So hope crown races come with a split in them, which makes them super easy to both for and remove. The FSA orbit on my reign doesnt, so is a pain to install and remove. What are the stw engineering department opinions on cutting a slit in it to allow easy fitting? In theory it shouldn’t make any difference i don’t think, but in real world situation…?

S’fine.

Just cut the dam thing, it makes no difference to how it performs/works etc.

i cut all of mine. they are years old.

+1, I’ve been riding 2 bikes with “cut” crown races for over 2 years, no issues.

Some folks say no, it gives the bike bad feng shui or something. But I cut mine, no reason not to IMO.

The first Orbit MX I bought came with a split race, the rest didn’t. All of them got cut with a junior hacksaw, all are still fine.

Routinely cut all of mine with a hacksaw, then tidy the edges with a file. All work well for years, saves bashing them on with a pole too.