Bicycle Mechanics - ? on presta valves

This is more than likely a newbie question. I bought a new set of wheels and tires. It appears to have presta valves, but the threaded portion that allows air in and out is not in them. Is this a removable part? Can I take out that little piece from another tube and screw it into my new tube?

Rookie, that is odd. I have never ever bought a presta tube that was not ready to go. Check out this link (http://www.geocities.com/cyqlist/valve.html) for info on valves or consult your bike shop. Good luck.

sounds like you have woods valves, esp. if the wheels came from asia. you can use a regular presta adapter one them. it's usually best to replace them; the valves leak and fail over time.

here's a pic of one: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_w.html#woods

This is more than likely a newbie question. I bought a new set of wheels and tires. It appears to have presta valves, but the threaded portion that allows air in and out is not in them. Is this a removable part? Can I take out that little piece from another tube and screw it into my new tube?

You must be talking about the valve stem nut. Some tube manufacturers, like Michelin, don't include them. I don't think that's a big deal because I always throw the nuts away anyway. The only thing they are good for is to hold the valve stem out until you can get your pump head onto it. They can be bad because if you screw them on too tightly, they canl tear your tube when you take a hard corner. I used to have a delightful Chinese mechanic working for me who called them "The work of the devil."

You must be talking about the valve stem nut. Some tube manufacturers, like Michelin, don't include them. I don't think that's a big deal because I always throw the nuts away anyway. The only thing they are good for is to hold the valve stem out until you can get your pump head onto it. They can be bad because if you screw them on too tightly, they canl tear your tube when you take a hard corner. I used to have a delightful Chinese mechanic working for me who called them "The work of the devil."

oddly enough it is not the valve stem nut I'm talking about. It actually does not have the center threads that you would normally unscrew to let air in and out. Some people have suggested it might be a woods valve, but after looking at some pictures it does not look like a woods valve. It looks exactly like a long stem presta valve.

sounds like you have woods valves, esp. if the wheels came from asia. you can use a regular presta adapter one them. it's usually best to replace them; the valves leak and fail over time.

here's a pic of one: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/gloss_w.html#woods


It actually does not look like a woods valve. It looks just like a presta minus the center post. The wheels are spinergy and are mounted with michelen tires. Let me know if you have any other ideas. Thanks for the response!

Get some new tubes.

Are you certain that it isnt a valve extender? I have Spinergy wheels too, and the do require either a long valve stem tube, or an extender so that you can get a pump to stay on. I prefer the long stems, but always carry an extender in my tool bag.

I just read (and had forgotten--don't deal with them much [once in 2 years]) that the presta valve cores are often removable, with the purpose of installing valve extensions in their place.

http://www.world-of-speed.de/TechInfo/wheel_cycling_101/installing_valve_extensions.html

Get some new tubes.

I would love to but I can't get the air out of these. My wheels are a deep-V and only the metal portion of the stem is showing. I tried sticking something down the stem to let out the air and it didn't release any pressure.

But if the cores were gone, there would be nothing to keep air in the tire. I'm assuming that they are inflated right now, but you need the ability to add more air???

Are you certain that it isnt a valve extender? I have Spinergy wheels too, and the do require either a long valve stem tube, or an extender so that you can get a pump to stay on. I prefer the long stems, but always carry an extender in my tool bag.

It is a valve extender. I've never seen these. I've always just bought long stems. Thanks for the help.

Put a vice grip on the stem and snap it off. That is how my last flat happened, except change vice grip to clumsy oaf's foot!!!