So need to fit my new headset I was a bit stuck as to how to remove the crown race. The Rockshox I had originally had a hadn’t dimple to get a flat bladed screwdriver under but my Fox don’t.

Not wish to spend a fortune on a specialist tool and failing to get even a narrow bladed flat screwdriver in without risking damage to (the finish at least) of the fork crown I spotted in my toolbox a nice wood chisel.

Perfect, flat bottomed with a nice wedge shape going to a very fine edge – a gentle (and I mean gentle – don’t want to risk damage to the fork) tap with a rubber mallet a couple of times and off she comes.

Completely f***ed the edge on the chisel but hey, I’got a whetstone and know how to hone…

Usual caveats, try this yourself and you may damage the fork crown / steerer, you may die, cause the world to end or the internet to stop working.

Worked a treat for me though…

Any one else got a tool bodge they wish to share?

Cheers

Danny B

I always use a stanley knife blade (out of the knife) to free crown races.

I always use a stanley knife blade (out of the knife) to free crown races

Me too

I did think of that but didn’t have one to hand. Must invest in a pack – cheaper than buggering up a £20 chisel…

Cheers

Danny B

Old Stanley blades work great – if it’s a tight one, you can keep adding more to the stack and slowly push off the crown race.

+1 for the stanley knife blade. Only needs to be used gently to give just enough clearance gap

I’ve got an old butter knife that I use to start tricky ones off- you’d think it’d work less well as it lacks a sharp edge but it’s never failed me.

Wish I knew about the stanley blade thing before I bought the proper tool

if the new race is a sealed bearing job, make a cut using a dremel = instant split crown race for easy removal next time

Old knife and a hammer are the old favourites of many bike shops I’ve worked in.

Not wish to spend a fortune on a specialist tool

I think £18 for a tool is worth to avoid the possibility of bodging it.

I use Hope headsets, they last for years and when you do need to remove the crown race it comes off with fingers as its split. Simples 😉

What TurnerGuy said. I’ve fudged it for years with old chisels and what-have-you but last Christmas brought me a proper tool and what a pleasure it is to use.

I now always cut the crown race with a hacksaw before installing, so it comes off nice and easy.

Assuming your using cartridge bearings then it isn’t actually a “race” as such, just a cone to centralise the bearing so the cut doesn’t affect the bearings. Once its all done up tight, the bearing holds it in place.