When I started riding around 2016 and purchased my first real bicycle it came with Schrader valves on the wheels. My neighbor who introduced me to riding had a real nice Trek road bicycle with Presta valves. When we would begin a ride he would always take off his Presta caps unscrew the stem and then tap the stem to release some air. Then connect the pump, inflate and then screw down the stem and put on the cap. For me I only had to take off the cap and connect the pump, inflate and then put on the cap. Fast forward to a month ago and I purchased a new set of wheels with Presta valve holes(I know I can drill them out for Schrader). And I have read on the forum that a lot of folks do not use the Presta caps. But, for me I am kind of a meticulous person and have to put on the cap. But the Presta caps are pretty poor as they seem to strip and not always thread correctly. So, I found the process of pumping up my new tires a little tedious and actually found it to be a chore until I got these:

https://granite-design.com/products/juicynipple

These Granite caps are very well machined, thread on securely, and look cool to me. When my bicycle is on the stand now I get great satisfaction seeing them and pumping up my tires now is not a chore. The little things....

I have those caps but I forget to put them back on and they get lost. so gave up.

I leave presta caps on tubes when they are folded up and smashed inside my on-bike tool kit. Once installed, no caps for me. I have not yet experienced a situation where I thought they would be any benefit at all. If you like the way they look on your bike, have at it.

Presta caps is #11 on the "This is how I know you don't ride" list...

What a great idea. With all the time saved vs. regular valve caps, I could finally finish the novel I’ve been working on for 16 years.

The valve core removal function is cool if someone didn't already have a tool for that.

First thing I do is throw the caps away.

Barry

I keep then, it keeps dirt and other nasties off the 'business parts' of the valve so the bits and pieces won't impact the valve next time I want to put a little air in the tire. Yes, they are plastic, but you don't have to screw them down tight, just enough to where some resistance starts.

I take 'em off the new tube and put it in a jar. One of these days I'll figure out what they are good for. By then I trust I'll have enough.

If I have them, I use them until they go missing. Then I don't worry about it till I get a new tube.

I only use the caps on the mountain bike because they might help keep mud off of the valve stem. On the road bikes, no caps or knurled nuts.

My mtb, which I bought in 2018, still has the original orange valve caps, despite a zillion flats and some new tubes.

Ditto. On the road bike, they just add an unnecessary step.

Yes on the mountain bike, no on the road bike. Now that I’m running tubless, I expect that’ll eventually be no on the mountain bike too.

Can you point me to the "list"? Did an internet search and looked around on the forums with no luck...

Reminds me of Stimpy after brushing his teeth.

I use simple plastic Presta valve caps. They give me no trouble. Do I need them? I don't know. I don't ride in mud and stuff on the road, so likely they don't' protect from anything. But if nothing else they look a little more finished.

I don't understand what the OP was saying about his friend unscrewing this that and the other thing before airing up his tires. If you have a cap on, you take it off, then open the Presta valve and put air in or out. Close the valve and put a cap back on. Takes seconds.

I do remember when I first started using Presta valves, somehow finding something I didn't like about them, compared to Schrader valves. I now have no idea what that was.

sometimes the sealant can cake on heavy enough that makes removing the PV core a roadside event. With the integrated VC tool, that saves time. Folks may think it is not needed to remove it for a roadside purpose, & they might be right in having that opinion.

However, what works for me may not suit someone else. Life do be like that sometimes.

Ah, yes. the time and effort saved by not using caps. The wattage savings and efficiency are mind boggling.
I, instead am an avid presta cap fiend. In fact, I hover popular biking routes and when I see parked bikes with no caps , I sneak over and screw caps on every naked valve. Then I distance myself and watch the show begin as riders scratch their heads in amazement on how caps spontaneously appeared.

A plastic presta valve cap can be hacked into a functional schraeder adapter, with a knife or even better using concrete as a grinding surface. And many zipper pulls can be used as presta core removal tools.

These things make me happy.

Is making a list of at least 11 things that says “this is how I know that you don’t ride”, number 12 on the list or number one? I don’t know because I don’t make lists that judge other people.

If you come into cycling through a club - less common today, and less common in the US than elsewhere - you learn the ways of cycling. It's a sub culture, and yes it has historical social rules. Most of which are learned by observation. No presta caps. It's a trifling thing, but it's a thing.

absolutely yes to presta caps

and bonus points if you use Air B tubes with the red caps - and the red caps match the red tops on the water bottle cages

What does it mean that I've been fully aware that the no caps thing is a thing, but I choose to still leave the caps on?

I wondered who's been leaving those all over the road shoulder.

haven't used the 'caps' or 'lock ring' in decades...never had a problem...
beware the 'green' caps...slime tubes in use...yuck...
'flicking' the stem is to release it in order to fill the tube...
use the tube type you prefer, i don't care...

Are Presta valve caps uncool or what?