DIY Crown Race Removal & Install - No Special Tools, Screwdriver, or Damage!

[@Tkolbo_]

HEY!!! WEAR SAFETY GLASSES WITH THIS METHOD! Hitting razor blades with a hammer has the potential to cause the blades to fragment and cause pieces to fly, so play it smart. Gloves and goggles!

[@OtesOtesOtes]

I forgot gloves & goggles so I died

[@CM-1723]

Instead of using pvc for install , can you not just offer the forks up to the headset then then push down on the front of the frame , then will tightening it all up not just pull it all together?

[@Tkolbo_]

@@CM-1723 so you may not be able to produce enough force to get the crow race to set properly if you try to press it with the frame and headset trick. The only time I tried this (many many years ago) the star but actually pulled through the fork instead. I think you’ll save headaches just finding a way to press it on before putting it in the bike. Hope that makes sense, thanks!

[@Tkolbo_]

@@OtesOtesOtes RIP

[@OtesOtesOtes]

@@Tkolbo_ I got better

[@Chunai143]

Dude! Absolute Genius. Worked like a charm. You saved me from what would have been a bad night's sleep. Tried like hell to get the Crown Race off to no avail. Checked KZbin...found your video and at 11pm tried your method and took less than 5 minutes. Can't thank you enough. Love your style! Great video.

[@Tkolbo_]

That’s great! Glad the hack worked well for you and saved your sanity a bit! Thank you so much for watching and letting me know about your success! Glad you enjoy my style!

[@mikekrelik4980]

A guy, a park stand, a garage door and a great hack! Thanks for posting this 👍👍👍👍

[@Tkolbo_]

Ha thanks for watching it!

[@rickyham2991]

Fantastic tip, it worked perfectly for me. I didn't have gloves or glasses so i did it blindfolded with my hands behind my back.... and it still worked. Thanks so much for posting this video. I'm off to try out my new forks now. Ride Safe.

[@VanWarren]

This is the ultimate video. I popped a crown race I had obsessed over for a month off with two box cutter blades with zero damage. Thanks man!

[@NonLegitNation2]

this 100% works. been doing this for years except only using one razor blade and a thin blade flathead screwdriver. I DO highly recommend throwing 2 layers of gorilla tape on the top part of the razor blade that you are banging on, that way it adds a little bit of cushion which helps prevent the razor blade from potentially shattering when you hit it. For even more added protection put a piece of gorilla tape on the hammer head. I say specifically gorilla tape because it's thicker then normal duct tape and it sticks really well. Luckily the crown race I have for my current fork is the easy to install/remove type with a slit in it.

[@simonhuddlestone5766]

Brilliant idea. Just removed a crown race in 10 mins with 3 blades and a mallet. No stress, worked a treat. Thank you!

[@Tkolbo_]

Yes! Glad to hear it!!

[@declanogorman9908]

Give this man a medal

[@Jonathan-hq8od]

Awesome idea with the multiple blades going around. Thanks for the tip! Your video was fun.

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it! Hope you were able to use the hack!

[@Ranger_k16]

THANK YOU SO MUCH! I was about to have to take the day off and drive 2 hours to the closest shop. This nifty trick worked flawlessly 🙌

[@Tkolbo_]

So glad it worked out for you!

[@killingsleep]

Thanks dude, this is going to help me a lot. And horns up for the METAL !

[@Tkolbo_]

Dope! Glad you found it helpful! And hell yeah Metal is so rad! \m/

[@lexsumiify]

I was just about to buy a crown removal tool, and a crown race setting tool. You just saved me $60. Thanks!

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad to help! Always happy to help someone save a few bucks!

[@peterhanson6892]

Worked like a charm. I used 12 utility knife blades and then a small pry bar to move it the rest of the way. The PVC and mallet worked for seating the crown race, as well. Thanks for the instructions!

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad to hear it worked well for you! Thanks for watching!

[@Foxtrottangoabc]

Just used the Stanley knife blade method you demonstrated on a rusty old 2014 crown and it worked a treat , manythanks 👍🙂

[@g4l_amreen]

dude , the perfect tutorial im searching for months now , i really appreciate that you make a DIY video

[@Tkolbo_]

No problem man, I'm glad you found it! Hope it worked well for you! Thanks for watching.

[@MrChrismeenan]

Dude !! It worked !!! Headset and crowne ace totally rusted and fused together on the fork. Your technique worked a treat ! Saved my lovely Scott r2 forks :)

[@Tkolbo_]

That’s awesome! I’m glad you were able to salvage your forks! Thanks for letting me know and thanks for watching.

[@p504504]

shreds, rides, lifts, what a dude... subscribed!!!!

[@Tkolbo_]

Hey! Thanks a ton man, I really appreciate it! Nothing better than metal, guitars, bikes, and pumping iron!

[@fungchewy5729]

Thank you! I was almost gonna give up on trying to take off the crown race but then I went to the hardware store and got to hammering in some razor blades. Took me a while but I got it off and put it on my new fork 👍👍

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome! Glad it worked out for you! It may take some time but it can be so wallet friendly! Thanks for watching.

[@jasonbrown467]

thanks, i had no idea how that thing came apart, i was able to use a hammer and a "painters knife" to walk mine back and forth, no scratches or marks. thanks again!!

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome! Glad you were able to modify this technique to work for you!

[@jjkjjk1073]

Thanks for the tip! Saved me a bunch of headaches trying to get the crown race off a 20 year old fork

[@brianbarto8295]

same!

[@gavinperkins4887]

Brilliant hack just installed my new forks used this method to remove & refit the crown race works a treat thanks for posting.

[@Tkolbo_]

So glad to hear it worked out for you and helped get your fork installed! Thanks for watching!

[@michaelinglis567]

I looked this video up after mtb'ing for a few years today. But i was really amused by the intro since ive been playing guitar my whole life nearly and drums for about 7 years as well. I build tube amps, ss amps (from scratch as well as mods etc) and guitar pedals as well (so so so many pedals lol) and ive restored a vintage tube radio receiver also. Anyways point being its cool to see another biking hobbyist who is also a musician. Very cool idea to use your musical chops to do an intro! A few ;years ago i built a power supply for my seven string guitar with actives (fishman fluence moderns) that allows me to not need 9v batteries anymore. The power supply connects to the first pedal in my chain (a TS9 right now) and from there it goes to the TS9 input jack that i made a TRS jack so i can feed the power to the ring connection and thats how the power gets to the pickups (through a trs cable to the guitars input jack which is also TRS and from the guitar jack ring connection to the pickups power) so its plug and play just like with my passive pup guitars. The power supply is also variable from .5v-30v as long as its getting an input voltage of anywhere from 5v -30v d.c. I mentioned that cause i despise 9v batteries and I imagine you likely use actives in at least one guitar. I also wired the FF moderns for every possible option and its all toggleable from the guitars controls (minus HF tilt which is a slider switch i added in the control cavity). Anyways thats enough rambling.

[@Tkolbo_]

Hell yes! That’s sick! I’ve built a few guitars and did fishman Keith merrows in one. But currently I’m down to only one guitar with actives. The rest are passive pups. That’s brilliant using the ring connection to create a power source from your pedal! I would like to try my hand at building amps and pedals. You ever do an HM2 clone of any sort?!?

[@michaelinglis567]

@@Tkolbo_ Surprisingly no lol but it's absolutely doable and I'd love to if I could ever find the time. There are plenty schematics available and even a few vero layouts which would be easier for a first time builder. I would absolutely love to build an HM2 though especially since Boss started using surface mount components (SMD, super small components which I can and have often worked with but are a PITA compared to typical through hole components) in their current pedals. One thing you'll realize really quick if you start building is how fast your backlog of projects you want to build will grow lol. If you ever really are serious about building and have questions id be happy to help. And I highly recommend it, it gives you much more control over you sound when you can tailor your pedals and amps to the sound in your head. Not to mention the money you'll save. My last amp build was a Fender Champ clone that I modded to use either a 6V6 in the output section like an actual Champ or an EL84 thats selected with a switch on the front panel (among other mods). Point being it cost me less than $400 to build and Fender charges about $1,200 last time I checked lol. On another note your video was exactly what I was looking for. I'm waiting on parts but once they get here I'll be using the razor method for sure. I already have a ton on hand that I use as scrapers for wood working and for drop fills etc. Thanks for posting the video brother!

[@TheJones_AZ]

Did this over the weekend and it worked great. Thanks for sharing!

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad it worked out well for you! Thanks for watching!

[@paulrush7012]

Thanks mate.just used your method and now I can get to work Monday, u the man.

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome! I am glad you found this useful! Thanks a ton for watching and good luck with your project.

[@bauke-LV426]

Ingenious! "thank you so much for watching"? Thank _you_ for sharing, that was very resourceful

[@Tkolbo_]

You are so welcome! Do enough garage tinkering you figure out how to make things work.

[@philippelalemant7960]

Thanks for this video. I came short on the amount of blades I had around but ended up using every flat bit of metal stacked between the blades and used a flat screwdriver to lift the crown at the very end. Worked just fine 😅

[@rickdeckard6597]

Thanks you and KZbin recommandations to teach me this trick!!

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks for watching and glad it was helpful

[@BrianDinsley]

Absolutely bloody brilliant! Worked like a charm. Thank you!!

[@RogerRabbitt]

Worked flawlessly. Just used 2 blades all the way around and then had enough space for a flathead to pry from the bottom. Initially had no space for the flathead so this worked great

[@austinXonXfire]

BRUHHHH I’m watching this vid and all I got to was your intro and as soon as you started playing metal I was like “ohh my goddd who is this guy?? I’m subscribing RIGHT NOW”. Okay now back to the actual video.

[@Tkolbo_]

So glad I could pull you in with the Metal!! I include a lot more metal in other videos on my channel! Thanks for watching and subscribing

[@elslanedog1264]

This video was just what I was looking for. Awesome method.

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad you found it helpful!!! Thanks for watching!

[@dragonfleuleu9692]

Thank god your video popped up and ACTUALLY WORKED!..you saved me money and kicking the guys ass who didn’t mention the stuck race!

[@Tkolbo_]

Well I’m glad this was able to save you some money and keep you from getting charged with assault! Thanks for watching!

[@tylervickers2519]

No trip to the hardware store. Had all of it in my garage. Thanks!

[@Tkolbo_]

Rad! That’s even better! Glad the video and hack was helpful!

[@alldilatapir]

This is awesome and helpful! Thank you for posting this.

[@TheSaucyMTBr]

Nice hack and sweet riff. Thank you!

[@christophermoody50]

This is the grestest and most useful youtube video of all time.

[@paulgreen2303]

This worked perfectly for me. Thanks for the genius idea.

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@sigmann66]

Awesome! Def better than hammering with screw driver. Thx mate!

[@vernonhairston5840]

Wow! You saved me from a massive amount of frustration. Thank you so much!

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome glad to hear it!!

[@jasonobrien3131]

Great tip, worked perfectly.

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome! Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@thrillburn79]

Thanks so much for this. Worked like a charm. My crown race was really on there so I had to heat it up with a blow torch a little before it would move. True, I could have taken it to the bike shop but I'm stubborn and this was the last thing to replace before I could say I've put together an entire bike myself.

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome! Glad it worked and that you were able to assemble your bike all yourself!

[@geararellanoii]

A femur repair stand is what a metal man should have. Good job!

[@Tkolbo_]

The question is...is it a stand to repair a femur, or a stand made of human femurs?!?

[@mocustoms7823]

Nicely done! Thanks for taking the time to share 🤜🏻🤛🏻

[@Tkolbo_]

You bet! Glad you found it helpful!

[@tiago_oliveira96]

Hey man thank you so much for this video! I managed to change my forks barely with any tools, I posted a video aswell to how I did it and I gave you credit and the link to this video in my description! Have a good day and happy rides 👊🏼

[@Tkolbo_]

I’m so glad you found it helpful! I subscribed to your channel. I don’t see any videos other than your shorts video about the new fork, but no install! That fox fork will be an awesome upgrade on your bike.

[@tiago_oliveira96]

@@Tkolbo_ thank you so much, it really gave me the idea and motivation to do it with all I had. You can see it now in my channel but for some reason it only shows in 360p haha

[@oogielee5341]

Very helpful! Thank you! You saved me from an afternoon of headaches!

[@Tkolbo_]

So glad to hear that man! I’m glad I was able to keep your head, ache free! Thanks for watching.

[@oogielee5341]

@@Tkolbo_ For real! I was putting off this install for my son's bike because I knew those tapered bearings would be a problem. This video was clutch! Thanks for sharing!

[@Tkolbo_]

@@oogielee5341 hell yeah! You are so welcome! Hope you and your son enjoy the ride!

[@mlb6d9]

Nicely done - I was just about to buy some special tool I'll use once every 5 yrs, but will do this instead. I was always worried about warping the race more than anything...

[@astromann7449]

Good idea and i'll add something: Its best to put the blades or prying tool on the sides vs front and back. Since the front and back of the fork tube / crown area receive most riding forces, its best to not mar these up at all and keep them as true as possible. On the sides- just carefull with the fork tops. Of you have a loose crown race from a marred tube, locktite (Permatex now) bearing retainer "green" will help.

[@Tkolbo_]

That’s a very good point! I try not to make contact with the blade and steerer tube to avoid marring, but I don’t think I mentioned that nor am I probably that accurate haha. Thank you for the tip, I really appreciate it! I definitely worry that I, personally, would smack the crap out of my dials, but again that comes down to my terrible accuracy hahaha!

[@akairborne]

Well shit. Wish i read this comment earlier

[@kstonurai9350]

The intro video had all of my favourite things so i hit subscribe ✌🖤

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome thank you!! Glad I peaked your interest!

[@55PlusCycling]

Thanks for the tip I would have never thought of this trick

[@Tkolbo_]

It’s a pretty slick trick! I always hated the screwdriver method

[@HB-yq8gy]

Awesome video just what I was looking for thanks!

[@Tkolbo_]

Rad! Glad to hear it!

[@babayega1717]

Edward Scissor hands the bike mechanic :D:D:D Cool video bro, thank you for your help!

[@scottmeredith4722]

Friggin' brilliant! You are the man. I love to support the local shops, but sometimes you just need to take things into your own hands. One thing I might add is to add a wee bit o' grease to the bottom of the steerer tube to help the race slide on. And yes, always safety first. Especially when "hitting razor blades with a hammer"! Shred on!

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks for watching and glad you appreciate the hack! A bit of grease would definitely take this hack to the next level! Wear your gloves and glasses!

[@fabiopunk1661]

The clever bit here is to leave the blade in place, and ADD another on the opposite side. Then, ADD a blade on top of the first, and so on. Smart! I actually had tried with the same Stantley blades but just used one like the "screwdriver method". It did not work very well. Thanks for the tip!

[@Tkolbo_]

Yeah, definitely need to stack em up! I'm glad you found this helpful and I appreciate you watching and commenting!

[@offdaystv]

Subscribed the second I saw metal guitar and mountain bikes!

[@davidkan5469]

Tks for making it so easy to remove...

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks for watching!

[@londonpickering8675]

Oddly satisfying. Thanks for posting.

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks a ton for watching, glad you found it satisfying!

[@ridindirt]

I like it dude! Never seen the razor blades used before, good one 👊🏻

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks dude! It's a handy little trick!

[@KeanuSwayze]

Great tips, Travis! This video helped me install a particularly tight fitting Chris King headset. Picked up some PVC in a couple of sizes. I used a 1-foot section of PVC and rubber mallet to install the top bearing cover, too.

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad you found this helpful! That top bearing cover must have had ridiculously tight tolerances if you needed to "set" it too. Thanks for watching and letting me know how it worked out for you!

[@eduardogasca9976]

Great tip! It worked like a charm in two old 1 1/8" carbon forks. Wear your gloves to prevent any accident with the razorblades!

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad to hear it worked well for you! Definitely safety first!

[@jdpancoast1790]

I did it with no gloves and I’m fine

[@cathaloriordan9709]

If you stack the blades from the bottom i.e. insert the first one and then insert subsequent blades under the initial blade, you get much easier separation of the crown race.

[@StuMunro]

Great tip using the stanley knife (not razor) blades, I even had some already. Thanks worked a treat.

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad to hear it! Awesome!

[@jbw5485]

Sick intro!!! 🤘🏼🤘🏼 Pretty frickin genius sir. 🤘🏼

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks man! I appreciate it! I’ve used this technique several times with nothing but luck and glad others are as well!

[@MTNMAX88]

Awesome video and tips. Thank you 🙏

[@Tkolbo_]

Thank you! Glad it worked out for you!

[@reyguarinnjbchannel5850]

nice tips for DIY crown race removal & install

[@Tkolbo_]

Thank you!

[@isaiahrichards9319]

Thank you so much! And yeah definitely wear safetys I almost took my eye out

[@Tkolbo_]

Glasses are a must for sure! Glad you still have two eyes!

[@Adam-ev7vb]

This works a charm. Thank you!

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad it helped!

[@1blxk_john]

Very helpful!

[@pinobiscotto]

Thums up for the intro! Sick!

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks!!

[@neverenoughtcg9188]

instant likes for the metal. thank you

[@Tkolbo_]

Metal is the way! Thanks for watching!

[@tom.mcf.]

I tried this and it worked. The only thing I did differently was once I had 2 blades stacked I but the third blade in between them. It slide in a lot easier than trying on top or the bottom. And continued add blades like that.

[@keithforbes8482]

Thx for saving the day Bro!!

[@Tkolbo_]

No problem! Thanks for watching! Glad it helped ya out!

[@FrugalFitDad]

Came off in 2 minutes. Awesome hack.

[@Tkolbo_]

Rad! Glad it worked out well for you!

[@locohefe]

Exactly the hack I was looking for !

[@Tkolbo_]

So glad you found it and it was helpful!

[@the-ace-of-spades]

Gracias por el truquito. Thanks for the tip

[@Tkolbo_]

De Nada! Thank you for watching and glad it was helpful!

[@joshc5658]

I always use a screwdriver with the utmost care. Great tip!

[@Tkolbo_]

I find this way allows you to be a little less careful which I enjoy...I'm a master of beating the hell out of my fork with a screwdriver...so I gave up on that life lol

[@duroxkilo]

how to remove a crown race between two ferns :} thanks for the tips, it worked like a charm. wish you all the best

[@Tkolbo_]

Hahahaha wish I were funny enough to have a show like that! Glad it worked well for you, thanks for watching and commenting!

[@duroxkilo]

@@Tkolbo_ a little show like that has a team or writers and then another team of revisionists so let's not be too hard on ourselves :} or let's, i mean we're not weak like that

[@MinnesotaMTB_]

This is GREAT! Now when I need to do this I know how to DIY it! Thanks for this tip!!

[@Tkolbo_]

Absolutely man! Are you planning on needing to do this in the near future?

[@MinnesotaMTB_]

@@Tkolbo_ Yeah probably this spring. Lots of upkeep on my bike this coming year. I need a service on my fox x2 which looks quite complicated...not gonna DIY that lol

[@Tkolbo_]

@@MinnesotaMTB_ no you don’t want to DIY it. I’ve rebuilt a couple, but was working at a shop that was fox certified and even with the proper tools it sucked haha. Send er off! I was hoping you were gonna say you have a new fork on the way lol

[@nicholkid]

never seen a better video

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@nicholkid]

@@Tkolbo_ worked like a charm

[@Tkolbo_]

@@nicholkid glad to hear it!

[@djkryton]

Hi, I managed to remove mine with a putty knife. Little safer than blades. Good video, got me thinking.

[@Tkolbo_]

Did you use multiple putty knifes? That is a good thought, way to go!

[@garyburchgb]

Thank You for this info.

[@ivanbeatty2020]

Nice tip...thanks for sharing!

[@Tkolbo_]

I’m glad you found it helpful! Thanks for watching!

[@DirectorRobb]

Great hack. Keep 'em coming.

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks! Glad it was helpful for you!

[@_Uszaty_]

Super very useful diy

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks! Glad you found it useful, thanks for watching!

[@BoonMountainBike]

nice one. I may have to use that idea one day.

[@Tkolbo_]

It’s a handy trick!

[@brentv7299]

Brilliant tech tip! Thanks for sharing.

[@Tkolbo_]

You are welcome! Thank you for watching!

[@negativerake1]

Thanks for sharing. Worked excellent.

[@Tkolbo_]

You are welcome! Thanks for letting me know how it went!

[@talan8484]

Stopped in for the content, stayed for the music!

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome! Glad to hear you dig the tunes!

[@brianbarto8295]

great tip for removal!

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jdillon8360]

Nice tip!

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks! Glad you found it!

[@ianbarber6463]

WOW followed your technique and hey presto crown race removed new Hope headset fitted.....Thanks for great insight.

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome! SO glad to hear it worked will for you! It really is a cool way to do it! Thanks for watching.

[@STLMTB]

Good shit man, and with bonus metal riff.

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks dude!! Glad you enjoyed it!!

[@RydenDirty]

Bro im so glad I watched this and learned this secret

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad you find it helpful man! Thanks for watching my dude! Also thanks for the music tip!

[@JesusSavesKJB]

great! thank you.. i'm refurbishing my Trek Cargo bike and this is the one thing i haven't done yet. Aloha!

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome! How goes the refurb?

[@a.r.moyapapitawaira7369]

Excellent! Sharing it right now 👍👍👍👍👍

[@Tkolbo_]

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[@Joe_from_iowa]

Great tip!!! Thanks!!!! You did great on your first tech vid!!

[@Tkolbo_]

Thanks Joe! I enjoy this method over the screwedriver...probably because I'm a brute with the screwdriver and ruin everything...including holidays hahahaha

[@Joe_from_iowa]

@@Tkolbo_ Also, I have a similar crown race tool but mine is a size smaller for straight steerer tubes.

[@Tkolbo_]

@@Joe_from_iowa good point! I should have mentioned the 1.25” pvc works for straight steerer tubes

[@radchad666]

Dig the intro! Is that you playing guitar? Best intro going. Gonna try this CR removal today… rad.

[@Tkolbo_]

Yeah man that’s me playing guitar! Glad you enjoyed it! Good luck with the race removal, you got this!

[@bumperxpert9564]

I was gina do the same thing but i was afraid ruin the fork. Now I can do it with confidence. Shop charging me 45 dollar I always use the guy . I support small business plus the guy is super cool but at this point it's a do it yourself project plus love doing small upgrades. Great video like your intro .

[@Tkolbo_]

Awesome! Glad you found the video helpful and insightful. Its great supporting the local shops, its so nice being able to help someone support their dream! However, its definitely nice being able to do your own repairs! Also thanks, I', glad you like my intro and thank you so much for watching!

[@Lance-f9f]

Thanks , nice trails also

[@Peewee792]

Worked for me! Nice tip

[@Tkolbo_]

Good to hear! I'm stoked that you were able to implement this, its a nice trick! Thanks for watching.

[@RickyDownhillRDH]

Thanks dude!! Good tips from my fellow KZbinr. 👍🏼

[@Tkolbo_]

Glad you enjoyed it! I think its a pretty rad way to DIY this annoying process!

[@RickyDownhillRDH]

@@Tkolbo_ Yeah, it worked! I really should buy this tool, but how often would I use it?

[@Tkolbo_]

That’s my problem, I just won’t use it enough to make it worth purchasing