I like valve covers and stem washers!
09-26-11, 10:49 AM
#26
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Denver
Posts: 459
Bikes: Secteur, Camber, Trek 930
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
Seems like they should combine these two parts into one piece, connected by a leash. The valve cover would be attached to the stem nut. That way you don't forget to put it back on after pumping air into your tire, er tube. Hmm, sounds like a billion dollar idea. 
09-26-11, 01:22 PM
#27
Senior Member
I don't use the stem nuts, as they don't work very well on aero profile rims, and I prefer smooth valve stems for reasons already mentioned. I like keeping the valve covers though. At least until you lose them, they do give some protection, and since I have a Lezyne pump on one of my bikes, having a clean, undamaged presta thread is important to get the chuck on and off. Also, when the tube is rolled up, the cover prevents the stem from stabbing things inside your seat bag or jersey pocket, not limited to the tube itself, or the baggie the tube is in (if you like to talc your tubes).
09-27-11, 08:08 AM
#28
Banned
Join Date: Apr 2010
Location: Lincoln Ne
Posts: 9,924
Bikes: RANS Stratus TerraTrike Tour II
Mentioned: 46 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3352 Post(s)
Liked 1,056 Times
in
635 Posts
People that worry about the weight of a valve cap or a PV retainer nut tickle me. I use the caps to keep the stem clean, and I keep one stem nut on the bike to help when changing a tube after a flat. The nut keeps the stem fully out of the rim so it doesnt get pushed in during inflation. It also helps to keep the tube centered over the stem hole in the rim.
09-27-11, 08:42 AM
#29
Ridin' South Cackalacky
Join Date: May 2010
Posts: 1,918
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
People that worry about the weight of a valve cap or a PV retainer nut tickle me. I use the caps to keep the stem clean, and I keep one stem nut on the bike to help when changing a tube after a flat. The nut keeps the stem fully out of the rim so it doesnt get pushed in during inflation. It also helps to keep the tube centered over the stem hole in the rim.
10-07-11, 01:21 AM
#31
Senior Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Denver
Posts: 459
Bikes: Secteur, Camber, Trek 930
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
10-07-11, 03:13 PM
#33
Junior Member
Join Date: Apr 2010
Posts: 7
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
I discovered a different issue. I had smooth stems on my Specialized Roubaix and decided to balance the front wheel one day to minimize vibration on fast descents. It required a surprising amount of solder wrapped on spokes opposite the valve stem. Then I got a flat and the only tube I had on hand had a threaded stem and "washer" (I'd call it a nut). Mounted it all up and found that the wheel balanced perfectly without any weight on the opposite side. Appears the rim was built specifically to balance a threaded stem + nut. Otherwise I'd go with smooth just because it's easier to put on the pump head. No weight saving if I need to add weight to make the wheel balance...
10-07-11, 03:43 PM
#34
Banned
Stem nuts and valve caps are not PRO...
they ride clincher tires when the sponsor has something to prove.
one thing that adds a benefit, O rings, put them under the ring nut ,
and the nut wont unscrew itself
Yes there is a joint bridge in the rim opposite the valve stem hole.
10-07-11, 04:03 PM
#35
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 18,138
Bikes: 2 many
Mentioned: 13 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1266 Post(s)
Liked 323 Times
in
169 Posts
Someone has to support the guy that runs the molding machine for the caps. He has a family to support, use the plastic caps.
10-07-11, 11:58 PM
#36
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Melbourne, Oz
Posts: 9,547
Bikes: https://weightweenies.starbike.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=152015&p=1404231
Mentioned: 15 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1529 Post(s)
Liked 718 Times
in
510 Posts
10-09-11, 07:34 AM
#38
Senior Member
Join Date: May 2008
Location: North, Ga.
Posts: 2,401
Bikes: 3Rensho-Aerodynamics, Bernard Hinault Look - 1986 tour winner, Guerciotti, Various Klein's & Panasonic's
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 159 Post(s)
Liked 375 Times
in
162 Posts
Just before every ride, as routine maintenance, I use air pressure to blow the accumulating dust & dirt off the valve stem. A secondary benefit is that the tires stay at the recommended pressure.
01-03-12, 04:43 PM
#42
Junior Member
Join Date: Jan 2012
Location: Eastern Oregon
Posts: 10
Bikes: Green Phantom, Schwinn Twin, Apple Krate, Schwinn College, Trek 520, Cannondale hard tail, Haluzak recumbent
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 0 Times
in
0 Posts
01-03-12, 05:05 PM
#44
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: St Peters, Missouri
Posts: 30,225
Bikes: Catrike 559 I own some others but they don't get ridden very much.
Mentioned: 16 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1572 Post(s)
Liked 643 Times
in
364 Posts
Whenever I install a bike computer (and I've done hundreds) I try to place the magnet on the top part of the wheel when it stops spinning. That's generally near the valve stem. The hole for the valve stem makes that side lighter. The steel pins that hold the rim seam together make that side heavier.
01-03-12, 05:07 PM
#46
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,859
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12784 Post(s)
Liked 7,697 Times
in
4,086 Posts
01-03-12, 05:10 PM
#47
Banned
QBP had some aluminum p/v caps, but now I wonder where they can be acquired ..
they stopped, or I haven't seen them listed for a while..
they stopped, or I haven't seen them listed for a while..
01-03-12, 05:13 PM
#48
cowboy, steel horse, etc
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: The hot spot.
Posts: 44,859
Bikes: everywhere
Mentioned: 72 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12784 Post(s)
Liked 7,697 Times
in
4,086 Posts
I wish they'd make presta Tireflys. That would make me happy.
01-03-12, 05:40 PM
#49
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: New Rochelle, NY
Posts: 38,728
Bikes: too many bikes from 1967 10s (5x2)Frejus to a Sumitomo Ti/Chorus aluminum 10s (10x2), plus one non-susp mtn bike I use as my commuter
Mentioned: 140 Post(s)
Tagged: 1 Thread(s)
Quoted: 5793 Post(s)
Liked 2,593 Times
in
1,437 Posts
Send me $0.60 and I'll mail you three or four. use paypal and send to sales(at)Chain-L com. Mark it as Personal so I don't lose half of it to paypal fees.
__________________
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.
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.
01-03-12, 06:15 PM
#50
Mechanic/Tourist
There is absolutely no reason anyone should need to convince someone who is/isn't using valve caps or stem nuts to change their ways. Regarding valve caps I've not seen any significant difference myself in 40+ years of riding presta. As for stems, it depends on your usage - pumping technique for one but more importantly how well you keep your tires aired. If you aren't conscientious and allow them to get low on a regular basis the tube can creep. If you have a tight valve nut the tube can eventually stretch enough at the base of the stemp to cause a crescent shaped tear. Without a valve nut you will see the valve start to tilt at an angle, letting you know you are not keeping the tires aired and that you need to reinstall the tube properly.
Last edited by cny-bikeman; 01-04-12 at 10:14 AM.