Do I need to use a dust cap?
03-26-24, 09:34 AM
#26
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I asked if it has ever happened, and you told me what it would be like if it did happen. So far, the answer is no, it hasn't happened on a bike.
Cars go faster and farther, so I use valve caps there.
When I was a bike shop mechanic, I used valve caps only because customers think the job isn't done unless the caps are there. I believe they don't help anything at all. Of course, they don't hurt anything, either except, as @79pmooney points out, they are extra work.
Cars go faster and farther, so I use valve caps there.
When I was a bike shop mechanic, I used valve caps only because customers think the job isn't done unless the caps are there. I believe they don't help anything at all. Of course, they don't hurt anything, either except, as @79pmooney points out, they are extra work.
I have had it happen recently on my Ural motorcycle. I loosened the valve core to let the air run through it then retightened, which seemed to have worked, but I still may have to replace it. It's ridden off road occasionally, and I had a lot of mud and gritty dirt all over it. It had a bad cap. I have also had it happen on my old mountain bike.
Keep in mind, the cap is not just for dirt, moisture can cause corrosion which can be bad for the valve as well.
Last edited by phughes; 03-26-24 at 12:15 PM.
03-26-24, 10:05 AM
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I asked if it has ever happened, and you told me what it would be like if it did happen. So far, the answer is no, it hasn't happened on a bike.
Cars go faster and farther, so I use valve caps there.
When I was a bike shop mechanic, I used valve caps only because customers think the job isn't done unless the caps are there. I believe they don't help anything at all. Of course, they don't hurt anything, either except, as @79pmooney points out, they are extra work.
Cars go faster and farther, so I use valve caps there.
When I was a bike shop mechanic, I used valve caps only because customers think the job isn't done unless the caps are there. I believe they don't help anything at all. Of course, they don't hurt anything, either except, as @79pmooney points out, they are extra work.
Last edited by phughes; 03-26-24 at 12:13 PM.
03-31-24, 06:48 AM
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Oy vey.
Again, that's hypothetical.
I see I'm not succeeding at asking a question clearly.
Has anyone seen any of this happen on a bicycle?
Please answer the question I ask, not the one you want to answer. If you use words such as could, would, or should, you're not doing it right.
Again, that's hypothetical.
I see I'm not succeeding at asking a question clearly.
Has anyone seen any of this happen on a bicycle?
Please answer the question I ask, not the one you want to answer. If you use words such as could, would, or should, you're not doing it right.
Similarly looking at the Presta valve design, it is obvious that it is less likely to be a problem without a dust cap.
03-31-24, 07:56 AM
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Aesthetically they help a great deal IMHO. A presta stem looks better without the cap and a Shrader valve looks shabby.
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03-31-24, 05:51 PM
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I use dust caps because my bikes look "unfinished" with exposed stem threads.
Here's my BMX with a set 45ACP spent casings for caps. Happens to be my favourite HG cal.....
Here's my BMX with a set 45ACP spent casings for caps. Happens to be my favourite HG cal.....
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