When you know how to do something, it always seems simple and obvious. When you don’t know how, most things are not simple and obvious.
Exactly. And it is where you draw the line between having a go or not. I have always done my own bikes since I was around 7 (had a car mechanic father so a lot of tools and advice/assistance when very young). However, I don't tend to do my own cars as don't have the tools or the trust on myself to do it properly. The amount of times I would use any specific tool on a car are so small it would never recoup the price whereas I am forever messing around building up bikes so makes sense to have some tools yet still I don't buy thing like headset presses, SFN installers and the like.
I happily do all my own maintenance, but the last fork swap I did was definitely not easy due to needing to swap the crown race. Carbon forks with no lip to get any purchase on. Going at it with a screwdriver would definitely have gouged the forks. Took two box knives, a hammer and a lot of patience. Refitting was only easy because I happen to have some plastic tube of exactly the right size and a heat gun.
One of my other bikes has the lower bearing press fit onto both the frame and the fork. Removal requires smacking the (carbon) steerer firmly and also having a plan for what happens when the fork does come loose and leaves the frame at high speed.
So yeah, if you've got a split crown race, and loose-fit cartridge bearings, understand how to fit a SFN (and know that you mustn't in a carbon steerer), the steerer is the right length or you know how to measure and cut it, and the brake mounts are the same then yes, swapping forks is a doddle.
Otherwise there is plenty of scope for screwing it up and it might just be worth paying someone with some experience.
if you’ve got a split crown race,
All "crown races" are split if you have a hacksaw.
Very true, but converting to split with a hacksaw before removing it probably won't help the goal of not damaging the forks.
if you’ve got a split crown race,
All “crown races” are split if you have a hacksaw.
I don't get this I have seen it said a load of times on here but surely it only works with a cartridge bearing headset. With a headset where the crown race is actually the bearing race ie one with loose balls then surely you end up with notchy steering as the bearings drop into the cut you have made. Or am I missing something?
Hence using quotes - what most folk are calling a crown race isn't one and I can't think of a single instance when I've had a problem removing an actual crown race from a steerer (YMMV)
what most folk are calling a crown race isn’t one and I can’t think of a single instance when I’ve had a problem removing an actual crown race from a steerer
What is it called then?
I've seen plenty that were a PITA to remove.
in a cartridge bearing headset its not a part of the bearing race at all - its just a spacer / locating wedge / something diffferent
Piece of cake to do yourself, it's really at the beginners level of bike maintenance.
As with everything, if you're really not sure then Youtube is your friend.
I've never seen them called anything other than a crown race even though they're not technically a race.
Not pisstaking but i’m really not understanding how it can be considered difficult?
and
Fit SFN
Fit Fork, check steerer, mark, remove and cut
It just got made more difficult by fitting the SFN before cutting to length.....
in a cartridge bearing headset its not a part of the bearing race at all – its just a spacer / locating wedge / something diffferent
Wait till you hear about clipless pedals 😉
People have varied levels of dexterity and ability to fix things. People have different levels of inclinations to even try or simply different amounts of spare time to do this and they might value their time and are prepared to pay someone to save them either the time or the hassle or the risk of cocking things up. For some people £50 is nothing or at least very good value.
Pretending not to understand the above is bizarre, at best. I do most of my bike fixing as I enjoy it, however painful it is occasi6naly but I wouldn't dream of judging others who make different choices.
Hi, OP here, thanks to everyone for the.. lively discussion. For the record, the mechanic in the LBS consulted a list of fixed prices hanging on the wall, and the cost is €25 (I am in Spain right now). Seems reasonable to me.
Where in Spain? I have all the correct tools and know how so can help if you want. I won't charge much either 😁
so this came in today for a "fix", they say a picture paints a thousand words
€25. Ah ah. Suddenly it puts a different complexion on the thread. Surely at that money no one is going to argue that you're better offer using a LBS if you don't have the time/skill/tools.