Presta Valve Doesn't Release
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Presta Valve Doesn't Release
I recently bought new tubes for my road bike; I've been using presta valves for a year or so with no problems. One of the tubes I bought fills up fine and without incident. The other one seems to have a problem with the pin. I unscrewed the valve, but it refuses to release (and, thus, is not possible to fill). Even after unscrewing the valve I cannot push down on the pin--there's no give whatsoever.
Has anyone ever had this problem? Any help would be appreciated.
Has anyone ever had this problem? Any help would be appreciated.
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I work for a Specialized shop, before this I was a steady customer of a shop affiliated with said brand. You did not mention the brand of tube so I have to infer. Realize I may be wrong and am working off my own experience.
With Specialized presta tubes, I have had issues with the valve being overly tight and requiring a bit of "love" before usage. Being a shy sort of fellow I always have performed this "love" in private. But customers who have questioned the leanings of said valves have asked me and I have admitted to said love. So here before Sheldon Brown and God I will admit the details of my affair with said tubes.
In my shameful experience, Specialized presta tubes require a bit of work in before customer use. When I install one I routinely partially inflate the tube, then work the valve 6 or 7 time to make sure it is loose. Only after this "foreplay" do I install this tube and inform the customer that his "needs" have been met.
I hope this is helpful/humorous
With Specialized presta tubes, I have had issues with the valve being overly tight and requiring a bit of "love" before usage. Being a shy sort of fellow I always have performed this "love" in private. But customers who have questioned the leanings of said valves have asked me and I have admitted to said love. So here before Sheldon Brown and God I will admit the details of my affair with said tubes.
In my shameful experience, Specialized presta tubes require a bit of work in before customer use. When I install one I routinely partially inflate the tube, then work the valve 6 or 7 time to make sure it is loose. Only after this "foreplay" do I install this tube and inform the customer that his "needs" have been met.
I hope this is helpful/humorous
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Something seems to have been lost in translation when production of the historically simple and reliable Presta Valve moved from France and Italy to the Orient. These days valves commonly get stuck closed and need to be [I]burped[/I], or manually opened to unstick them so they work normally. They'll then work fine for a while, but it isn't at all rare to have to burp them every time you go to top off the tire.
My best guess (just a guess) is that the sealing material is changed to something softer which binds, but regardless of the cause, I consider it a shame that makers can forget how to make so simple a thing.
IMO this is a minor (though annoying) issue compared to the other change, which is how they're affixed to the tube. Valve/tube failure was just about unheard of until 5 years ago (I've been riding PV tires since 1965). Now the single most common cause of flats for me is an unrepairable leak where the tube is bonded to the base of the valve. I can almost count on this kind of failure within a week of any ride in the rain.
My best guess (just a guess) is that the sealing material is changed to something softer which binds, but regardless of the cause, I consider it a shame that makers can forget how to make so simple a thing.
IMO this is a minor (though annoying) issue compared to the other change, which is how they're affixed to the tube. Valve/tube failure was just about unheard of until 5 years ago (I've been riding PV tires since 1965). Now the single most common cause of flats for me is an unrepairable leak where the tube is bonded to the base of the valve. I can almost count on this kind of failure within a week of any ride in the rain.
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Last edited by FBinNY; 04-03-13 at 08:03 PM.
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Don't forget, you'll probably need to burp it every time you top off.
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Jeff, what brand tubes do you use. Other than my tubulars, I haven't found tubes with burpless valves for a few years.
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FB
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Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
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When I top them off, I see the gauge go to about 50 psi on the first stroke, then the valve opens and it goes to where it "should" be. Except for the one- it'll go to 150psi without budging.
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Every bike shop in town sells Bontrager or Kendra tubes and nothing else. I have to burp the Kendra every single time. I rarely had such an issue with the Bontrager tubes, of corse they were a $1.25 more as well. For personal reasons I don't do business with Trek or buy Trek products so its Krappy Kendra's for me.
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Every bike shop in town sells Bontrager or Kendra tubes and nothing else. I have to burp the Kendra every single time. I rarely had such an issue with the Bontrager tubes, of corse they were a $1.25 more as well. For personal reasons I don't do business with Trek or buy Trek products so its Krappy Kendra's for me.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
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WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
#12
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The best tubes I have ever used are Schwalbes... and if you use Shraeder ales on any bike theirs are like the old fashioned ones with a fully threaded stem and lock nuts.
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Every bike shop in town sells Bontrager or Kendra tubes and nothing else. I have to burp the Kendra every single time. I rarely had such an issue with the Bontrager tubes, of corse they were a $1.25 more as well. For personal reasons I don't do business with Trek or buy Trek products so its Krappy Kendra's for me.
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Thanks for the info. Unfortunately I'm 100% PV, except for my car and a few pneumatic devices. If their PVs were made the same way, I'd buy 50 tomorrow.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
FB
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
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