Fitting a crown race (MISSION ACCOMPLISHED)

The Big Cheese

I'm fitting some new forks the weekend (my first time as LBS normally does it but is too busy)

To save faffing around, I have purchased a new FSA Pig crown race rather than use the old one (only £3.99)

What's the best way to get them on the steerer?

I have not got any pipe laying around sadly, is the old 'Block of wood' a safe method?

I am aware as to not damaging the bearing surface, so tap tap tap around the race with wood/hammer..?

And of course I would grease the steerer

Have I missed anything?

The Northern Monkey

I used a big block of wood and the end of my peddle spanner.

Just make sure you keep rotating the wood around the crown race to ensure it goes on flush and you'll be fine.

Don't be afraid to smack the thing tho, takes a lot of persuasion!

Mancunianfightingcat

To be honest, if you push it down by hand as far as it goes, when you tighten the pre load bolt on the stem cap, it should push it in to place anyway (assuming your crown race is the split type).

I've done it this way several times and as long as your careful not too use too much force that you crush the bearings, I've never had any trouble.

I'm sure someone will be a long shortly to tell me I'm going to die when my headset fails or something similar, but as I say if you've got a split crown race I can't see nay problems.

If you haven't got a split crown race, I cut a slot in one of mine with a junior hacksaw and again, seem to have had no side effects.

dunker

i was thinking about this the other week when my bearings decided 2 years was enough and maybe faced with fitting a new headset but managed to source new bearings.

anyway my botch mind came up with - a block of wood with a hole drilled in it to slide down the steerer tube on top the race, then two longer pieces of wood placed on top this rising up the length of the steerer, then on top those a flat piece of wood, mallet - wallop dunno if it would work hehe

edit- there's the screwdriver and hammer method here,
http://www.mtnbikeriderstv.com/2007/12/ ... tallation/
^site reported as an attack site though looks fine to me :?

on youtube but without audio,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0FaQy07t80

supersonic

Can't cut a slot in it with a pig, loose ball bearings ;-)

Mancunianfightingcat

I thought FSA were the 'champions' of split races?

You learn something new every day!

supersonic

Lol, is very useful with their cartridge bearings, but can't be used with loose ball headsets.

ian_worby

if you've not already done it, provided your seat tube is bigger than the steerer, you can use that as a race fitter. just zip the post out and left the clamp on to protect. not much force is required..

I've used it before in desparate times. People may wonder at the horror of the idea, but provided your not bashing the shit out of your frame it'll work

The Big Cheese

Not yet.. the seatpost isn't big enough (25.4mm)

I am getting some hardwood from my shed. Measuring the size hole it needs and drilling it out. Then placing said piece of wood over steerer and shall use that to tap it in.

Should work!

clarkson

i use a block of wood and hammer. keep rotating the bit of wood around the race to seat it flush. similarly to remove, i use a thin flat head screwdrive and a hammer. the screwdriver goes between the crown and the race. then hit.

each works and ive not died yet.

who needs the proper tools!! even if it is easier!

dave_hill

Cheesey wrote:

Not yet.. the seatpost isn't big enough (25.4mm)

I am getting some hardwood from my shed. Measuring the size hole it needs and drilling it out. Then placing said piece of wood over steerer and shall use that to tap it in.

Should work!

You don't even need to do that. Just a few gentle taps working round it will see it seated, then tighten the headset and go and chuck yourself off a few decent kerbs to bed it in.

The Big Cheese

It is done!

Adjustable wrench, wrapped in a rag, over race and a couple of *wallops* and on she went. No problem whatsoever.

Those Pig races are sturdy as hell!!!!

Here's piccy of my lovely job (now just need to cut steerer down)





Thanks for input everyone!

Please as punch - mission completed!