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Swapping crown races on forks - DIY or take it to a shop?

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Llewellyn

Dec 7, 2011
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I'm getting rid of a fork that goes with an integrated headset and replacing it with one that was using a conventional external cup-type headset. After setting everything up the fork still rocks backwards & forwards slightly when the brake is applied.

The only thing I can see that might be causing an issue is that the two crown races are slightly different (although they look the same to my untrained eye) so I need to swap them over. Is there a way to remove the crown race from my old fork and install the crown race from the other one that doesn't require special tools or is this a job for a shop?
 
fatsprintking

fatsprintking

Jul 15, 2010
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The crown race is part of the heatset and should not really be swapped from one headset to another in that even if visually "the same", the bearing surfaces will wear in and so all parts should be kept together.

If the fork has a steel or alloy steerer it is pretty easy to get the crown race off and to seat home the new one, but you need to be more careful with a carbon steerer and it would be better to leave this to someone who both has the the tools and is confident in what they are doing.

Why are you swapping out the forks? To be honest the integrated headtube with non integated fork look is pretty dodgey.:eek:
 
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Llewellyn

Dec 7, 2011
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fatsprintking said:
Why are you swapping out the forks? To be honest the integrated headtube with non integated fork look is pretty dodgey.:eek:
Click to expand...

The original fork on my Diamondback is aluminium (it feels like it's cast from a solid block and weighs 970g!! - I checked). While I'm definitely no weight weenie I thought I'd swap the Deda carbon one across to get some easy improvement in comfort and weight.

Sounds like it might be a job for a shop.
 
usedtobefast

usedtobefast

Jul 2, 2009
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Llewellyn said:
The original fork on my Diamondback is aluminium (it feels like it's cast from a solid block and weighs 970g!! - I checked). While I'm definitely no weight weenie I thought I'd swap the Deda carbon one across to get some easy improvement in comfort and weight.

Sounds like it might be a job for a shop.
Click to expand...

use the experts in your town for sure.
 
Notso Swift

Notso Swift

Mar 13, 2009
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Whole bunch of things to consider which will also effect your handling - for better or worse

Crown height, higher or lower crown changes the effective geometry of the frame
Rake 4-5mm more or less has a MAMMOTH difference, changing you bike from the type you can do km at 40kph no no hands vs skitty and unstable at 20kph (extreme example)
Combine both and the trail changes, just be aware
 
Fiemme

Fiemme

Sep 1, 2011
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Llewellyn said:
I'm getting rid of a fork that goes with an integrated headset and replacing it with one that was using a conventional external cup-type headset. After setting everything up the fork still rocks backwards & forwards slightly when the brake is applied.

The only thing I can see that might be causing an issue is that the two crown races are slightly different (although they look the same to my untrained eye) so I need to swap them over. Is there a way to remove the crown race from my old fork and install the crown race from the other one that doesn't require special tools or is this a job for a shop?
Click to expand...

Generally headset are made to fit the frame. If the Frame accepts an integrated headset, then putting the crown of a standard external headset on a fork then trying to fit this into the frame will not work. If the fork steerers are the same diameter then simple put the integrated crown on the new fork and away you go.
 
Bustedknuckle

Bustedknuckle

Jul 23, 2009
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Llewellyn said:
I'm getting rid of a fork that goes with an integrated headset and replacing it with one that was using a conventional external cup-type headset. After setting everything up the fork still rocks backwards & forwards slightly when the brake is applied.

The only thing I can see that might be causing an issue is that the two crown races are slightly different (although they look the same to my untrained eye) so I need to swap them over. Is there a way to remove the crown race from my old fork and install the crown race from the other one that doesn't require special tools or is this a job for a shop?
Click to expand...

Take it to a shop that has a proper tool, like this one or you run the risk of damaging the fork or FCR.

http://www.parktool.com/product/universal-crown-race-puller-crp-1
 
Boeing

Boeing

Jul 17, 2009
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Race removal and installation tools along with headset tools are the only things missing form my garage. keep saying its not worth it if I dont use it But I need them more and more.

every time I take a bike in for either I end up letting them build the rest.

maybe its a good investment. on my mountain bikes I am swapping forks all the time. Rigid to squish etc.

I also end up with used frame on craigs or ebay to build and need to remove headsets.

Should just drop the cash.
 
fatsprintking

fatsprintking

Jul 15, 2010
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Looks like you would be paying 150 bucks for the proper park race removal tool. If you just had the fork and went in to a decent shop they should only change you a few buck for using the tool - if anything if you buy other stuff from them.

You would need to be doing a lot of fork swapping to justify it, but it would be a cool tool to have. My guess is you would have every man and his dog dropping in to use it. Would be a good purchase for a bit of a tool syndicate - if I was chipping in 40 bucks to be able to use it when I needed it I would go for that.
 
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Llewellyn

Dec 7, 2011
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All done

Took it into a recommended shop yesterday, they said it would be about
$20- 30 (was happy with that) and that it would probably be ready on Friday. Got a call today that it was done, picked it up on the way home, total charge only $14.50.

Very, very happy with that and have now found a new shop for any maintenance that I can't do myself. I agree with other comments about buying the tools for this sort of job, it just wouldn't be worth it for the few times I'd ever need to use it
 
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Llewellyn

Dec 7, 2011
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fatsprintking said:
Cool - let us know how it all comes together.
Click to expand...


Put the "new" fork on today and it all works like a charm on the test stand (but will do a test ride tomorrow). Just by swapping the fork I've shaved about 600 grams of the weight off a bike that desperately needed to lose a bit of lard. It should also be a whole lot more comfortable with the aluminium fork gone
 
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