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08-16-10 | 01:05 PM

Daytrip

Thread Starter

Medicinal Cyclist

Joined: Aug 2008

Posts: 2,807

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From: Mohawk Valley/Adks, NYS

Bikes: 2003 Klein Q Carbon Race; 2009 Giant OCR-1

Plastic Valve Covers

Strictly for Freds?

08-16-10 | 01:15 PM

tagaproject6

Senior Member

Joined: Aug 2009

Posts: 8,552

Likes: 281

I keep mine on while stored in the saddle bag to keep from tearing into the tube. Otherwise, I don't have them on.

I do things without regard to how others judge it's Fredliness...

08-16-10 | 01:41 PM

FlashBazbo

Chases Dogs for Sport

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 4,289

Likes: 147

I use them for cyclocross and MTB -- just to keep mud away from the valve. Road bike? Not for me.

08-16-10 | 01:44 PM

Mr. Beanz

Banned.

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 19,894

Likes: 5

From: Upland Ca

Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem

I use them to keep the valves clean in an attempt to prevent damage to my orings in my pump heads. That's just me!

08-16-10 | 06:15 PM

GiantDefyGuy

At least I'm not a poseur

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 794

Likes: 0

From: New Orleans, USA.

Bikes: Giant Defy 3

You HAVE to use them because they came in the box! Why else would they be in there?

You're definitely supposed to use everything in the box except for those little washer things, because those are useless.

I'm just sayin'.

08-16-10 | 06:19 PM

Blackdays

Boom.

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 2,523

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From: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiantDefyGuy

wut

08-16-10 | 06:21 PM

datlas

Should Be More Popular

Joined: Dec 2007

Posts: 46,337

Likes: 11,830

From: Malvern, PA (20 miles West of Philly)

Bikes: 1986 Alpine (steel road bike), 2009 Ti Habenero, 2013 Specialized Roubaix

yes

08-16-10 | 06:23 PM

JaceK

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 613

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From: Saratoga, NY

Bikes: 2007 Trek Madone 5.9 (Shimano DA), 2008 Kuota Khan (SRAM Red), 2009 Giant OCR2 ( Shimano 105 ), Lynsky R340 ( SRAM Rival )

I use them, they reduce the aero-dynamic drag of the valve stem.

BTW: anyone know where I can find dimpled caps?

08-16-10 | 06:30 PM

Bianchigirll

Bianchi Goddess

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 28,977

Likes: 4,251

From: Shady Pines Retirement Fort Wayne, In

Bikes: Too many to list here check my signature.

I always try and use them, and while we are on the subject if anyone has some colored ones I am interested in them.

the alloy ones are cooler though

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“One morning you wake up, the girl is gone, the bikes are gone, all that's left behind is a pair of old tires and a tube of tubular glue, all squeezed out"

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08-16-10 | 06:33 PM

#10

Blackdays

Boom.

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 2,523

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From: Pittsburgh -> Cleveland -> San Francisco

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bianchigirll

I always try and use them, and while we are on the subject if anyone has some colored ones I am interested in them.

the alloy ones are cooler though

It looks like you have other problems...

08-16-10 | 07:03 PM

#11

paste_me

Ninja!

Joined: Feb 2009

Posts: 679

Likes: 0

From: Houston, Texas

Quote:

Originally Posted by GiantDefyGuy

???

08-16-10 | 07:07 PM

#12

midgetmaestro

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 3,362

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From: Columbus, Ohio

Bikes: Cervelo Soloist

Quote:

Originally Posted by tagaproject6

I keep mine on while stored in the saddle bag to keep from tearing into the tube.

This.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Beanz

I use them to keep the valves clean in an attempt to prevent damage to my orings in my pump heads. That's just me!

How dirty do you let your bike get??!

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08-16-10 | 07:12 PM

#13

DieselDan

Senior Member

Joined: Mar 2003

Posts: 8,521

Likes: 2

From: Beaufort, South Carolina, USA and surrounding islands.

Bikes: Cannondale R500, Motobecane Messenger

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Beanz

I use them to keep the valves clean in an attempt to prevent damage to my orings in my pump heads. That's just me!

Your fingers clean the crude off when you unscrew the nut.

The plastic caps really don't do anything on either Presta or Scharder valves.

08-16-10 | 07:15 PM

#14

GiantDefyGuy

At least I'm not a poseur

Joined: May 2010

Posts: 794

Likes: 0

From: New Orleans, USA.

Bikes: Giant Defy 3

I'm only kidding.

But I do use the plastic caps. I really don't have a good reason.

I don't use the little washers though. It seems like I get a flat by the valve stem every time I use one.

08-16-10 | 07:45 PM

#15

piette

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2006

Posts: 66

Likes: 0

From: Kaukauna WI

Bikes: Trek pilot 5.0 Trek 7.3 FX

I'm torn between the weight penalty they give vs is the aerodynamic efficiency they offer.

Jeff

08-16-10 | 08:36 PM

#16

canam73

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 6,411

Likes: 13

From: Haunchyville

Quote:

Originally Posted by Daytrip

Strictly for Freds?

More or less Fred than the fella I saw using the shrader converters so he could ride with his Harley style skull valve caps?

08-16-10 | 08:41 PM

#17

midgetmaestro

Senior Member

Joined: Jul 2009

Posts: 3,362

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From: Columbus, Ohio

Bikes: Cervelo Soloist

Quote:

Originally Posted by canam73

More or less Fred than the fella I saw using the shrader converters so he could ride with his Harley style skull valve caps?

My Dad did that (Trek)

They're gone now though...

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08-16-10 | 09:34 PM

#18

Keep SA Lame

Retro Dork

Joined: Jul 2010

Posts: 283

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From: TX

Bikes: Cherry '81 Schwinn Le Tour, '07 Gary Fisher MTB and a bianchi road something or other

Can you get them with little LED's in them??

08-16-10 | 09:38 PM

#19

canam73

Senior Member

Joined: Jun 2007

Posts: 6,411

Likes: 13

From: Haunchyville

They had little red eyes, but it was sunny so I can't say if they lit up or not.

08-16-10 | 09:44 PM

#20

StanSeven

Administrator

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 13,655

Likes: 2,706

From: Delaware shore

Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Beanz

I use them to keep the valves clean in an attempt to prevent damage to my orings in my pump heads. That's just me!

I ride in wet and dirt and the valve stems are the same as riding on dry, clean roads, Stems just don't get gunked up.

08-16-10 | 09:55 PM

#21

Mr. Beanz

Banned.

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 19,894

Likes: 5

From: Upland Ca

Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem

Quote:

Originally Posted by StanSeven

I ride in wet and dirt and the valve stems are the same as riding on dry, clean roads, Stems just don't get gunked up.

Well your experienceis different than mine. I ride dry 99% of the time and mine do. As do the spoke nipples. I clean those off every so often s well to prevent damage.

Quote:

Originally Posted by midgetmaestro

How dirty do you let your bike get??!

Well I do 5,000-7,000 miles per year and my bikes are immaculate, so I guess it works.

08-16-10 | 10:21 PM

#22

StanSeven

Administrator

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 13,655

Likes: 2,706

From: Delaware shore

Bikes: Cervelo C5, Guru Photon, Waterford, Specialized CX

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr. Beanz

Well your experienceis different than mine. I ride dry 99% of the time and mine do. As do the spoke nipples. I clean those off every so often s well to prevent damage.

Well I do 5,000-7,000 miles per year and my bikes are immaculate, so I guess it works.

Interesting. Perhaps its oily buildup from the asphalt and year round heat.

08-16-10 | 10:24 PM

#23

Mr. Beanz

Banned.

Joined: Dec 2005

Posts: 19,894

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From: Upland Ca

Bikes: Lemond Chambery/Cannondale R-900/Trek 8000 MTB/Burley Duet tandem

Quote:

Originally Posted by StanSeven

Interesting. Perhaps its oily buildup from the asphalt and year round heat.

Could be, it's like a thick dark chalk buildup.

08-16-10 | 10:56 PM

#24

Diegomayra

Too Fat for This Sport

Joined: Apr 2009

Posts: 698

Likes: 0

From: Northern California

Bikes: 2011 Cannondale Supersix

I use the yellow valve caps that came with the Continental race tubes... Love the flashy fredness!

If they're the black ones I don't use... If they have color they stay. Classes up the bike.