Fork is for a 1990 Trek 950. I got a sealed bearing NECO headset to replace the 35yo rusted and trashed stock one. Didn’t realize it came with its own “race” to seat the lower bearing on and including both makes it sit 5mm too high to thread on the top nut. Seems to sit on the stock race fine, but leaves the sealed bearing exposed.
by joe-vee-wan
5 Comments
yeah just get a flathead and hammer
https://preview.redd.it/s6falgji44oe1.png?width=2000&format=png&auto=webp&s=1bc980b486dba069077e74ef37420666418015a3
cheap tool and works well
I would remove your old race and use the race that came with the headset to ensure proper/even bearing loading. To remove the old race put the fork upside down on a piece of 2×4 or in softjaws in a bench vise and put an old screwdriver on the bottom of the race and tap it at 12/3/6/9 o’clock positions with a hammer or mallet. It will come off no problem. To drive the new one on I do the same thing but with a piece of dowel or preferably a piece of PVC pipe that will slide over the steerer tube and make contact with the race.
Take it to a bike shop. Most should have a race puller, will cost you $10-20.
Most machine/engineering shops can do the same for a similar price.
Using a screwdriver will likely take off paint.
The replacement doesn’t need to be pressed on it’s split to allow it to expand and slip on easily.
Put the split at the 9/3 position when installing.
>I got a sealed bearing NECO headset to replace the 35yo rusted and trashed stock one. Didn’t realize it came with its own “race” to seat the lower bearing on…
The crown race shown in your first pic is not compatible with a sealed cartridge bearing headset, you will have to replace it.
>including both makes it sit 5mm too high to thread on the top nut.
You need to remove the old crown race and then install the new one that came with your new headset.