Go Back  Bike Forums > Bike Forums > Bicycle Mechanics
Reload this Page >

Leaky schrader valve

Search
Notices
Bicycle Mechanics Broken bottom bracket? Tacoed wheel? If you're having problems with your bicycle, or just need help fixing a flat, drop in here for the latest on bicycle mechanics & bicycle maintenance.

Leaky schrader valve

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-12-17 | 04:24 PM
  #1  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Reykjavík

Bikes: Trek Crossrip 2 2017, Cube Cruve Pro 2015 and Berlín Dutch Bike 3 speed 2014

Leaky schrader valve

I rarely get flats when ride so I didn't notice that I got one until I arrived to my destination and it was a slow leak.
I replaced the tube that only been on my bike for two weeks.
When I got home I discovered that the schrader valve on my tube is leaking air.

Is this common for schrader valve tubes to have leaky valve?

Could it be posible that I did something wrong when aired up the tire or perhaps the tube is defected?
ammarolli is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 04:32 PM
  #2  
Senior Member
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 14
The valve should not leak. Probably the tube is defective or something got inside the valve and jammed it open slightly.
jsdavis is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 05:06 PM
  #3  
AlexCyclistRoch's Avatar
The Infractionator
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,201
Likes: 3
From: Rochester, NY

Bikes: Classic road bikes: 1986 Cannondale, 1978 Trek

Leaky valves do happen. That's why they stock bags of valve cores at any auto parts store....
AlexCyclistRoch is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 05:07 PM
  #4  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

No rare as a honest con-man, but the cores are replaceable & cheap.

you tested it and found it leaking inside the stem?
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 05:25 PM
  #5  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Reykjavík

Bikes: Trek Crossrip 2 2017, Cube Cruve Pro 2015 and Berlín Dutch Bike 3 speed 2014

Originally Posted by fietsbob
you tested it and found it leaking inside the stem?
I filled up a bathtub with a water and then I put the tube in the water to see where the tube would make bubbles.
The tube only bubbled around the valve and I could also hear air escaping from the valve.
The tube does not go 100% flat it still holds tiny bit of air.
ammarolli is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 05:27 PM
  #6  
bobwysiwyg's Avatar
Senior Member
 
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 2,344
Likes: 320
From: 961' 42.28° N, 83.78° W (A2)

Bikes: Mongoose Selous, Trek DS

And it's worth keeping a cap on them. It only takes a tiny bit of sand or debris to result in a leak next time you pump.
bobwysiwyg is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 06:08 PM
  #7  
Andrew R Stewart's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,373
Likes: 5,516
From: Rochester, NY

Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB

Valve cores can become damaged or loose. Valve stems can have their seats become damaged. Valve stems can become in bonded to their "rubber" jacket. Andy.
Andrew R Stewart is online now  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 06:25 PM
  #8  
Georgia Traveler
 
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 139
Likes: 5
Valve cores are cheap, just replace it. I've had them fail due to trash so keep a valve cap on them. Also due to oil contamination causing the rubber or plastic on the valve to swell and stick. Many years ago there was a brand of imported tube that had zinc stems instead of brass. They tended to build up a little corrosion inside the stem. There used to be both short and long Schrader valve cores...I always had the best luck with the short ones. Also they used to make many Schrader valve cores out of brass but I have always preferred the stainless steel.
richart is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 06:35 PM
  #9  
rumrunn6's Avatar
Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 30,500
Likes: 4,571
From: 25 miles northwest of Boston

Bikes: Bottecchia Sprint, GT Timberline 29r, Marin Muirwoods 29er, Trek FX Alpha 7.0

was 4 wheeling once. aired down or aired up I forget. one valve was leaking. I was desperate, so all I could do was push the valve open & closed a cpl time & it stopped leaking. whatever had clogged it, worked free
rumrunn6 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 06:38 PM
  #10  
Bill Kapaun's Avatar
Really Old Senior Member
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 14,668
Likes: 1,905
From: Mid Willamette Valley, Orygun

Bikes: 87 RockHopper,2008 Specialized Globe. Both upgraded to 9 speeds. 2019 Giant Explore E+3

Get a pack of these from your auto parts store and swap the valve out from an old tube.
TR VC 2 Screwdriver Type Valve Cap - Tire caps - Tire Hardware | Miltonindustries.com

They have a version that actually is supposed to act as a seal.

Possibly, the valve may just need to be tightened.
Bill Kapaun is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 06:49 PM
  #11  
Senior Member
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 33,657
Likes: 1,119
From: Pittsburgh, PA

Bikes: '96 Litespeed Catalyst, '05 Litespeed Firenze, '06 Litespeed Tuscany, '20 Surly Midnight Special, All are 3x10. It is hilly around here!

Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun
Get a pack of these from your auto parts store and swap the valve out from an old tube.
TR VC 2 Screwdriver Type Valve Cap - Tire caps - Tire Hardware | Miltonindustries.com

They have a version that actually is supposed to act as a seal.

Possibly, the valve may just need to be tightened.
These caps with a built in valve core wrench are available at almost any auto parts store and the auto accessory department of any big box store. I've seen some with a rubber gasket inside the cap and I think that's the type intended to slow or stop a valve leak.
HillRider is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 07:06 PM
  #12  
Homebrew01's Avatar
Super Moderator
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 21,987
Likes: 1,169
From: Ffld Cnty Connecticut

Bikes: Old Steelies I made, Old Cannondales

Originally Posted by Bill Kapaun

Possibly, the valve may just need to be tightened.
That was my first thought. Try the simplest option first.
__________________
Bikes: Old steel race bikes, old Cannondale race bikes, less old Cannondale race bike, crappy old mtn bike.

FYI: https://www.bikeforums.net/forum-sugg...ad-please.html
Homebrew01 is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 10:12 PM
  #13  
alcjphil's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,655
Likes: 2,253
From: Montreal, Quebec
Originally Posted by ammarolli
I filled up a bathtub with a water and then I put the tube in the water to see where the tube would make bubbles.
The tube only bubbled around the valve and I could also hear air escaping from the valve.
The tube does not go 100% flat it still holds tiny bit of air.
Are the bubbles coming out around the valve or through the valve? The former could mean that the valve stem is leaking at the base where it is bonded to the rest of the tube. The latter could be nothing more than a valve core that needs to be tightened up
Pay closer attention to where the bubbles are coming from
alcjphil is offline  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 10:31 PM
  #14  
Andrew R Stewart's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,373
Likes: 5,516
From: Rochester, NY

Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB

Originally Posted by alcjphil
Are the bubbles coming out around the valve or through the valve? The former could mean that the valve stem is leaking at the base where it is bonded to the rest of the tube. The latter could be nothing more than a valve core that needs to be tightened up
Pay closer attention to where the bubbles are coming from

Which is why I mentioned that the valve stem could be coming in bonded to it's "rubber" jacket. Andy
Andrew R Stewart is online now  
Reply
Old 01-12-17 | 10:34 PM
  #15  
alcjphil's Avatar
Senior Member
20 Anniversary
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 6,655
Likes: 2,253
From: Montreal, Quebec
Originally Posted by Andrew R Stewart
Which is why I mentioned that the valve stem could be coming in bonded to it's "rubber" jacket. Andy
I just thought that quoting the OP might emphasize that it is important to look closely at where the bubbles are coming from
alcjphil is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-17 | 08:43 AM
  #16  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Reykjavík

Bikes: Trek Crossrip 2 2017, Cube Cruve Pro 2015 and Berlín Dutch Bike 3 speed 2014

I don't know what's wrong with my bike but the new tube leaked air aswell and it was a slow leak. Went to LBS and got a new tube for free, cleaned the tire and got the most dirt of the rim strip before installing the new tube. Let's see if the tire and tube are going to hold air.

With the leaky valve tube the air came out of the valve.
ammarolli is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-17 | 09:49 AM
  #17  
drlogik's Avatar
Senior Member
Titanium Club Membership
10 Anniversary
 
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 2,093
Likes: 591

Bikes: '87-ish Pinarello Montello; '89 Nishiki Ariel; '85 Raleigh Wyoming, '16 Wabi Special, '16 Wabi Classic, '14 Kona Cinder Cone, 2023 Surly Disk Trucker

Whenever you buy a Schraeder tube, snug-up the valve core with a valve core wrench. Get one at the auto parts store if you don't have one. Test the core under water before you mount it to the bike (I stick it down into a cup of water) and have a few extra valve cores in your tool box and carry a couple in your seat bag too. Keep the caps on to keep the valve clean and operating correctly.

I understand that running presta and Schrader valves with the caps on goes against the grain and is (quote) "un-cool" but to heck with that. If you want to keep the valves in good shape run caps. Besides, if any rider looks down upon caps, well, it's plain stupid. Really.
drlogik is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-17 | 01:56 PM
  #18  
noglider's Avatar
aka Tom Reingold
Titanium Club Membership
15 Anniversary
Community Builder
Community Influencer
 
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 44,320
Likes: 6,605
From: New York, NY, and High Falls, NY, USA

Bikes: 1962 Rudge Sports, 1971 Raleigh Super Course, 1971 Raleigh Pro Track, 1974 Raleigh International, 1975 Viscount Fixie, 1982 McLean, 1996 Lemond (Ti), 2002 Burley Zydeco tandem

Once or twice, I fixed this by removing it and reinstalling it.
__________________
Tom Reingold, tom@noglider.com
New York City and High Falls, NY
Blogs: The Experienced Cyclist; noglider's ride blog

“When man invented the bicycle he reached the peak of his attainments.” — Elizabeth West, US author

Please email me rather than PM'ing me. Thanks.
noglider is online now  
Reply
Old 01-13-17 | 02:32 PM
  #19  
JohnDThompson's Avatar
Old fart
Titanium Club Membership
20 Anniversary
Community Builder
 
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 26,404
Likes: 5,339
From: Appleton WI

Bikes: Several, mostly not name brands.

Originally Posted by richart
Valve cores are cheap, just replace it.
Chances are, you can fish one out of the trash at your LBS.
JohnDThompson is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-17 | 04:04 PM
  #20  
Thread Starter
Senior Member
 
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Reykjavík

Bikes: Trek Crossrip 2 2017, Cube Cruve Pro 2015 and Berlín Dutch Bike 3 speed 2014

The new tube I installed does leak air and it's really slow leak through the valve core I think. I installed the spear tube I got. Let's see if the tube is holding air like it's should tomorrow it seems to be doing that.

I'm going to buy a vale tool and see if I can fix the broken tube I got.
ammarolli is offline  
Reply
Old 01-13-17 | 05:29 PM
  #21  
Banned
 
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 43,586
Likes: 1,380
From: NW,Oregon Coast

Bikes: 8

Simple solution, a valve core tool-schrader cap as a matter of course, is nice to have on 1 wheel , of the bicycle.
fietsbob is offline  
Reply
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Mad Darsh
Bicycle Mechanics
22
10-06-14 04:15 PM
dolphin62
Singlespeed & Fixed Gear
13
09-21-11 10:38 AM
clockwork247
Bicycle Mechanics
7
09-03-11 02:10 PM
lazybear
Bicycle Mechanics
4
08-12-11 01:05 PM
MK313
Bicycle Mechanics
10
05-02-11 12:10 AM

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off



Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.