Bicycle Mechanics - Dunlop/Woods Valve Stems?

I bought a Dutch bike (Batavus) and it came with valve stems which are neither Presta nor Schrader. Near as I can tell, they are the Dunlop/Wood variation. Anyone know where I might get an air chuck to work on them? I can kinda cram the chuck I have on, but it's a dogfight to really get good pressure in. Thanks!!

JJDoggett

I found that a Presta pump worked ok. But if it's a problem why not just replace the tubes with either Presta or Schrader? Seems easier than searching for an adapter.

Many presta pumps work fine, but it can be a bit finnicky. Plunk a presta - > Schraeder adaptor on there, and everything should work great.

Alternately, a Schreader valve will fit fine in the rim hole, so you could just drop those in there and you're laughing.

Also, when inflating, you don't have to open them up until air is coming out. Just a touch before it starts releasing air is fine. If you've got it right, the pump will push air, but the valve will still hold it there while you're pumping. Be sure to tighten everything down afterward.

Your easiest fix is to replace the tubes with shrader valve tubes. Some direct connect pump heads, especially smartheads, have difficulty with Woods valves because the valve's short top. You can use a presta-to-shrader adapter, as suggested by M.W. Another alternative, if you have a presta head on your pump, is to get a presta valve extender. They will screw into the top of a Woods valve.

Thanks for the replies! My pump has the little reversable rubber insert to switch between Presta and Schrader valves, so I've got those two covered. I needed to make my pump so I could switch chucks anyway, since I can't get the taller chuck on one of my motorcycles--stinkin' Comstock rims anyway. I figured "what's one more chuck?". Also, an eight dollar chuck is cheaper than two new tubes. Then there's the fact that a Batavus Old Dutch is lots more work to pull the tubes out of than the typical road bike. So there's that. :)

I'll try not opening the valve so much, see if that works better.

You can usually regulated the tightness with which a Presta (or Schrader) chuck grabs a valve by turning the front nut that holds the washer within the chuck. If you squish the washer more, the grip tightens. As others, I have been using Presta successfully on Woods. On the side, I am still trying to figure out what unortodox valve variation has been used in Japan and what sort of chuck is needed for those.

I'll try not opening the valve so much, see if that works better. You don't open a Woods valve for inflation like you do a Presta. You remove the dust cap. That's all. The valve loosens for for removal. You remove the valve to replace the rubber hose that acts as a check valve.