Removing a crown race

Willclement

Just bought and Iron Horse Mk3 Comp, it came with some piss poor wtb wheels and a soft as hell manitou minute fork, I want to swap them out for my Deetrax wheels and Pike forks, rear wheel easy enough done, but when i took the forks off and fitted my Pike's i get some front end rock when i apply the front brake and push forward on the bars.

Personally i think it's because the crown race on the Pike's is for a Pig DH Pro headset and the Iron horse uses a cane creek model of some description, otherwise the forks are identical, travel, steerer tube length etc.

So, i ask you, what is the best thing to do, swap headsets or swap crown races and what is the best thing to do?

P.S a crown race removal tool is a tad expensive for me right now. x

supersonic

Yes, you must swap crown races.

You can tap it off with a screwdraver and hammer. Carefully.

Then use a piece of pipe to install it.

Anonymous

Screwdriver+mallet = crown race removal tool.

with very VERY few exceptions, the crown race will always need to be changed - they're specific to each design of headset.

Willclement

Cheers guys, massive help.

The rubber mallet... a mountain bikers all around tool. haha

GOLDGPR

I found that when i changed mine last it was difficult to get in at first with a screw driver so a good tip is to carefully use Stanley knife blades put one in then another then work on the other side to get a gap to get the screwdriver in.

Just be careful with the blades.

To put it on get a pipe which slides over the steertube but not over the crown and hit it home or cover a screwdriver tip with gaffa/ electrical tape to stop marking the crown race.

G

Willclement

Yeah, iv'e been trying with just a screwdriver for a bit now, but the stanley blade idea is working a treat, cheers GOLDGPR!! x

Willclement

Done, and it's a better fit than the stock fork... result!![/img]