Hey everyone,
I took my brand new fork to a shop today to have a crown race removed (It was taken of a new bike). The mechanic did it with a screwdriver and a mallet. He claimed there was no tool for this job and this is how it’s always done. Basically told me that anytime you remove a crown race it will scratch the fork.
I gave it to a shop because I was hoping they could remove it without marking up the fork. I could have done this myself…
I’m just very upset with how it looks. I paid good money for this fork…
Is this how it’s always done? What would you do in my situation? Any help is appreciated
by Wise-Pay-1475
16 Comments
I did one myself last week using screwdrivers and it turned out better than this. Also there’s like 3 different specialty tools for removing crown races. Shit shop, don’t go back
No that is absolutely not how it’s normally done. That is literally home mechanic shit that I used to do when I couldn’t afford to take it to a shop. I work at a shop now and we absolutely have a specific crown removal tool. This is just either a case of pure ignorance, or a refusal on the shops part to invest in the right tools. Either way they owe you a new fork.
Also on a side note, it is very possible to use the hammer and screwdriver method without marking up the fork like this, all you need to do is wrap the tip of the screwdriver in electrical tape. So not only did they use an unprofessional method, but they couldn’t even do that right.
There is 100% a specific tool for this job-crown race puller. Mallet and screwdriver is a hack job, I’d recommend not going back to that shop/getting your money back.
From a home brew mechanic that’s drunk doing it to his own bike? It’s suspect. For a customer and any self respecting shop that is registered as a business this is complete dogshit. That tech shouldn’t be working on bikes, or cars, or anything that requires integrity.
There is a tool for that, even still with just a screwdriver you can do a better job than this.
honestly… even for a flat head screwdriver and a mallet, this is straight up savagely brutal unprofessional work. WILDLY unnecessary to cause that much damage
Unacceptable.
There are many many special tools for this job 🫤
It is not acceptable quality from the bike shop. The tool does exists.
And it isn’t even expensive. Hobbyist can afford it, let alone the shop.
[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq2oe8piu5c](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jq2oe8piu5c)
[https://r2-bike.com/BIRZMAN-crown-race-removal-tool-1-15](https://r2-bike.com/BIRZMAN-crown-race-removal-tool-1-15)
Not sure what can you do – it depends on your personality, shop stuff personality and legal system in your country. I think that fork is fully 100% safe to ride, you can cover the scratches it with waterproof pen and forget about it.
Find a better shop as well.
Sometimes the proper tool doesn’t work. In that case I have a second tool, not a screwdriver, which will get any crown race off, but may mark the fork. What I do is discuss this with the customer first, then touch up any cosmetic damage. As it stands this is unacceptable and you shouldn’t pay.
Name the shop
Completely unacceptable and absolutely not how it’s supposed to be done.
I’d assume that the steer tube must’ve gotten gouged too and that the fork is no longer safe to ride.
flat head screwdriver, yes.
mallet? Why?!
There’s a notch in the fork to allow a prying tool under the race to make removal easier.
Complain, that’s shoddy work, and yes, there are correct tool for this job, but honestly, just a big flat head is plenty to pop a crown race off without damaging the fork like that.
holy shit! how is this bike shop in business at all? the local nonprofit bike co-op where I volunteer has at least two crown race pullers that we use all the time.
Absolute shit. My son could do better.
Even if you don’t have the proper tool (and as a shop, you should do – it’s only €20!) use a stanley knife blade, knocked gently in around the crown race. As you work around, it’ll gradually open up and pop off. Takes a bit longer than a proper tool, but will do without leaving a mark. Takes < 10 mins.
Not acceptable.
https://www.parktool.com/en-int/product/adjustable-crown-race-puller-crp-2
That is tool to use (among others) that you can take back as evidence that there is a tool that should be used instead of a screwdriver and mallet.
Good luck
They need to replace the fork and refund.
Hell no.
1. There are many specific tools. Ice toolz do a cheapish one. Thats what I use.
2. It’s fairly easy to do it with a screwdriver without scratching the fork, especially to that degree (in your picture)
If you’re livid, I think you’re right to be.