Are Presta valve caps uncool or what?
02-04-18, 11:23 AM
#26
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
Riding a bike without lock nuts and caps on the valves is like walking around with untied shoelaces. Sure, it can be done. But it's a display of sloppy workmanship and lack of attention to detail.
Yes, I said that.
Yes, I said that.
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02-04-18, 12:00 PM
#27
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02-04-18, 12:04 PM
#28
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?? Not to argue but I've never, ever had this happen. That's in over 30,000 miles this decade will carrying two spares.
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02-04-18, 12:11 PM
#29
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
And don't get me started on the ridiculous anti-aerodynamic claims made by cap haters. The threads on the valve catch a LOT of air, and therefore create massive wheel turbulence and imbalance. Covering as much of the threading as possible with a long smooth valve cap pays huge dividends towards improved handling. Also, valve caps are shaped like a bullet. A BULLET for crying out loud. Helloooooooooo?
Riding without caps is for bicyclist with limited or poor bike handling skills. They are not sensitive enough to notice the dramatic improvements in handling that caps provide.
02-04-18, 12:15 PM
#30
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And don't get me started on the ridiculous anti-aerodynamic claims made by cap haters. The threads on the valve catch a LOT of air, and therefore create massive wheel turbulence and imbalance. Covering as much of the threading as possible with a long smooth valve cap pays huge dividends towards improved handling. Also, valve caps are shaped like a bullet. A BULLET for crying out loud. Helloooooooooo?
Riding without caps is for bicyclist with limited or poor bike handling skills. They are not sensitive enough to notice the dramatic improvements in handling that caps provide.
Riding without caps is for bicyclist with limited or poor bike handling skills. They are not sensitive enough to notice the dramatic improvements in handling that caps provide.
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02-04-18, 12:26 PM
#33
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Totally unnecessary.
02-04-18, 12:41 PM
#34
Calamari Marionette Ph.D
You wanna talk weight and aero? OK, let's go there.
The big wrench flats on the outside of spoke nipples are square (non-aero) and add a ton of unnecessary weight. That's why before I build my wheels, I put dozens of nipples in a lathe and machine them down to a smooth cylinder shape. Then I weigh them and only use the ones that fall within a weight tolerance of .000000003 grams. Balance matters. A LOT! Then I use the screwdriver slot in the head of the nipples to true my wheels.
Also, I make my own carbon fiber valve caps and titanium lock nuts. The lock nuts are not knurled. Drag and turbulence reduction, again.
Riding at the level that I do, it's easy for me to understand why the average rider wouldn't notice these things.
02-04-18, 12:45 PM
#35
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Again, riding at such a low performance threshold and under such mild conditions, it's completely understandable that you would not notice the benefits.
You wanna talk weight and aero? OK, let's go there.
The big wrench flats on the outside of spoke nipples are square (non-aero) and add a ton of unnecessary weight. That's why before I build my wheels, I put dozens of nipples in a lathe and machine them down to a smooth cylinder shape. Then I weigh them and only use the ones that fall within a weight tolerance of .000000003 grams. Balance matters. A LOT! Then I use the screwdriver slot in the head of the nipples to true my wheels.
Also, I make my own carbon fiber valve caps and titanium lock nuts. The lock nuts are not knurled. Drag and turbulence reduction, again.
Riding at the level that I do, it's easy for me to understand why the average rider wouldn't notice these things.
You wanna talk weight and aero? OK, let's go there.
The big wrench flats on the outside of spoke nipples are square (non-aero) and add a ton of unnecessary weight. That's why before I build my wheels, I put dozens of nipples in a lathe and machine them down to a smooth cylinder shape. Then I weigh them and only use the ones that fall within a weight tolerance of .000000003 grams. Balance matters. A LOT! Then I use the screwdriver slot in the head of the nipples to true my wheels.
Also, I make my own carbon fiber valve caps and titanium lock nuts. The lock nuts are not knurled. Drag and turbulence reduction, again.
Riding at the level that I do, it's easy for me to understand why the average rider wouldn't notice these things.
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Steel is real...and comfy.
Steel is real...and comfy.
02-04-18, 01:12 PM
#37
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Asking what is "cool" is unimaginably uncool. You are toast, socially.
02-04-18, 01:13 PM
#38
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If you like your valve caps, you can use your valve caps.
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02-04-18, 01:23 PM
#40
Erik the Inveigler
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I keep them on my heavy steel bike just to piss the "serious" cyclists off. It works.
However, when I'm out on my "serious" CF bikes, I won't stand for them.
However, when I'm out on my "serious" CF bikes, I won't stand for them.
02-04-18, 01:28 PM
#41
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Thread does not disappoint! 
Right. I always wonder what other "shortcuts" the valve cap deniers are taking on the rest of their bike. 
Some say that caps are just too much trouble when they get a flat. I had a friend like this. After showing him how to remove and reinstall the cap he agreed that it wasn't difficult at all! Now he's as cool as me.
So why do all new tube and bike manufactures supply them? Surely they could save $$$ and just delete 'em.
Some say that caps are just too much trouble when they get a flat. I had a friend like this. After showing him how to remove and reinstall the cap he agreed that it wasn't difficult at all! Now he's as cool as me.
So why do all new tube and bike manufactures supply them? Surely they could save $$$ and just delete 'em.
Last edited by AlmostTrick; 02-04-18 at 01:31 PM.
02-04-18, 01:56 PM
#42
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Someday, I'll get around to cleaning and vacuuming the mudroom where I keep in-rotation bicycles. I anticipate filling up a whole vacuum canister with Presta valve caps. I tell myself that they're not cool, but the real reason they get left off is because they seem to disappear.
If only we could get those springs on QR axles to stop being cool...
If only we could get those springs on QR axles to stop being cool...
02-04-18, 02:05 PM
#43
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Ya'll fumble with your jam nuts and caps when changing a tube at 17°F.
I'll save a seat for you at the coffee shop.
I'll save a seat for you at the coffee shop.
02-04-18, 02:24 PM
#46
Me duelen las nalgas
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02-04-18, 02:25 PM
#47
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These are the kinds of threads that makes Bike Forums worth reading. I'll be disappointed if it doesn't go over 10 pages though.
02-04-18, 02:33 PM
#48
Me duelen las nalgas
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And don't get me started on the ridiculous anti-aerodynamic claims made by cap haters. The threads on the valve catch a LOT of air, and therefore create massive wheel turbulence and imbalance. Covering as much of the threading as possible with a long smooth valve cap pays huge dividends towards improved handling. Also, valve caps are shaped like a bullet. A BULLET for crying out loud. Helloooooooooo?
Riding without caps is for bicyclist with limited or poor bike handling skills. They are not sensitive enough to notice the dramatic improvements in handling that caps provide.
Riding without caps is for bicyclist with limited or poor bike handling skills. They are not sensitive enough to notice the dramatic improvements in handling that caps provide.
02-04-18, 02:36 PM
#49
Me duelen las nalgas
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