Crown race reducer

Reader Jan Blaha has sent this information:

With some 1.5" lower assemblies that use cartridge bearings, it is possible to fit a 1-1/8"
steerer using a crown race reducer, sold in the UK by Raleigh / RSP brand (RAT415 - please see
attached photos) You have a frame that uses normally tapered 1-1/8" to 1.5" steerer (40mm
crown race diameter) but you want to use a fork with a 1-1/8" straight steerer (30mm crown
race diameter). The reducer replaces the original 40mm crown race of the headset. This
reducer has outer diameter 51mm, thickness 5mm with 2.5mm deep seat and 45° angle - so
compatibility depends on actual dimensions of the cup/bearing.

bottom of crown-race reducer top of crown-race reducer

bottom of crown-race reducer top of crown-race reducer

Threaded Headsets/Steerers

in order of frame cup outside diameter, crown race inside diameter, threads per inch, and
steerer O.D.--

the dimensions which affect headset compatibility with frame and fork.

Crown race seat of fork can be milled smaller, frame bearing seats milled larger.

Standard Frame Cup

Outside Diameter Crown race

Inside diameter Steerer O.D in mm Threads

Per inch Stem diameter,

Steerer I.D. Notes

1" J.I.S.

30.0 mm 27.0 mm 25.4 mm 24 22.2 mm (7/8") Older or lower-quality

bicycles from Asia. Can be milled to ISO standard.

1" Raleigh

30.0 mm 27.0 mm 25.4 mm 26 22.2 mm (7/8") Proprietary size used

on Raleighs made in Nottingham, England

1" ISO Standard

30.2 mm 26.4 mm

25.4 mm
24 22.2 mm (7/8") This is the standard 1" size.

1" Professional/

Campagnolo 30.2 mm 26.4 mm

25.4 mm 24 22.2 mm (7/8") Obsolete. Threads are cut at 55 degrees, but an ISO
headset can be used.

1" Italian 30.2 mm 26.5 mm,

27.0 mm 25.4 mm 24 22.2 mm (7/8") Obsolete. Threads are cut at 55

degrees, but an ISO or J.I.S. top headset can be used. Fork can be milled to ISO.

French 30.2 mm 26.5 mm,

27.0 mm 25.0 mm 25.4

(1 mm) 22.0 mm Obsolete. French steerers usually have a flat filed on the back, rather
than a grooved keyway as with other threaded systems. The bottom headset parts wear faster;
you can replace them with ISO parts and use the old top headset.

East German (DDR) 30.6 mm 26.8 mm

(1 1/8")26 mm 26 22.0 mm Very similar to or the same as Austrian. 0.2 mm

discrepancy may result from measuring the I.D. of the head tube (press fit). See page on
German site.

Austrian

30.8 mm 26.7 mm 26 mm 25.4

(1 mm) 22.0 mm These are found on bicycles sold by Sears, made by Steyr in Austria.
Higher quality Austrian bikes use English/ISO.

BMX/ O.P.C. bikes 32.6 mm

(varies) 26.4 mm (varies) 25.4 mm 24 21.15 mm

(.833") Used mainly on bicycles with one-piece cranks, also some early mountain bikes.

French Tandem Let us know, if you do! 28 mm Let us now, if you do! 25.4

(1 mm) 22.0 mm Obsolete and rare.

1 1/8" 34.0 mm 30.0 mm 28.6 mm 26 25.4 mm (1") "Oversized"

(This size is more often used for threadless systems.)

Moulton 30.2 mm top,

36.4 bottom

33.0 mm 25.4 mm 24 22.2 mm

(7/8") Moulton Mark III and earlier. Top headset is standard ISO.

1 1/4" 37.0 mm 33.0 mm 31.8 mm 26 28.6 mm (1 1/8") Mainly

used on tandems