Fork swap - crown race swap required?

I'm swapping forks from my road bike on to the fixie. Both have a similar, but slightly different crown races, the bevel is marginally different. They seem to fit ok, will I die if I don't swap the races over?

Swapping it across would mean leaving the bike in the shop, which is a bit of a ballache.

top to bottom:
fixie headset
road bike headset
new fork
old fork

4 Attachments

That angled bit is designed to match nicely to the underside of the bearing. If that doesn't happen, you might have some load on an undesireable point. Also there is the possibility that there will be an unsightly gap which might let in more crud. If, when the fork is mounted, the bearing moves smoothly, it is probably ok.

Personally, I'd switch them. Teh top one looks like alloy and might have a split in it so it will come off easily. The bottom one looks like steel and might require more welly / care / effort.

You're going to die. But probably not because of this.

The black frame has a Zero Stack or integrated headset. The silver frame has external cups. All three are different designs.

The crown race is integral to each specific headset, not designed to be swapped about.

If you're sure everything is compatible, then you need to switch the races when you switch the forks.

Know your SHIS!

Right-o. Into the shop it goes then. Sorry, I was in denial about it being more complicated than very easy.

Actually, the columbus fork is gash, I may just sell it. Although 200g lighter it can barely fit a 35mm mudguard, stupid design.