Pro-tip for those like me who can't afford Park Tools: I use an old stem as my saw guide.

When you pull the fork out of the saw guide make sure you immediately turn the fork upside down as you're pulling it out rather than standing it up straight. If you stand up straight, all the metal filings that are inside the steer tube will fall out the bottom of the steer tube and quite possibly land on top of your stanchion seals

Because of videos like this I've been able to build my own aggressive hardtail from scratch Very educational Thanks GMBN tech

My hack method to install a star nut is to use an EMTY co2 cylinder with a piece of masking tape for depth. It's the perfect diameter and the shape of the base perfect for centralizing the nut.

Great vid. To help with the metal filings, pop the packaging plastic bag back on the forks before you cut and file away

Funnily enough yesterday i watched the verision of replacing forks from 2 years ago.

I needed this december! But I managed to sort it out by going back to some of your previous videos as well as the one by Park Tool.

I worked in 2 pro shops back in the 90's, never seen a proper crown removal tool. Learn something new all the time👍 Also I've noticed over the years vise is at the end of bench nxt/over a trash can. Helps with the mess.

Hey Doddy, I used an older video of yours recently before fitting some forks and used a bag to stop swarf getting on the stanchions. #GMBNTech - One tip I have is that you’ll get swarf in the steerer tube when you cut it so I recommend inverting the fork to clean it out once you’ve cut it. Keep up the good work.

Yikes! And I thought I could just order in a fork and slip it right on O_o Wow, that's definitely cooled down my jets

I am going to try old vacuum pipe for installing the race.

Great video. Very thorough. I like the simple explanations and the fact that it allows how you can do this with the tools you've probably got already or ones you can get hold of relatively easily, as well as the technically correct way of doing things. Kudos.

At 7:46 you say the steerer should sit below the stem. I've always been told it should be above the stem so that all of the stem clamp can then clamp against the steerer tube giving a more secure fit & also the top of the stem then won't get compressed narrower than the steerer. When the steerer is above the stem as I suggest, an appropriate stem spacer should then be added on top to give you that approx 3mm gap between top cap & fork steerer to allow take up of slack.

I just got a delivery of a new fork yesterday :). Good advice with not pressing the pipe cutter too hard. I did that with my handlebars and the brakes were a pita to get back on.

Scratching the fork or crown race is not, "damage." I've always used a flathead screwdriver, sure it scratches up the fork, but it's not damaged. Nobody ever looks down there anyway. 25,000 miles since 2009 and no issues. I also installed star nuts with a block and hammer, before Sam Pilgrim was KZfaq famous. Made a headset press for $10 at the hardware store with a long bolt and various washers and lugs.

Big thanks for this quality guide!

Already know how but just love watching a good bit #GMBNtech cheers doddy

Thank you for the video,you explained all about it and why . Also emphasized the problems that may happen. Without being condercending .

Great videos as usual !!! Keep going !! Right on time i will replace my fork in few weeks just waiting for the fork. Would be great if you put a list with links for differents tools in the description.

Right on bro brah, got my forks cut right on the money and assembled. Thanks for the heads up!

Covered everything, great work.

Clear and concise 😎 Thanks so much

Here I am watching GMBN tech at 2 in the morning. Videos are great

Excellent video man. I appreciate the very helpful tips.

After using the pipe cutter remeber to sand it down on a nice fresh curb.

Just in time. I will have to do this, soon. I hoped to discover a new method for driving in the star nut without the workshop tool but yours is as good as mine. I like to place the Fork on a pice of wood with the crown for the job so it does not compress.

Ok so you just convinced me to use my bike shop Thanks for the video

Make a crown race installation tool from poly pipe and a poly pipe straight connector, which fits 1 1/8 steerer crowns perfectly. Never use a bearing or hit the race directly

With other words, bring it into a shop and let someone do it who knows how😂

Superb video mate! Incredibly detailed and sorted. Good on ya!

To remove crown race, tap in the sharp edge of a stanley knife (utility knife) blade, all the way around to lift it, then it pops off easily with some leverage from, ideally, plastic tyre lever. No risk of travel

i remember changing new fork. removing the crown race from old fork steerer without proper tool was ultimate pain. spent so many hours using cutter blade to fit in the gap.

I use a length of plastic waste pipe to fit the bottom bearing race. Cheap, but good.

With triple clamps don't forget the top crown.. almost made that mistake. I like to leave an extra spacers worth on top of the stem just because you may want to move resell your fork to a different bike and if you do forget that triple crown can save your arse lol. I also ovalled a fork once with a pipe cutter. I'd cut many forks that way, this time I must of been impatient wasn't by much but the stem didn't slide on smoothly.

fyi, the crown race isn't a bearing surface. The bearings are sealed inside their own cartridge. The cartridge or bearing housing is what seats on the crown race. Still best not to damage it of course but a small scuff wouldn't matter as much as if it was an actual bearing sitting directly on it.

I installed a shorter Stem the other day on my gf's MTB and was quite shocked when lowering the forks to see Ballbearings sitting in their ring. I guess her "cheaper" components use an older style of fitting. I wouldnt mind seeing a video on servicing/greasing tbis area of steering. The only other steering I've pulled apart were old Malvern Star brands with Full Length Goose Neck Bolts.

What a great video

Installing a starnut, I fit a screwdriver through the hole and just give it a good set of wacks. Works like a charm.

Put your crown race in the oven on 250 c, it will expand slightly so it's really easy to put on. I always give a few taps with a wooden block and a hammer (make sure to alternate sides every tap and it will be on there with little effort). Just watch you don't burn your fingers.

Great video, however I'm slightly confused why @8:56 you had marked and cut the steerer at 214mm instead of the 210mm you had measured off your previous forks steerer tube.

I disagree fundamentally with cutting the steerer tube below the stem top. I don’t think it’s wise to apply clamp force over and above the end of the tube, especially where a carbon tube is concerned. Measure above so that a 5-10mm spacer can be used while providing the proper space for the top cap to create bearing preload.

do it like pilgrim🙈😂

When you put the saw guide on how do you know where your cut line mark is once it’s in the clamp?

class vid as usual doddy shame it wasnt made for when i installed my new airbike fork

one can weld on more pipe if a fork stem is too short.

If there’s a chance of damaging your fork getting the crown race off just buy a new crown race, they’re probably cheaper than taking it to some shops to get it removed

Confused which technique to use to cut down forks - This one or the Sam Pil angle grinder technique? 🤣

can i use a plastic tyre lever instead of a flathead screwdriver to remove my crown race?

DODDY Make a Video of Steerer Tube Replacement !!! Some Steerer Tubes you Can Press Out

Is a Crown race part of new set of headset? Is it part of a newly purchased headset, or is it a special part purchased separately. Thank you. I dont have old headset able to use.

Quality video!

I bought a star nut installer....just to check the nut installed previously was right....£10 well spent😋

Good vid

Can you install a used starnut on a new pair of forks?

Great video BTW

Instead of using a flat screwdriver to pry the race off, use a chisel. The tip is much thinner and easier to put between the race and the fork.

If you replace your crown race do it with a split crown race. It’s a simple solution.

Would've been good to add in what decides how many spacers under/above the headset in a video like this as well, because it directly affects where your cut need to be.

I just did this, and it works well. however, I have one little problem. I moved the crown race from my old fork to my new, but the bearings don't seem to sink on it. Are there different models of crown race rings?

Helpful video, quick question. What torque should the caliper screws be screwed down with to the fork?

What forks need is another standard...maybe large taper with triple bearing on euro and imperial casings..oh and an upside down version that changes every six months.

If you have a Scott you will need a T25 for your top cap and stem not a 4mm Allen bolt despite appearances.

Beyond me I'm afraid. What rough cost should it be at a bike shop (UK 2023), Thanks.

I am about to replace fork on electric bike as it came with bent fork.. and it looks about the same

Typically how much is the tensile torque (Nm) for headset expansion when installed in to the aluminum tube fork? Thanks,,

I have just thrown a trash bag over bottom of forks and some painters tape then once cut blow off with compressed air and/or soft brush I suppose then there is no chance at all to get metal on the seals or shafts and chances are you will need the trash bag immediately in the shop anyway lol

must be windy where hes biking :D

the m5 bolt comes in a few different lengths... at a guess the 12 mm???

Can You give a few examples of headsets with open lower race crown? I've checked Ritchey, FSA, Cane Creek wich are my go to brands and I couldn't find any headsets which would not require eploying mallet/puller. Thank You

Does your fork have to be cut a tad bit below your stem so your top cap doesn’t hit your fork. So that your top cap can be tightened up to tighten your headset up?

Is there any reason not to cut a slit in a solid crown race [with a Dremel for example] to make it a split version - to aid future removal? - as long as the headset uses cartridge style bearings of course.

Best to cut steerer tube on mitre saw lol :D

Does this bike come with reflectors?

Is it possible to change offset/rake of fork...let’s say I wanna expand my wheelbase a bit? Would lowering the offset work? ...and yes I wanna change geometry of my bike 😊 I just wanna know if it’s possible without destroying the fork (the fork will be more expensive than my bike) 😅

Wrap your new fork in a bin bag before cutting the tube, hopefully will prevent all metal shavings from getting near the stanchions!

9:50 is he rotating the cutter the right way (and does it matter)?

I want to change the sunfour xcr forks on a carrera to something better.. any direct replacement suggestions? Not the whole bike lol just the forks.

Cleaned my cut up on the steerer lovely using an orbital sander

It went together easily in less than an hour. kzfaq.infoUgkxHL1v1R3NE5x4KiYfyt8dnQmyNYz7qi5L Make sure the front fork is forward or the pedals will hit the front tire. Tires are both a little soft so it needs air before I ride it. The rear wheel didn't come with a clamp regular bolts hold it on. The front had the clamp. No scratches out of box. Rims are a little off with a slight wobble. They could have spent more time with the spoke tool fixing the run out. So far out of the box I'm happy with it. I did replace the pedals with a nice aftermarket set. After riding it a bit my A$$ is a bit sore so I ordered another seat. Overall I'm nearly 60 and didn't ride a bike in 30 years. I like my new 29" Schwinn. It will be used for casual rides with my friend.

210mm or did you mean 215mm?

How far in does the star but go? Do you just match your old forks??

is it suposed to have those crumbs in there ( 8:24 ) Doddy?

How to fit a fork? Fork has two legs, if you can motivate it to run regularly, it will get fit for sure. Good luck getting your forks fit guys! :-)

Since crown races are universally needed and appear standard - wonder why forks just don’t come with them pre-installed, and don’t ever need to take them off (eg why even bother taking it off an old fork - as you’d need it on the old one anyways if you’re ever going to use it)

Insert a flared headset cup remover though the stem and insert it into the head tube to hold the handlebars on the bike, or just buy the ridiculous Park Tool dummy fork!

can you answer to this comment with a link that i can buy the cheapest good air suspension fork? please

At 7:01 he shows us that it measures 26 cm & he says that measures 21 cm. eh?

So the how to learning to cutand in #GMBNTech the installe the new forck a the my home of thes so #GMBN #MoutainBiking session's day thanks guy. Doddy. Saluds of chile 🇨🇱🤘 😀 🤘 🚵

Hi GMBN! Is it normal for a new fork to have a little play when pushing down even if the lockout is in the lock position?

I have a mountain bike that needs a new front 26' fork I thought I would order one and do it myself. After seeing all the tools I need that I don't have I'm gonna have to pay someone that has the tools and knows how to do it.

Doddy, you should educate yourself on the proper application of a file, a file’s teeth are designed to cut in one direction only.

*DODDY* what was the name of the 'how to' tricks guy in mbuk late 90s early 2000s rode an orange Santa Cruz chameleon..🤔😮

I always have trouble getting my forks to sit flush when I put them back on. I usually have this problem when I change the stem. It's like pulling teeth to get it to sit flush. Any tips?

So... how much extra spacers should I have? You said "required amount of stem spacers." IDK what that is. Help.

Hey Doddy what kind of watch is that?

How is that 2021 Fox 34 fork? I read it is not good. Especially the FIT4. I have read the 34 fork is "harsh" and "suck across the board" unless it is Grip2. Is this true? Anyone?

Do people still use an azonic headlock?

So when I changed out my fork and put my new one in. It made a rattling noise which was the fork. I looked at it and it was loose. But the star nut was in the fork. So what do I do?

great info, thanks for the tips. For someone who has such an eye for detail and is always conscious about how his bikes look, I gotta say those green GE 1's look completely out of place. It seems like the whole GMBN crew is using those green grips now! The oil slick lock on tabs are tight but there is a limited amount of frame colors/ accents that green goes with..... imo. Love the content. Not a hater!

#askgmbntech why is it that not all crown races come with a split, it seems to make everything much easier? Is it okay to cut a split yourself? Also, why aren't they an integral part of the fork or fitted from the factory?