[Closed] Cutting Crown Races?

If the bearings are cartridge, do it and it is no problem at all.

I always do it before fitting a headset to a new fork. Because, well, it's better to do the job right.

only issue will be if, because it's 'grip' isn't as high that the crown race subsequently spins on the steerer/crown and damages

More likely with worn/damaged bearings binding, imo, so I'd keep an eye on them (I'd keep an eye on them anyway, I didn't get great life out of my smoothie headset).

Wait, you're not talking about cutting the race seat, you're talking about cutting a slot in the crown race that's not meant to be there? In that case, no - fit the thing properly, don't cut it in half to make it fit easier.

I've split any crown race i've had that wasn't split in the first place, and they have been fine for years. When the stem cap is tightened up there is no movement where there shouldn't be, and your bearings would have to be completely shagged to make the crown race spin, as it is still a pretty tight fit once split (needs to be spread to seat fully).

Sure, you can bodge things and usually they're fine - but why are you bodging them? To save a bit of work when fitting them?

I guess it's one of those things - if you do it to your own headset it's fine. If I did it to a customer's headset, they'd be rightly annoyed that I was lazy and didn't do the job properly.

fair point ben - yes the crown race as the title states

Well, the choice is yours OP. A bodge is only a bodge if it lacks thought and is a temporary fix - but cutting a crown race isn't like this. There is an element of easier fitting as a reason for doing it, but there is no real down side to doing so, other than perhaps a perception from other people that you may not be doing a 'proper' job. Which is fine, both approaches are opinion, there's no actual difference in technical performance...

there is a difference because it will be looser

[i]there is no real down side to doing so[/i]

as rob jackson says, the crown race is designed to be an interference fit, by cutting one designed not to be it will be looser. Those 'pre cut' are designed differently and 'spread' when fitted to provide a tighter 'grip' on the steerer - you won;t get this cutting a normal one.

All the ones I have cut have needed spreading and are certainly tight enough once seated, and once tightened. I always test it by seating the bearing on it and giving it a spin. But sounds like you have been convinced the other way anyhow...so get ye a crown race setter or to your lbs!

I've done this to every sealed bearing headset I run - no issues at all.

It means there's no damage on removal too (and no daft tool required for what is the worst designed part of a bike left IMO).

wwaswas - Member
only issue will be if, because it's 'grip' isn't as high that the crown race subsequently spins on the steerer/crown

The forces are too high for this to happen.

I always split them. Not a bodge IMHO but a legitimate technique, as valid as any other method.