manutd

I just bought some tubes from the LBS but I didn't realize until I got home that they have fully threaded valve stems. I have heard that these are not god for your pump head.

How bad is this for my pump? should I bring them back and get regular stems or should I just keep the ones I have?

thanks
JL

rufvelo

Makes no difference.

BetweenRides

Yes.

I don't think it really matters as long as you don't saw the pump head up and down on the rubber grommet. Some very good tubes have threaded stems (Conti, for one).

Momentum

The pump head only engages the threads that the valave cover screws onto, so the rest of the stem makes no difference.

recursive

This must depend on the pump, because mine can "engage" as far up the valve stem as I care to push it.

slowandsteady

I hate threaded stems. What is the purpose anyway?

recursive

I never use them either.

As far as I can tell the purpose of the threads is to accept that little nut that holds the stem in position, although it seems completely unnecessary to me.

vantassell

Should i be tightening that nut? or leaving it loose?

recursive

The only thing I've ever done with them is throw them in the garbage.

If you want to use it, don't tighten it too much. I have a friend who likes to tighten them. He's flatted a couple of tubes doing that.

spdrcr5

Leave it off entirely. No need to use it.

johnny99

Michelin makes nice tubes with stems that are not threaded.

operator

That nut is 100% useless and should never be left on the tube after finished pumping (I see this quite often). In fact you don't even need it to start pumping unless you have some really crazy aero rim where you need every bit of valve head you can get.

Makes it more aero

sleazy

ditto. i truly loath those things. with a silca pump... they bite particularly hard... and ive had quite a few flats when the stem pulls away from the tube.


so there you are- 6:35 in the morning... dressed, bottled, ready to hit the morning ride... you go to top off the tires and pppppppppppphhhht....

you've now just missed the ride.


crap, i hate those things.

NoRacer

I'm with you guys, regarding NOT having threads on the stem, but if you do accidentally get some, the nut screwed on loosely makes it easier to push a pump head on to the stem (one-handed instead of using two), especially if you have deeper rims.

recursive, I'm a Pista user, too! Great pump.

FIVE ONE SIX

i personally tighten them a bit when i put the pump head on, so the valve doesn't too far into the rim to the point it will damage it, i had that happen once when i didn't ride for a few weeks and the tire was low on air. i loosen it after i'm doing inflating it though, you don't want it tight during the ride, because your tube may need some give and it won't get any if the valve had no where to go. it will more times than not cause a flat...

Doctor Who

Are you sure about that?

Tappets

personally i think the threaded stems make a whistling noise while riding that keep the aliens away.

i've never had a problem with flatting a tire from leaving those things on there. of course, i don't tighten them much, just barely snug 'em. i've also not used them with the same results... no flats.

i suppose your bike would be lighter without 'em - and that's what it's all about, isn't it? ;-) some people will pay thousands to lose two grams and you can do it for free!

i'll go remove them now...

ekimyel

What tubes do you get that are not threaded? All my LBS's have threaded stems. Can you point me to a link of some tubes that are threadless? I would love to get my hands on some. Thanks.....

I use the nut to hold onto when I'm pulling the pump off the valve. Then I take it back off. My pump really clamps down on the threaded tubes and I've blown tubes before by trying to pull the pump off the valve....

ElJamoquio

I've had non-threaded in the past, loved them. Can't seem to find any these days.

I just toss the allegedly-useful nut in the garbage, as well.

ViperZ

Vittorias are threaded only enough for the cap. Axiom also have some nice valve stems that are silver with low thread counts.

I too hate fully threaded stems... One time after installing a new Continental tube (fully threaded), when I tried to pull off the pump head, it would not release, and I ended up pulling the valve stem right off of the tube

I have tried some silicone on my pump head, but it doesn't help. As such, I try to stay away from fully threaded valves.

cpb406

+1

cydewaze

This topic comes up around 2-3 times per year, and it's a personal preference.

For me, I toss out the non-threaded stem tubes, because they rattle like crazy. The locknut is the only thing that keeps me from digging my eardrums out with an ice pick.

But some people don't have/mind the rattling problem. Do what works best for you.

CyLowe97

I've got a Wrench Force pump that has a threaded connector on it for Presta valves. I've only had threaded tubes to this point, so not even sure how it would work with non-threaded valve stems.

ViperZ

1 or 2 wraps of black electrical tape at the base of the valve solves the rattle and makes the fit to rim nicer..

FIVE ONE SIX

Michelin Air Comp Ultra Light, the best non-threaded tubes i've ever used...