Removing a crown race

[brockd15]

I've done it before using a thin screwdriver, a razor blade, and a rubber mallet. I was about to pick up the Nashbar tool but the reviews scared me off. Aside from buying the Park tool (or similar) or going to the LBS, anybody have other methods or suggestions?

[Dead Man]

I've had some (mis)adventures pulling crown races recently.

I made a tool from 1" PVC pipe.... sawed off a piece at a 45 degree angle, cut a relief slit at the fat end, heated it up and flattened it out.... a little finish work with a sharp utility knife netted me a hard plastic wedge that gets both sides at the same time. Chuck fork up in the work stand, give taps/whacks as needed until the race pops off. Same as having a screwdriver on both sides, and without the marring.

[Dead Man]

I haven't used an actual race puller... but I've heard mostly negative reports, and it's a pretty expensive tool to not work very well. All hearsay, though.

[brockd15]

Originally Posted by The B

I've had some (mis)adventures pulling crown races recently.

I made a tool from 1" PVC pipe.... sawed off a piece at a 45 degree angle, cut a relief slit at the fat end, heated it up and flattened it out.... a little finish work with a sharp utility knife netted me a hard plastic wedge that gets both sides at the same time. Chuck fork up in the work stand, give taps/whacks as needed until the race pops off. Same as having a screwdriver on both sides, and without the marring.

Happen to have a picture of this thing? I'm having a hard time visualizing it.

[zmudshark]

I just bought the new, improved Park tool from CC, it hasn't arrived yet, but best price I've seen. I'm hoping it's one and done. I've tried various home brews, and they were all severely lacking, as was the Nashbar tool.

I figure this is pretty close to QBP prices (correct me if I'm wrong).

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/park-...wn-race-puller

[cnighbor1]

Removing a crown race
for race on fork I use a piece of hardwood with a sharp edge. I place steerer column on a soft piece of wood. I put hardwood edge against crown and than with a hammer I tap the wood I work slowly side to side. I just took one off the Caylor I just purchased

[Louis]

Interesting - they've gone from two "halves" to three "fingers."

Mine is the old-style CRP-1.

[victoryfactory]

The point of all these specialty tools is, of course, to remove the
the thing without damaging it or the fork. This can be done with the
right shaped single wedge and mallet safely if you go slowly and gently
and move all around the steerer. I grind a cheap screwdriver to the
sharpness I need for the particular race and fork I'm working on.

[oldpotatoe]

Originally Posted by The B

I haven't used an actual race puller... but I've heard mostly negative reports, and it's a pretty expensive tool to not work very well. All hearsay, though.

The park shop level pullers work very well, used the 2 pronged one maybe 200 times....never failed to get it off and didn't goon the race up, even aluminum ones.

[dustyrider]

This is one job I love to visit the lbs for. Bring a sixer just before closing and talk bikes!

[pdmtong]

why not just leave it on? in future thats what I will do even if selling...no mess with the paint, pretty much everyone uses a king and if they dont, they can have it pulled on their end.

[Dead Man]

Originally Posted by brockd15

Happen to have a picture of this thing? I'm having a hard time visualizing it.

I'll post a pic when I get home in a bit. It'll make sense when you see it.. Crude looking device, but effective.

[buldogge]

That's a good price John!

-Mark in St. Louis

Originally Posted by zmudshark

I just bought the new, improved Park tool from CC, it hasn't arrived yet, but best price I've seen. I'm hoping it's one and done. I've tried various home brews, and they were all severely lacking, as was the Nashbar tool.

I figure this is pretty close to QBP prices (correct me if I'm wrong).

http://www.coloradocyclist.com/park-...wn-race-puller

[Llewellyn]

Just buy a bearing splitter off of Ebay. Cheap as chips and works fine IME

[lhuerta]

Originally Posted by brockd15

I was about to pick up the Nashbar tool but the reviews scared me off.

The Nashbar-version tool works just fine if you use it correctly. Keep in mind that most people posting reviews on Nashbar are the folks who complain about a medium size Castelli jersey being "non-american" size and also the ones who complain that they have to pump up their tires before every ride and can't figure out why they get flats.