i'm installing a crown race on my new cinelli vogorelli steer tube.

never installed this stuff before, first bike build. i noticed though that the crown race they gave me is not a complete circle. they split it so it could expand it looks like. just wondering if this is normal and where the gap should be when i set the crown race.

I've never seen a "split" fork crown race. Are you sure it's the race and not some other part of the headset, such as a dust shield? What brand and type of headset is it? Integrated, semi-integrated, external? Sealed or open bearing? Can you show us a photo of all the parts?

I don't know how common it is, but some sealed cartridge bearing headsets these days have a crown race that is split and can be installed without tools. It's sort of wrong to call it a "race," as it's not a surface for bearings, it's a fitting to mate the fork crown and cartridge bearing.

That's my understanding, anyway.

You should ask in the Mechanics forum.

Quite odd. I'd be skeptical.

you can see that it doesn't sit well right now. do you think once i set the star nut in and torque it down that it'll mesh completely?

it's not a race.
It's just a guide.

the race is in the cartridge bearings.

are you sure you have the correct integrated headset for your frame?

there are only about 20 to choose from, and all are incompatible with each other.

Wierd. Something's not right here. Perhaps you can get some info from FSA on this. I definitely wouldn't just try to force it on.

everything was included with the frame. so i couldn't have messed up on getting the right parts.

actually, I think that piece you're calling the crown race is for the upper section of the steerer tube. It's supposed to sit on top of the upper headset bearing with the cover over it.

the crown race looks more like a dish plate.

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https://docs.google.com/viewer?a=v&q=...masILlbvHT9mAQ

That's definitely not right. There shouldn't be a huge gap between your headset and fork. That looks more like the compression ring that sits above the top bearing. Can you take a pic of all the parts you have laid out on a table or something?

^^Agree, I have the same frame. Best not to mess with this stuff. I took my fork and all of the headset parts to my LBS and they installed the crown race for $5. The tool to do it is pretty expensive for how many times you would use it.

you're right it looks like i have it wrong.

i have two of the parts mixed up.

Yes. The piece above what you originally thought to be the crown race is the right one. Throw it in the freezer for a while. The metal will expand slightly and you may be able to drop it right on your fork without much effort. Whatever you do, DO NOT force it on with a hammer and flathead screwdriver.

thanks. i will freeze it and see how it goes.

how about a hammer and a wrench? i have one that fits perfectly

I wouldn't even try that. The best thing to do if you don't have a crown race install tool is get a piece of PVC pipe that fits nicely over your steerer tube and gently tap it on.

https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-mechanics/27446-installing-fork-crown-race.html

either that or go to the LBS. They'll install it for a few bucks.

Cold makes metal contract.

Heat expands.

Not to nitpick or anything.

****, yeah...you're right. It's been too long a day. It's been a long time since I've had to install one without the proper tools but I should definitely know that metal shrinks when it's cold. I can see the poor dude now, taking his crown race from the freezer and cursing me out because it's smaller than it was before.

I need a nap. Boil that sucker.

next thing.

what's the best way to get the star nut in there?

i saw a video using a screw driver and a hammer.

I saw a video of a guy going to his local shop and having them do it.

I'm kidding. Did you get the race seated properly?

using a starnut setter is the best method.
if you screw up and hammer it in on an angle, that means you'll have to buy a new starnut.

If you do that you're likely to get it in crooked and mangle the threads, which are pretty soft. What I do is get a long screw with the same threads from the hardware store, thread it in fully, use the cap as a guide, and hammer the screw to drive the star nut into the steerer tube. Make sure you don't drive it in too far, or the bolt won't thread fully into it. When you go to cut the steerer tube, you first drive the star nut in further past to cut point.

all set, just went for it and it all worked out.

just waiting on a few more parts to arrive and it'll be complete.