Presta tubes with solid valve core?
#1
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From: Sonoma County, California
Bikes: Moots; Calfee Luna Pro; Co-motion Carerra
Presta tubes with solid valve core?
Does anybody make 70x25 tubes anymore with a non-removable valve core? I'm ready to dump my Lezyne portable stand-up pump, and a CO2 assembly I wanted to buy also cautioned use with removable valve cores, since unscrewing it might pull them out. I used to request tubes with solid valve cores at the bike shop, but now I'm told no one is making them anymore? When I look at tubes online, the valve core type is not mentioned in the specs, except for the Specialized ones.
#4
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Does anybody make 70x25 tubes anymore with a non-removable valve core? I'm ready to dump my Lezyne portable stand-up pump, and a CO2 assembly I wanted to buy also cautioned use with removable valve cores, since unscrewing it might pull them out. I used to request tubes with solid valve cores at the bike shop, but now I'm told no one is making them anymore? When I look at tubes online, the valve core type is not mentioned in the specs, except for the Specialized ones.
I've thought about using loc-tite on them, although next time I'm due, I'll probably just purchase tubes with non-removable core like Mulberry suggested.
#5
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From: Portland, OR
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Not an answer to your question but a question from me. Are the valves unscrewing because you are using a screw-on chuck? If so, why not just get a pump with a locking chuck instead or change the chuck out in favor of a Silca chuck? Good locking chucks last a long time and unlocking them to insert and remove means the gaskets last along time. Granted, not all locking pumps are good. The Zephal bike mounted ones are as is the floor Specialized. They have worked so well for me I haven't ventured further. I did spend 15 years screwing and unscrewing a high quality Italian floor pump. Finally got tired of wasting so much time doing something that took less than a second on bike pumps. (And yes, I unscrewed a few valves with that pump.)
Ben
Ben
#6
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Not an answer to your question but a question from me. Are the valves unscrewing because you are using a screw-on chuck? If so, why not just get a pump with a locking chuck instead or change the chuck out in favor of a Silca chuck? Good locking chucks last a long time and unlocking them to insert and remove means the gaskets last along time. Granted, not all locking pumps are good. The Zephal bike mounted ones are as is the floor Specialized. They have worked so well for me I haven't ventured further. I did spend 15 years screwing and unscrewing a high quality Italian floor pump. Finally got tired of wasting so much time doing something that took less than a second on bike pumps. (And yes, I unscrewed a few valves with that pump.)
Ben
Ben
Silly first-world problems, I know. 😅
#8
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From: Kentucky
Bikes: 06 Lemond Reno, 98 GT Timberline
Just a thought (hopefully not a useless one!)-I wonder if using a presta-schrader adapter would work--the adapter has a larger "tube" which might not grip the presta core as tightly?
#9
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From: Memphis, TN
Bikes: A few older US made Cannondales, a modern Soma Saga (no longer made, alas!), and one gifted crabon Specialized. Never enough.
Have you tried using a stem tool to tighten up the valve assembly? I love the Lezyne threaded pump connection, but had issues with valves flying out until tightening the valves. Have also used a small open ended wrench, although not sure the size off top of my head. No issues since then.
#10
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From: Eastern VA
Bikes: 2022 Fuel EX 8, 2021 Domane SL6, Black Beta (Nashbar frame), 2004 Trek 1000C for the trainer
I had the same problem. No matter how tight they would come out with the Lyzene pump. I used green low strength wicking Loctite. Working so far. Will get me through this batch of tubes I bought.
#13
Clark W. Griswold




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From: ,location, location
Bikes: Foundry Chilkoot Ti W/Ultegra Di2, Salsa Timberjack Ti, Cinelli Mash Work RandoCross Fun Time Machine, 1x9 XT Parts Hybrid, Co-Motion Cascadia, Specialized Langster, Phil Wood Apple VeloXS Frame (w/DA 7400), R+M Supercharger2 Rohloff, Habanero Ti 26
They also make valve core tools, I will on occasion check mine but I don't use thread on pumps often.
#14
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From: Foothills of West Central Maine
Bikes: 2007 Motobecane Fantom Cross Expert, 2020 Motobecane Omni Strada Pro Disc (700c gravel bike), 2021 Motobecane Elite Adventure with Bafang 500W rear hub drive
I've never had a removable core presta valve. I checked my stock of inexpensive tubes looking for a removable core so I could put some Slime in my rear wheel Gatorskin that I'm not sure I could change roadside without soapy water. Not a one in the lot. Maybe cause when I see a deal on tubes I buy a bunch, and probably haven't bought any in a few years.
#15
All the Continental tubes I've purchased on Amazon came with a non-removable valve core. Same for Kenda.
I always considered the removable core a premium feature, only available on more expensive tubes!
I always considered the removable core a premium feature, only available on more expensive tubes!
#16
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Interesting the 25-32 Conti's I just purchased most definitely do.
I got a CO2 inflator for if I have a puncture, and I did a practice with a gas cylinder and no matter how tight I did it up, it came out when I unscrewed from the inflator.
Don't want to go through this on the side of the road, so will check out the ones mentioned. Anyone know on Speicalized.
I got a CO2 inflator for if I have a puncture, and I did a practice with a gas cylinder and no matter how tight I did it up, it came out when I unscrewed from the inflator.
Don't want to go through this on the side of the road, so will check out the ones mentioned. Anyone know on Speicalized.
#17
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Joined: Mar 2015
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I've switched to 100% tubeless in recent years, so I've spent a lot of time unscrewing valve cores. It takes a tool and rather a lot of force! I've also got some pumps that screw on, and the forces involved are nowhere near enough to actually unscrew the core. Sounds like some lawyer wrote that warning label. Back in the real world, you can use removable-core tubes with no actual worries.
#18
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From: Mountain View, CA USA and Golden, CO USA
Bikes: 97 Litespeed, 50-39-30x13-26 10 cogs, Campagnolo Ultrashift, retroreflective rims on SON28/PowerTap hubs
I discovered that when I wore out the Presta side of the rubber washer in my frame pump and relied on an adapter until I found a New Old Stock example of my favorite frame pump which was too small but allowed me to scavenge the discontinued small part.
#19
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On my first long ride, I prepared and bought two continental tubes because they were expensive and seemed reliable. I even practiced at home changing the tubes, just in case. Had tools, good lezyne pump and two tubes with me.
At the farthest point in the ride, my first flat ever. No problem, since I prepared. I followed all the steps I prepared for at home, easy. Just as I want to unscrew after pumping 120 times to get good pressure, the core comes loose and the entire thing deflates.
Kept spirit up, tried again, 120 strokes later, same thing. Literally did this for 6-7 times over the course of about 1.5 hours, until it finally stayed on. Very happy at that point.
Attached the wheel, continued riding, 15 minutes later, the new tube is now also flat. Another hole. The same thing happened with the other continental tube, but this time the valve core exploded and flew away somewhere. I got home because a friend came to help with tubes.
Since then, I only buy michellin aircomp or airstop tubes. Actually haven't had a flat with them in months, solid tubes.
At the farthest point in the ride, my first flat ever. No problem, since I prepared. I followed all the steps I prepared for at home, easy. Just as I want to unscrew after pumping 120 times to get good pressure, the core comes loose and the entire thing deflates.
Kept spirit up, tried again, 120 strokes later, same thing. Literally did this for 6-7 times over the course of about 1.5 hours, until it finally stayed on. Very happy at that point.
Attached the wheel, continued riding, 15 minutes later, the new tube is now also flat. Another hole. The same thing happened with the other continental tube, but this time the valve core exploded and flew away somewhere. I got home because a friend came to help with tubes.
Since then, I only buy michellin aircomp or airstop tubes. Actually haven't had a flat with them in months, solid tubes.




