Chipped crown race (image)

Was building up my beater yesterday, and had some issues with the crown race. First of all I couldn't remove it from the old fork with my Ice Tools Crown Race remover as it was stuck, had to take it down to the LBS who have the real firepower (Park CRP-1), they did confirm that it was stuck on particularly hard.

When fitting it to the new fork with the Cyclus Crown Race fitting tool I had to hammer it really hard to get it in place. However, upon inspection there appears to be a chip at the top of the crown race (pictured). Doesn't look like it impacts the actual race below, and the fork turns smoothly once the headset was installed.

Is this something I should be concerned about?

it doesn't look like the bearings roll in it so it should be alright. i'd be more concerned about the force it took to put on - sounds like you want your crown race seat cut. but the crown race may have expanded now making to too loose if you had it cut.

if it doesn't impede the movements of the ball bearings, its fine. The silver wear shows where the ball bearings are moving.

Thanks for the replies. As it's a beater I don't see myself changing this headset anytime soon as long as it doesn't wear out prematurely. But the next headset I'm fitting will be a Chris King one on my main bike, so I will probably invest in a digital measurement scale to make sure I am not trying to bang on the crown race on to crown where the difference is >0.15mm. I suspect it may have been in the above case, given the amount of force that was required.

I'd be tempted to very gently take a small file to it, just in case the bit that's spread over interferes with the movement of the balls.

Thanks for the replies. As it's a beater I don't see myself changing this headset anytime soon as long as it doesn't wear out prematurely. But the next headset I'm fitting will be a Chris King one on my main bike, so I will probably invest in a digital measurement scale to make sure I am not trying to bang on the crown race on to crown where the difference is >0.15mm. I suspect it may have been in the above case, given the amount of force that was required.

for the ck warranty to be valid you have to provide proof that the headtube and forks were reamed and faced before installation IIRC.

Digital measurement scales are actually called digital verniers (or calipers), if you asked for a digital measurement scale in a tool shop you will get laughed at.

for the ck warranty to be valid you have to provide proof that the headtube and forks were reamed and faced before installation IIRC.

I heard this as well but as it's a frame from an OTP bike surely the original reaming / facing counts? But would you need to reface following a powdercoat?

Digital measurement scales are actually called digital verniers (or calipers), if you asked for a digital measurement scale in a tool shop you will get laughed at.

Read my mind - cheers.

I heard this as well but as it's a frame from an OTP bike surely the original reaming / facing counts? But would you need to reface following a powdercoat?

it would probably be reamed and faced before painting or welding, but you would have to speak to CK to get the right answer.