I like valve covers and stem washers!
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I like valve covers and stem washers!
Valve stem covers: keep the dust off, protect teh presta valve from damage, keep the stabby end of the presta valve from stabbing your hand while working on the bike
stem washers: keep the stem from sinking into the tire when I push the tire pump valve onto it
I can't see why people don't like them!!
stem washers: keep the stem from sinking into the tire when I push the tire pump valve onto it
I can't see why people don't like them!!
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Valve covers and the stem nut are like ice cream. Some people like vanilla, others chocolate, neither are wrong.
For the record, All my bikes are PV except for two I keep in Mexico. On the SV bikes I use valve caps to keep salt water out of the valve, and their molded valves don't use stem nuts. On all the other bikes (PV) I never bother with caps, and as for stem nuts, never with tubulars, and generally not with wired-ons, but on my 26" commuter with fairly fat tires I leave them on loosely to make pushing the pump on easier.
For the record, All my bikes are PV except for two I keep in Mexico. On the SV bikes I use valve caps to keep salt water out of the valve, and their molded valves don't use stem nuts. On all the other bikes (PV) I never bother with caps, and as for stem nuts, never with tubulars, and generally not with wired-ons, but on my 26" commuter with fairly fat tires I leave them on loosely to make pushing the pump on easier.
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Some tubes have a threaded base for the nut and the rest of the stem is smooth. That's what I use. Unfortunately, the threads don't come out of the rims I have far enough to thread a nut on it, so it's entirely useless to me. I don't use the caps, either.
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Keeps the dust off? How is this a real advantage?
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I know, right?
I like valve stem covers, as a little touch of frilly "bling." Mine are red and look way cool on my wheels. Not practical, I know. But there it is.
Stem washers? Always. Too practical, IMHO, to be chucked in the trash.
I like valve stem covers, as a little touch of frilly "bling." Mine are red and look way cool on my wheels. Not practical, I know. But there it is.
Stem washers? Always. Too practical, IMHO, to be chucked in the trash.
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#8
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#10
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#11
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If it wasn't for the comment about the stem washer (the only substantial benefit pointed out in the original post), I would have thought this was a joke thread. Post #9 solidified it though.
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All that dust getting in the tube can add up in weight. And how are you going to get it out? Plus dust can clog the valve itself, and abrade the tube from the inside. Finally, the tube manufacturers are experts (what's your expertise?), and they obviously think tube valve covers are a great idea and include them. Pwn.
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Enough dust & dirt inside the tire (between tube and inner tire carcass) can also act like very fine sandpaper, slowly abrading away at your inner tube. POP! Happened on a used MTB I picked up. Both tires had about a tablespoon full of very fine dirt in them. Tube split about eight inches lengthwise.
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Plus all that caked on dust and dirt on the valve is gonna act like sandpaper on your pump valve every time you inflate your tires.
#15
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buy tubes with smooth valve stems - easy on & off with the pump head, and no threads for a stem nut.
P/V stems, right below the thread for the cap.
I stopped wearing out Presta air pump gaskets when I quit shoving them on too far.
Silca track pump..
Last edited by fietsbob; 09-26-11 at 10:18 AM.
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The stem covers are put on by manufacturers to prevent the pointy bit of the stem from puncturing the tube while it's all wrapped up nicely for transit. Nobody likes buying an already been popped inner tube.
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My bike doesn't have a single item on it that isn't totally necessary to its operation... except maybe the bar tape, rear brake and front derailleur and shifter.
These useless bits of junk you speak of serve no purpose for me. Valve caps? Thoroughly pointless. Valve nuts? Easily replaced with technique, thus also, pointless.
These useless bits of junk you speak of serve no purpose for me. Valve caps? Thoroughly pointless. Valve nuts? Easily replaced with technique, thus also, pointless.
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Do you think valve caps are totally useless on your car, truck or off roader? Just try to top off a tire with the valve packed full of mud and crud. Then hope the valve seats properly to prevent a slow leak after you are done.
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Valve caps?!!!!
First it's chain lube, then wheels, spacers on top of stems, carbon fiber, etc. Now we're down to debating valve caps. Come on, they're free with tubes, use them if you want, or chuck them if you don't.
Is there nothing folks don't get worked up over?
First it's chain lube, then wheels, spacers on top of stems, carbon fiber, etc. Now we're down to debating valve caps. Come on, they're free with tubes, use them if you want, or chuck them if you don't.
Is there nothing folks don't get worked up over?
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
Chain-L site
An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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Stem nuts are evil. I had like three tube failures at the valve where the tube peels off of the valve, I was told to not use the nuts on them any more, no more failures.
#23
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I'm familiar with the Willamette valley thanks to my model flying. I've attended many contests in the seed grass growing areas there over the years. I'd suggest that your area of Corvalis sees enough rain that if you're riding in it or if you do off road riding that I'd be worried about picking up grit that would get into the valves as well.
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