How To Remove/Install A Crown Race With Cheap/Homemade Tools
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- Опубликовано: 15 сен 2024
- I show you how to replace the crown race on a bike fork without using expensive tools. I removed the crown race using a flat tip screwdriver and a hammer. Then I installed the crown race using a tool that you can make for $5 from a piece of PCV pipe and a cap.
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The PVC crown race tool is a gem! I built one yesterday (~$3.50- Home Depot had a precut length of 1 1/4" pvc for a little under $3), used it so set a race last night. Soooooooo easy. For a tool that will not get used too often (but is nice to have) being able to build one on the cheap is a welcome alternative. THANKS!
This saved me yet another trip to the bike shop which already gets plenty of my $$ :)
I have watched many of your videos all of them are very good because you know how to explain particular subject. I love your very good kind of explanation and thanks to you I have done many repairs and also i rebuild or build or fix my bicycles or my friends bicycles. For me you are the kind of person who has gold hands and can fix everything. By the way English is my second language. Thank you.
Great video. I'm off to Home Depot tomorrow to buy my new Crown race setting tool. This is gonna help me on my 1986 Haro Master build. Thanks a million!!!
RJ, you deserve a million subscribers! you're not like other channel, selling stuff and promoting other big brands marketing stuff, you're genuine in helping normal people like me to fix our bike. Thank you!
Thanks!
There are quite a few great people making bike repair videos for RUclips. RJ is probably the best, certainly the best American I've watched.
Thanks once again, RJ. With a rubber mallet I could not get the crown race the final ~2mm to the base of the steerer despite grease and differentially heating the steerer (ice pack for >10 min) and the crown race (stove flame ~6 inches for a few secs). My PCV tool was not cut perfectly straight, which might've made it more likely for the crown race to get hung up at a slight angle. However, as soon as I switched to a steel hammer** the crown race easily dropped the final ~2 mm. (**Should have used eye protection, though the PVC held up fine.)
I have had success each time installing crown race without hammer: I heat the crown race with an open flame (like a gas stove), which extends it to be ever so slightly bigger. Then drop it on the steerer tube, and it will just slide on all the way down. Within a few seconds it cools down again and it's locked in place.
my crown race seems to be aluminum and i didn't want to take a chance of messing it's hardening by heating it up.. just a heads-up :}
@@duroxkilo Interesting point! I don't know much about metals, however intuitively I don't think the required heat for this trick would mess with the hardening. For example, aluminium pans don't seem to loose their hardening by using them on an open flame stove. I believe aluminium is hardened at about 550'c, but I don't know from what temp onwards they would loose there hardening.
@@markachternaam5207 you're probably correct, the procedure doesn't heat the crown race hot enough to influence it's hardening.
i checked with a magnet and in my case it's steel but it felt like Al :}
wow, gonna give it a try
I appreciate your time and help I love restoring bicycles and with your video is easy and offordable to finish the job thanks again God Blessed You
Thanks, picked up a 1/4” x 2’ PVC pipe at Lowe’s for only $3.45. Outer rim of the top of the crown race from my Tange Seiko Falcon 1-1/8” threaded headset clicked into it with just a little bit of force, keeping it centered around the steerer while being banged in with a mallet. Also, pried off the old FSA race with a 1” wide steel scraper rather than hammering away with a screw driver.
Consistently amazing videos, thank you RJ! For me the hardest part was to figure out what the name of the object was so that I could run a relevant keyword search to find your video... "crown race" was not an obvious terminology for me to find at all. I managed to find the term by watching videos of guys replacing their integrated headset bearings, but you are the first one who intelligently shows how to install and remove the crown race.
It's a bearing race. And it's mounted on the fork crown.
@@RJTheBikeGuy even better :) thanks!
Simon Hermansson, that looks like it is pressed on. Try scrubbing it with a scrub brush and getting it nice and clean. It might be easier to see. That might be tough to remove with a screwdriver. You might take that to your local bike shop and have them try removing it with a commercial crown race remover which can wedge in under the crown race.
RJ The Bike Guy Ok, thanks!
you saved me a huge headache tonight. THANK YOU!!!!
Thanks for the video. Should I grease the steer tube at the contact point a little before installing crown race?
It worked like magic. RJ, the youtube hero we needed.
I know this is an older video, but just wanted to say thanks. What a simple and inexpensive method to do this. I used this exact technique (chisel instead of screwdriver) and PVC tool and it worked perfectly on a 35-year old bike. Thanks a bunch.
Watched the video then did exactly the same myself. Now I have my own crown race setting tool. RJ is THE Bike Guy
Great advice as always! It is so much fun to buy an old neglected bike and bring it back to life. Thanks to your videos I can tackle very specific problems in the process of disassembling for a thorough piece by piece cleaning/de-rusting of all the parts. Oh the joy of putting it back together in a shiny state!!! Thanks a million for your work!
A vacuum cleaner tube makes a more 'precision' tool for fitting crown races.
Just don't hammer on the end or it bends. Us a block of wood on it.
Just changed mine with a vacuum cleaner tube. Ours has a hollow plastic end to join onto the next tube. This was ideal to go against the crown race and protect it. I put a 32mm 1/2” Drive socket over the other end, so there was something to strike and not damage the tube. Now returned to the vacuum cleaner, sorted! :)
I know this is an old video but I would like to add my thanks. I'm back in the MTB game after a 15 year hiatus and decided to upgrade to some new shocks. There's no way I'm willing to spend large sums of money on exact tools for these types of jobs and so I stumbled across you video for the exact process I need to go through. Subbed too, btw.
Awesome video! Really helped me replace my front shock on a bike found in the trash, but loved by me.
great stuff! I was able to remove the crown race from my 15-year-old Rockshox Judy. Happy days. Keep up the great work.
I managed to get the race off easily with a sharp chisel and a hammer. Put the fork horizontally and hammered the chisel in between the race and the fork. Again, thanks for good videos.
Thanks RJ. Saved me a few quid.
Use fully circular race with loose bearings, but for cartridge bearings, hacksaw a opening on the race and press it on with your hands!
great video this is just what i was looking for, we don't all have easy access to a bike store to buy expensive specialist tools and this works just as well. Thanks.
stewartiona You might like this video with a multiple homemade headset tools. ruclips.net/video/yAXFyfBJhKU/видео.html
Another useful tool and technique.
Thanks for sharing
You saved me big time today with this video. Thanks RJ!
thanks do you have any knowledge of antigravity craft repair ?
If I had one, I am sure I could figure it out. :D
ha haaaaa good man :)
Ask Bob Lazar
I used a ball joint fork to press out mine; fit perfectly on my 1-inch OD tube. Stuck a 2/4 on the inside of the fork during hammering. Used a regular bearing separator to install new crown race.
I don't recommend that. You want to get it off evenly so you don't damage the race seat.
RJ The Bike Guy The fork tips made contact evenly on both sides of the race. Thats why I used it. Race came straight off.
Just did this after watching this video. Super quick and easy.
Great video, I covered the screwdriver end in bubble wrap to stop starching the race paint.
Nice one. I hate the rip off merchants who try and sell normal tools as "specialist" to the cycling world so it's good to see some good old fashion ingenuity.
Thanks RJ. I had a new headset package for a new suspension fork, but if I could re-use the crown race from the old fork, then I could re-use the entire existing headset and not have to mess with cups, etc. Yay! It tapped right out. (Old headset was barely used)
useful demonstration and right to the point
Very helpful! Thank you!
Nice, I've done it similarly many time. The only suggestion I would make is to use a brass drift when hammering the crown race out, not a steel screwdriver - granted the steel screwdriver will not mar the bearing race but it will make cosmetic dings.
Did this today. Aheadset on old and “new” forks, both Rockshox forks... different crown races. Irritating. But as soon as I got any movement on the crown it fell completely off. No turning back and forth. It just came off on one shot on the first shot that did anything. Like the 45th overall, but the first effective one.
Thanks for sharing this.
What if the race isn't leveled before hitting? ( previous attempts end with breaking the lower races).
Any advice? Thanks
Really Usefol Thanks .... fidnt realise it was so simple
I am in the process of dissolving a frozen stem in caustic soda. I didn’t realize I also made a crown race setting tool when I made my dip tank.
This worked, but for mine the surface of the race did not stick out beyond the fork, so had to use a utility-knife blade first to get enough of a gap to finish with scewdriver. Surprisingly, you can hammer the blade without breaking your fingers, the blade, or the hammer.
Be careful!
Thanks for the video! My crown race is stuck and doesn’t come off with screwdriver and hammer tapping. It’s an 80s bike and has some visible rust around the crown race. Any tips? I’m gonna soak it in penetrating oil for now.
The screwdriver method used here only works when the race has a wider diameter than the actual crown like the old school forks. On newer forks the race is the same or smaller than the crown which is trickier to prevent damage
Worked like a charm, thanks a ton! Youve got a new sub.!
Interesting, i went to a Mexican bike shop on Monday and that's what he did.
Is the process the same on a threaded headset? I’m having a hard time getting it to seat.
Is the 1 1/4 " tube the right size for a 1 1/8 " straight fork?
Just thought of the vacuum cleaner tube - great idea
PVC pipe probably much stronger.
should you grease the inside of the crown race before installing?
How do I remove the crown race when the crown is wider/thicker than the crown race?
very good and quick perfect too
Thanks for sharing, it really helped me.
Thanks a lot; very helpful.
You are seriously awesome
Why didn't I think of using PVC tubing before?! Thanks!
Thanks
Nice video.Removing the race this way...does it trash the race or can it be reused?
Yes, I trashed my race on the 6th tap and scratched the steer tube... Even after taping the screwdriver to protect it.
This installation tool (PVC pipe) ripped the seal on the 1 inch Cane Creek crown race I was installing (diameter was to large). I could see it working better on larger 1 1/8 inch fork.
I have used it on 1" forks. I think the fork in the video is 1".
Maybe the problem was the blue gasket on the crown race, I'll need to try it with a different crown race without gasket. Would love a tip on a smaller diameter tool or how not to rip the seal. Thanks so much for these videos!!!
@@jds2873 Try removing the seal first. They usually just snap on.
That was really helpful, thanks!
Worked like a charm - thanks.
Thank you for your insight!
I HOPE THIS HELPS..I'm building a E- fatbike.
What size PVC works with a 1" threaded fork race? 1 Inch might work.
Great video as usual, thanks
1 1/4", save as I used in the video.
RJ The Bike Guy depends on the crown race width. I used a 1 1/4 per this and it shipped over my cane creek and stripped the seal off effectively ruining it
Great DIY'er thanks...
awesome video
Thank you, sir! You saved me😄
Thank You!
Your the man!
This may be a silly question but I need to ask. I'm in the process of buying a new headset due to pitting in my crown race. When purchasing a new headset does a crown race and bearings come with the kits? None of the pictures I see on the websites show a crown race or the bearings!
Usually they do.
You saved my ass again, thank you!
I cooked the crown race in the flames of my small gas camping stove for 5 minutes then picked it up with a needle nose pliers and dropped it straight onto the steerer and it seated straight away
That's a good idea, but doesn't that soften the metal?
How about sanding the inner part of the crown race so it will go in easier as long as it is not loose, is this a bad idea?
Yeah bad idea. It's supposed to be press fit on.
RJ is this 1 1/4" pvc you used?? If so, is that internal or external?? I have a 1" fork and I measured my crown with calipers and it's much wider than 32mm 1 1/4 " = 32mm. The external diameter of my crown is 37.1mm and the seated area (flat area) is 33.6mm. Which means the internal diameter of pipe i would need is 34mm. However your piping is only 32mm 1 1/4" external?? Or? Thanks
Yes, I believe it is 1 1/4. That is approx ID.
Regarding the installation:
So the pvc diameter refers to the inside?
Assuming I was making one of these for a 1-inch steerer tube, would I just use a 1-inch pipe?
Thanks.
The fork in the video has a 1" steerer tube. I used the 1 1/4" PVC pipe. It will work for 1 1/8" steerer tubes too.
shyflirt1 i see. Thank you so much. Awesome videos!
Thanks dude
$5 pvc saved me $50+ at the bike shop.
Life saver
Hi, thanks for uber helpful videos, RJ. Does anyone know if some forks come with fixed crown race? I'm trying to fix up a neighbors kids bike, 24", and the race is worn/destroyed due to riding without grease until bearings had rusted away. Have WD40:ed the rusty race to see if i can get it loose, but is there a chance it's fixed? Can't seem to find a place to put the screwdriver to hit it. Put a picture below: i.imgur.com/aKc1iHG.jpg Appreciate any input!
I bought a new fork for my cheapish bike... though i will just swap forks that's it! But noticed that something missing on new fork and it was crown race... Learn everyday smth new
+korsez Yep, the crown race is part of the headset even though it fits on the fork.
Thanks, that was a great video. I am going to use this method to remove a 1" crown race on an old racer I really like. I have one question though. Would the following work? Could I put the new crown race on and just push it hand tight. Then assemble the entire headset with the bearings and everything. Then 'very slowly' tighten the headset which would push the bearings against the crown race thereby pushing it into position. Do you think this would work? Have you ever tried it? I can see a possible drawback in that it might damage the bearings and/or the crown race. That is why I thought if you did it slowly it may work. Maybe I could put some masking tape temporarily over the surface of the crown race to minimise any damage.
A similar operation would be tightening a freehub by just using the chain of the bike and pedalling. What do you think ?
Thanks for a great channel.
So you would risk damaging the bearings and race to save couple bucks on pc pipe...
@@RJTheBikeGuy Good point. I'll use the pipe method. Thanks for responding so quickly. I'll have to go look for some pipe which will work.
(update: I found a section of plastic pipe in my shed. The diameter is slightly less that the diameter of the bearing so it should work)
I successfully replaced the crown race tonight using your plastic pipe tool. It was a great success. The bike front forks are like new. It is an old bike and I wanted to use it over the winter (and now I can). Many thanks.
You should come up with a name for ur homemade tools, market them maybe, but def name them so u can more easily refer to each one, have fun with it yeno
Hi RJ, I'm replacing my headset. I knocked the new crown race all the way down but around 1cm away from the bottom the race refuses to go down any further. Any tips on making it go down easier?
Are you sure the new one is the correct size? Measure it and the steerer with a caliper. The inner diametet of the crown race should only be about 0.05mm smaller than the steerer. Maybe your steerer is 27mm (JIS). If the crown race is correct, you can try freezing the fork, and heating the crown race to a couple hundred dregees. And then try installing it.
Hi Thank you so much for making this video. Is it normal for most 1 x 1/8" fork steer tube to be slightly wider at the bottom? my steer tube bore measures 28.5 mm, but it is 30 mm at the bottom. Is this normal? I have to install my crown race so I am not even sure whether 1.5mm extra width could crack or damage the crown race. Any advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much for posting this video. I will give it a try, and will do the oven heat trick as well.
+Sonnet Gomes Yes, it's normal, otherwise the crown race wouldn't slide down the steerer and get pressed on to the bottom part. Crown races do come in different sizes. The inner diameter of the race should be only slightly smaller than the bottom of the steerer.
Thank you so much. I will give it a try once my crown race setter tool arrives. It's off my 1.3 mm, so hopefully it wont need any chamfering and such. Thanks once again fro making this videos. I apologize for double posting.
+Sonnet Gomes 1.3mm? The ID of the crown race should only be about .05 to .15mm smaller than the seat.
Actually it is the steer tube bore, the top measure 28.6 mm and the bottom measure 30 mm. I think this is normal, but still seems to be quite a bit of stretch. I haven't measured the crown-race inner diameter. I will double check everything tonight. Thanks once again.
What do you do if the crown race is not as wide as the top of the fork. ie) You can't just flip it over & get a screwdriver underneath?
You may need an actual crown race puller which has blade like fingers that grab under the edges.
@@RJTheBikeGuy Thank you for the response RJ! In the end it was a stanley knife (box cutter) blade tapped lightly from behind with a hammer that did it.
I can’t get my crown race off. The stock SA Suntour XCT fork has a little notch where I can put a screwdriver, but it doesn’t even reach all the way to the stock crown race! So it literally does nothing. I can’t even fit a razor blade in between my crown race and fork. Trying to use a screwdriver just dents and scratches the side. Tried using a rubber mallet with a razor blade and still wouldn’t budge loose. Any suggestions?
You probably need a true crown race remover tool. Take it to a shop and have them remove it.
RJ The Bike Guy Yup that’s exactly what I had to do, thank you! Took it to the shop yesterday, only cost $20, for them to install the whole new fork, which is a lot cheaper than buying the tool.
hey man do you have a video on how to remove the actual shock "pipes" from the crown? if not can you tell me how to do it?
+lord shitstick I am not sure what you are asking?
RJ The Bike Guy the shocks are mounted in the thing you are pointing at in the begining of the video and im wondering how you get them out (if you even can) sorry for my bad english im swedish.
+lord shitstick Most of them are not designed to be removed. Some of them are clamped in, but the clamp is obvious.
RJ The Bike Guy oh ok thanks
genius!!
legend
Thumbs Up !!!
hey rj i have a fork the bottom steering use a threaded crown race, where can i find places that sell them?
*shrug* Never seen a threaded crown race.
No such thing as a threaded lower crown race!
@@Tony07UK it a threaded 1''inch fork buttom has thread also.
Hammering a screwdriver RJ? Hmm
Not on my carbon steer-tubed bike fork thanks though
1:24 for installation
man, you are the MAN! 👍🏽
Thanks its work 😂
Yeah all this method did was shred the rubber on my crown race.
i used a old thermos. use what you got.