Bicycle Mechanics - Presta Valve Stem Cover

OK, stupid question maybe. I ride my bike to and from work. I keep it locked up really well, but apparently someone seems to not be able to resist the urge to flatten my tires on occassion. That's one thing I really hate about Presta valves with that being so easy to do. Is there any such thing as a cover that's harder to remove, or some way to prevent this?

Thanks,

Brian

OK, stupid question maybe. I ride my bike to and from work. I keep it locked up really well, but apparently someone seems to not be able to resist the urge to flatten my tires on occassion. That's one thing I really hate about Presta valves with that being so easy to do. Is there any such thing as a cover that's harder to remove, or some way to prevent this?

Thanks,

Brian

Fill your tires with tear gas! :D

Fill your tires with tear gas! :D

That's a great idea--I was also wanting to install a hidden camera so I can go vigilante on this. It's just a nuisance to need to pump up my tires a couple of times per week to be able to get home.

Fill your tires with tear gas! :D

Won't work.... tear gas will eat through your tubes.

OK, stupid question maybe. I ride my bike to and from work. I keep it locked up really well, but apparently someone seems to not be able to resist the urge to flatten my tires on occassion. That's one thing I really hate about Presta valves with that being so easy to do. Is there any such thing as a cover that's harder to remove, or some way to prevent this?

Thanks,

Brian

Is there any reason to suspect that there could be someone that is annoyed with you, specifically in regard to where or how you lock it up and/or use the bike? Keep in mind you may be doing things right, but still giving the perception (which is in the eye of the observer) of doing wrong.

Al

I say ... every time you lock up your bike ... pee on the tires and make sure people see you doing it, pretty sure word will get out about the crazy guy that pees on his bike and no one will go within 10 feet of it :)

I say ... every time you lock up your bike ... pee on the tires and make sure people see you doing it, pretty sure word will get out about the crazy guy that pees on his bike and no one will go within 10 feet of it :)


that brings to mind a painful childhood expereince...of which i will not go into detail at this time.

how about putting a piece of chewed bubble gum around the cover? if it's yours i'm sure you won't mind touching it, but if it's a strangers i wouldn't want to go near it.

duct tape?

tighten the valve with pliers so that it can't be opened with fingers? (may damage the valve, tho)

Wipe a booger on the valve nut. Your tires may still get flattened but you'll enjoy the knowledge that someone had to touch your dried-up booger :D

Seriiously though, what kind of childern do you work with? File a complaint with your harassement officer.

When I used to bike to school I would have to double check my bike before each ride home as someone took the QRs off my tires and left them lying around the bike rack one time. Just make sure the tires is the only thing this loser is screwing around with. Don't want any nasty "accidents" on the way home caused by some malcontent prick!

also, don't forget to crouch in the bushes, wait, and jump out the minute you see anyone get within 5 feet of your bike.

Go with a piece of duct tape wrapped around the valve, and write "I'm watching you" or "say cheese!" on it.

Won't work.... tear gas will eat through your tubes.

your knowledge scare me not just a little. :eek:

-mark

Go with a piece of duct tape wrapped around the valve, and write "I'm watching you" or "say cheese!" on it.

This is a pretty good idea. Chances are if it is someone who is annoyed with something your doing and doesn't have the guts to confront you with it, the guy will easily be scared off by a note.

A while back I suspected the woman that used to watch our house was snooping around an area where I have my gun safes. An area where she had no reason to be while feeding our cats and checking our mail. The next trip we took, I put a note on the front of the safe that said "If you can read this, I can see you". Well, when we got home she was so freaked out by it she had left a note saying she couldn't watch our house anymore.

When you lock your wheels, rotate the valve so it lies inside the seat-stays or front fork. Its harder to mess with the cover.
I thought about a tamper-proof cap, and had a few ideas. Is there a market for them?

Fill them with Hydrogen and put a piece of flint in the valve.

Just remember to remove the flint when you pump the tires.

Find some metal caps.. and then screw them on pretty good. then jam the thin nut that comes with the tube against the metal cap, tight now! or threadlock the metal caps on.. they shouldnt be able to unscrew those.. although this may make the person go to truly destructive means to deflate your tires (knife!) and youll then need pliers to get them off..

maybe shrink a piece of heatshrink tubing over the valve stem and cap. they wont be able to deflate the tire unless they sit there and peel off the stuff.. any minute you make then linger longer is worse for them..

the best solution though is getting to the bottom of the problem . . . find that guy and relieve him of his troublemaking fingers ; )

~Steve