Originally Posted by
WizardOfBoz
Still, I have a question. The picture in the docs shows a lower crown race. This implies (to me) that the lower bearing is a traditional angular contact bearing with the crown race (cone) on the fork crown and the cup race on the frame. But I see no loose bearings or bearings in retainers in the pic. So is the set up cartridge bearings top and bottom? Is the "crown race" just a positioning spacer for the lower cartridge bearing?
Cartridge bearing headsets have what is actually just a base plate to support and position the lower cartridge and it isn't really a "crown race". However, they are very often referred to as crown races even though its a misnomer. Chris King properly calls it a "base plate" but other makers like Cane Creek still call it a crown race.