I can get the crown race nearly set..so darn close...but cant get it to go down the last about 1/2 mm.
Will it cause any damage riding the bike like that?
When trail gunk gets in that gap, will it cause long term damage?
It's a 1 1/8 straight steerer tube, in case that is relevant info.
Thanks all
Is it a cartridge bearing headset?
Couple of options
1/ bit of plumbing waste pipe over the steerer and a mallet and knock it on, unless there's something under it it'll go.
You could also drop it in boiling water first, or even the oven to expand it.
2/ Cut it so it has a split. Many headsets come with split races anyway, you can do it with a hacksaw carefully. Put the split at the front away from the spray up, job done
If it's cartridge bearing just cut it
My Cane Creek 40 was tight as anything, it took a fat bit of metal pipe to set it.
Most likely it would pop in in your first ride anyway.
I'd be very surprised if it genuinely won't fit. I think you need to hit it harder.
Maybe my feeble arms, but I've been hitting the darn thing for ages 🙂
Warming it up is a neat idea, I hadn't thought of that I'll give that a try now...if I can get it off
Warming it has pretty much done the trick. I can feel a really small gap, enough to get a fingernail into..but it don't do that often when out riding 🙂
Small enough for me to pretend it's not there
Thank you for the quick advice
That would bug the hell out of me, I've been known to swap to an alloy split crown race from another brand, making sure they share the same bearing inner angle and height. It usually works a treat.
Get yourself a feeler gauge from screwfix for £3, a good toolbox addition to see if the gap is even and to see if there's any obstruction.
Get yourself a feeler gauge from screwfix
Never heard of those, thanks, good idea
also good for spacing disc brake pads
I suspect once you get weight onto it and rattle over a few bumps it will set properly
Get yourself a feeler gauge from screwfix.
Never heard of those, thanks, good idea
What did you use, back in the day, for setting a spark plug gap? 😆
thumbnail for spark plug gaps 🙂
As a couple have said, it'll likely set itself when ridden. Obviously take a multitool with you to adjust the headset if necessary, which is likely.
What did you use, back in the day, for setting a spark plug gap?
probably the same as for fitting a crown race - rubber mallet, screwdriver, electrical tape and fingernail 🙂 🙂
Go ride it, it'll settle, then re-tighten your headset and stem.
Did it come with the headset? 😀
Are you totally sure the race or fork crown doesn't have a raised central section that would make it appear that there is a gap?
Feeler gauge would tell you, or a piece of paper/acetate if you're careful.
Go ride it, if the headset loosens up, re-tighten in, job done.
I had an issue a while back where the steerer tube had small imperfection that stopped the race fully settling. Can you check there's no bump or raised bit on the tube?