may not realize you have a problem until the bike is back on the floor. if you ave the part in your hand replace it.

Why would you even think about not using the crown race that came with your headset and that you have already paid for?

he does not have the tool to remove it and after using a hammer and screwdrivers to remove and install the rest he hates to pay a bike shop to change it

There are two basic classes of crown races. Those that are the inner bearing race such as those on classic cup/cone headsets, and those that aren't truly races but merely locating cones for a cartridge bearing headset.

The former usually must be replaced, since they were probably the problem in the first place. The latter only serve to locate the inner race on the fork, and if they have a reasonable fit to the race in the headset can be reused as long there's no raised burr or other distortion. Ideally the cone angle should match perfectly, but if it's close, there's enough forgiveness to use the old crown cone at least temporarily.

If it's really important to put the bike together tonight just make sure you will cause no damage. You can always replace the race later. I would suggest you take a pair of calipers and set them on the diameter of the wear line from the bearings on the old cone. Transfer them to the cone that came with the headset. If the calipers sit in the same position (preferably near the center of the cone surface I would think you are OK, as long as you don't experience any binding as a result of different height/design factors at the bottom of the headsets.

Uhh, I think those are both photos of the old race. Main question - does the new crown race look the same? If so, _since_ it's not really a "race", as FBinNY said, I'd feel safe re-using it. If the outside diameter, angle, height, etc. look any different, replace. My LBS just charged me a whopping $4 to press a new crown race onto my new fork.

If you own a LOOK frame, it has a carbon crown race molded into the fork. Any IS headset that you buy, regardless of brand, will fit and there is no option of replacing the race.