How 'bout them tiny valve stems...
#1
The Other White Meat
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Reno
Posts: 605
Bikes: Raleigh Sports 3 speed, Torker T-530
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
How 'bout them tiny valve stems...
I have a Motobecane with Specialized 27 x 1¼ tires in my scrap heap. I don't know what kind of tube is in there but I've never seen a valve like that before on a car, truck, tractor or bicycle wheel. It's a tiny little thing and I couldn't succeed in getting any air in there at all. Are these still around? Is some adaptor required? I tried air from the compressor and from two different hand pumps but they all seemed to only spray a little wind around the top, without injecting any. I suppose if the wheels are good, I could drill or file a proper sized hole for the typical valve stem.
What's the story?
What's the story?
#2
la vache fantôme
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 6,266
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
sounds like you might be talking about a presta valve...
Do the valve stems look like this? ??
Do the valve stems look like this? ??
__________________
C://dos
C://dos.run
run.dos.run
C://dos
C://dos.run
run.dos.run
#3
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,274
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
I'd be surprised if it was anything other than presta valves. You need an adapter, or a pump that fits a presta valve. I have both.
There's a little knurled ring at the top that you loosen (turn counter-clockwise) when filling with air, then you tighten it up again. It won't take air if you don't loosen that ring.
There's a little knurled ring at the top that you loosen (turn counter-clockwise) when filling with air, then you tighten it up again. It won't take air if you don't loosen that ring.
#4
The Other White Meat
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Reno
Posts: 605
Bikes: Raleigh Sports 3 speed, Torker T-530
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Originally Posted by phantomcow2
sounds like you might be talking about a presta valve...
Do the valve stems look like this? ??
Do the valve stems look like this? ??
At best, I'm semi-literate when it comes to bikes--and lots of other things.
That explains why I pumped away with no satisfaction. Usually I can look at simple mechanical things and understand them but I felt daunted by that tiny little thing.
presta valve, presta valve, presta valve. I'll remember that. presta valve, presta valve, presta valve, presta valve, presta valve, presta valve, presta valve, presta valve, presta valve, presta valve, presta valve
#5
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
And for a presta valve, you'll need a pump something like this:
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
BTW - don't drill any holes it it, those valves are fragile enough at best.
And they are the most common valves in most road bicycle tires now. Schraeder valves are usually only found in mtn bike tires or lower-end road bikes. (I think)
https://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?c...eid=&pagename=
BTW - don't drill any holes it it, those valves are fragile enough at best.
And they are the most common valves in most road bicycle tires now. Schraeder valves are usually only found in mtn bike tires or lower-end road bikes. (I think)
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#6
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by Machka
And they are the most common valves in most road bicycle tires now. Schraeder valves are usually only found in mtn bike tires or lower-end road bikes. (I think)
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#7
New Orleans
Join Date: Jan 2006
Posts: 2,794
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 157 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 3 Times
in
3 Posts
Bromax-You can drill your rims to Schrader valve sized holes,that way you can use either type tube.There are little adapters for using Presta valves in the bigger holes,but you can just build up the Presta valve a bit by wrapping it with strips of duct tape so it doesn't wiggle around in the now enlarged holes.
It is still easier to find a Shrader valved 27" tube at Walmart and sporting goods stores than a Presta valved tube.Luck,Charlie
PS I remember when I 1st saw a Presta valve in a bike store about 36 years ago-I was a bit puzzled-WTF is this????
It is still easier to find a Shrader valved 27" tube at Walmart and sporting goods stores than a Presta valved tube.Luck,Charlie
PS I remember when I 1st saw a Presta valve in a bike store about 36 years ago-I was a bit puzzled-WTF is this????
#8
Senior Member
Oh, I hate those things. Does anyone know how to gauge pressure them other than with a pump with built in gauge? LBS tells me my rims are too narrow to safely enlarge for Shrader valved tubes.
__________________
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
#9
In Real Life
Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Down under down under
Posts: 52,152
Bikes: Lots
Mentioned: 141 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3203 Post(s)
Liked 596 Times
in
329 Posts
Originally Posted by Nermal
Oh, I hate those things. Does anyone know how to gauge pressure them other than with a pump with built in gauge? LBS tells me my rims are too narrow to safely enlarge for Shrader valved tubes.
Pick up a few of these, and then you can use a regular gauge.
https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_d...=1140416454886
__________________
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
Rowan
My fave photo threads on BF
Century A Month Facebook Group
Machka's Website
Photo Gallery
#10
DEADBEEF
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Catching his breath alongside a road near Seattle, WA USA
Posts: 12,234
Bikes: 1999 K2 OzM, 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 6 Times
in
4 Posts
Originally Posted by Nermal
Oh, I hate those things. Does anyone know how to gauge pressure them other than with a pump with built in gauge? LBS tells me my rims are too narrow to safely enlarge for Shrader valved tubes.
__________________
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
1999 K2 OzM 2001 Aegis Aro Svelte
"Be liberal in what you accept, and conservative in what you send." -- Jon Postel, RFC1122
#11
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 7,274
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 2 Times
in
2 Posts
Originally Posted by phoebeisis
It is still easier to find a Shrader valved 27" tube at Walmart and sporting goods stores than a Presta valved tube.
Go with the adapters and the right pump. Leave the Schrader valves to the steel-wheeled import trash.
And tractors.
#12
la vache fantôme
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: NH
Posts: 6,266
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Presta valve setups allow for narrower rims. All of the mid to high end mtn bike rims i've built up have been presta.
I second the presta to schrader adapter, I always carry two around. I leave them threaded right onto the tube, incase I ever need to stop for air somewhere, presta's are not something everybody has.
I believe they are called "grommets', my LBS carries them for 75 cents i think
I second the presta to schrader adapter, I always carry two around. I leave them threaded right onto the tube, incase I ever need to stop for air somewhere, presta's are not something everybody has.
I believe they are called "grommets', my LBS carries them for 75 cents i think
__________________
C://dos
C://dos.run
run.dos.run
C://dos
C://dos.run
run.dos.run
#13
Senior Member
Thanks for the tip, khuon. I have the adaptors, can inflate from a standard pump, but the standard gauge just doesn't work.
__________________
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.
Some people are like a Slinky ... not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you shove them down the stairs.