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Just bought some Rebas to complement the rigids on my Singular Swift. I'd like to swap them depending on trails: rigids for smoother routes, rebas on the gnarlier stuff.
Don't expect to swap that frequently - but equally don't fancy trip to LBS every time.
Am assuming the limiting factor is the bottom bearing cup. Thinking that (a) swapping it really needs proper tools and (b) doing so regularly isn't a good idea.
Is it possible/sensible to get another bottom cup so there's one permanently on each fork? Is it a good idea? Any other suggestions/gotchas?
Cheers.
You are correct - If you can get a second crown race for your headset swapping forks over is easy.
Depends on your headset how easy getting the second crown race is.
I run a Reba and a rigid fork on my Karate Monkey and have a crown race on each steerer. Do that and it's a nice quick job with allen keys only.
I sometimes swap my floats over from my FS to my HT. I have a Hope headset fitted to both bikes for just this reason. Same crown race, so its just a case of undoing the stem bolts, and the disc caliper and you're away. Ten minutes tops to do it.
Thanks folks, off to source 2nd crown race...
I've done this for the last few years. Rigid in winter, springy in summer.
The only bit that goes on the fork is the crown race. You'll probably need to rejig spacers and brakes but that is a quick job and can be done during install.
I use a split crown race as it can be removed and installed with minimal fuss. Normally by hand but occasionally with a bit of encouragement. If your headset is cartridge you would get away with just curring the crown race to split it and then filing it down to be neat. Done this on the last 2 and they are fine.
@jonba: think your metalwork skills a bit better than mine!
2nd Hope crown race £3.99 on CRC with free p&p. Can't complain at that - and more in line with my skills 😮
If you can't find a second crown race, 'some' people don't find they have any problems by DIY'ing their own split crown race for easy insertion/removal
DIY'ing their own split crown race for easy insertion/removal
use a dremel through the normal race?
I split all my crown races on general principles, makes fitting and removing a doddle and there's no downside as long as it's under a cartridge bearing. Only complicated if it has an integrated seal (I succesfully cut an FSA one without hurting the seal but it was time consuming)
I've done this a lot in the past - from memory, a King crown race comes to about four quid, as did the Cane Creek S2 on the rigid 29er forks in my garage that aren't on the Hummingbird at the moment. The Hope split race makes things very easy indeed, by the way - but for four quid, I'd keep your existing headset and buy a spare race and have it fitted by a shop / the right tools.