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Swapping forks


stefan43's picture

By stefan43 - Posted on 03 November 2011

Hi guys, need your advice again.
My trusted old Reba Team has packed it in and with 2 big races (Fling and Awaba) coming up I can't wait for the replacement/massive upgrade fork to arrive. Now, my lovely wife has agreed to lend me her Fox RL 32 from her commuter bike, but I need to put the Reba on her bike until then (still works as a rigid in lockout mode)
To get to the point - do I need to swap the crown races over (which I believe you need a fancy tool for) or is this a pretty straight forward operation?
The headset on the Reba is a semirecessed FSA ACB, and the Fox is on a Cane Creek S3...
I'm familiar with the headset on the Reba as I put it in myself but no idea what sits above the Fox
any help would be much appreciated.
Thanks

HeezaGeeza's picture

In the past I used a very sharp chisel and gently tapped around the crown race in a circle until it raised enough to leverage it off. Park Tools have a very expensive crown race puller, but I actually bought a Pedro version that does exactly the same job for about $30. Also got a complete headset removal and installation set for about $50 on eBay a while ago which is just a large bolt thread, some spacers and bolts.

Now, I'm sure they're not much use to you. If you're near the Inner West, you're welcome to use mine. If not, take it to your LBC if you have a good relationship - they'll either do it for free or a nominal charge. All options are cheaper than buying the tool.

If you're north shore, I'll probably be hitting the Dam early afternoon tomorrow and could meet you there with your fork if that helps also.

HeezaGeeza's picture

Sorry, to answer your question the Reba has a crown race very similar, but not identical to the Fox.

VTSS350's picture

I use a 400mm long piece of 15mm dowel to tap the crown race off. Being timber you cant damage the fork, race or steerer.

It works well and most people will have something like this sitting around.

stefan43's picture

.. and thank you all for your input. made an impulse purchase on the weekend and now have everything ready to put my new forks on.
just couldn't bring myself to force the crown race and the star nut onto the carbon steerer tube. so will be off to the LBS tomorrow morning to let the professionals (with the proper tools) handle that bit and everything should be up and running tomorrow night Smiling
that is, if i can get the bloody supersonic conti race king to seal, but that is probably worth a new thread by itself.
will try to upload some pics of my new baby..
thanks
S

stefan43's picture

how do you upload photos? anyway, here's a link instead:

http://www.dtswiss.com/Products/Suspension/DT-Sw...

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