3alarmer 

...there's a circumcision joke in here somewhere, but it won't be me who makes it.

veganbikes

I guess you got cut off?


Presta valves are fine, no need to damage them just pull the pump head straight off no need to jiggle it around. If you are rough with things than yes they can break or at least get damaged, but you just don't have to do that.

My bikes are in various states of having caps and not having them. I have a couple that do happen to have aluminum caps only because they look nice beyond that I don't really care. I might replace if I have it just by force of habit working in a shop but if it cracks or I drop it I will just go without and no issues.

I do however recommend something like this. Never a bad thing to make sure your core is tight and useful for tubeless set ups.

I would love to see a more modern valve at this point but Presta works just fine and I don't really have issues so not really a need and no want for new standards because new standards suck

drlogik 

I agree with the others who say they use them to keep the valve stem clean. That's why I use them. Will they keep the tube from leaking? Maybe, but probably only keeping the valve seat clear from dirt which would prevent a good seat and cause a slow leak.

The only time I had a problem with a presta valve leaking is when I bend the stem. I just bend it back and it it leaks I replace the tube and keep the leaky tube as a spare.

Valve caps are cool. Like the old SNL skit, "More Cow Bells" with Christopher Walken, express yourself!

Rdmonster69

Red is def fastest !!

Jeff Neese

Incorrect. Presta valve caps are strictly to keep the valve clean, same as with a Schrader valve cap. The bike might be caked in mud but at least you can pump up your tires after removing the cap. I use the aluminum ones, only because the plastic ones always crack.

seypat

Those valve caps appear to be a color other than red.

Rdmonster69

If I put red valve caps on it might shred the very fabric of space/time !! I actually sold this bike (still mad at myself for that) to fund an equally insane bright red Ducati Monster 1200R. I hope to find another 1098/1198 model in the future.

nomadmax 

And make it easier to find the stem when topping up the tires

GlennR

My Zipp wheels have the decal at the valve stem opening. Also many cyclists put the tire logo at the valve stem for that reason. So unless you need triple redundancy, you can leave off the cap.

BobbyG

+1 check to see if the tube has a removable core, and if it does, is it loose?

BTW, I just now discovered that some Schrader valves also have removable cores and that removing the cores lets you inject sealant into the tube or tubeless tire without gumming up the valve.

I still run tubes on all my bikes and I have never used sealant so none of this really affects me except when I have inadvertently unscrewed and loosened a presta valve core. Accidentally loosening a Schrader valve core would be a lot less unlikely, and I have yet to do it.

tcs

This is almost as fun as a chain lube thread.

Chuck M 

I see using the nut as a jamb nut to secure the cap will prevent lost caps in the future.

79pmooney

???? That valve cap looks black. Jeff beat me. I answered before reading the next post. (This is a thread about valve caps, not frame paint.)

Rdmonster69

Red is the fastest no matter where its at !!

GlennR

Yes it is.

rsbob 

That’s why the cops I know call it “Arrest me red”. Full disclosure, the last sports car I sold was red and somehow managed to avoid tickets no matter how much I deserved them. Sports bike people will understand but others can save your breath. Now back to the important matter at hand.

Rdmonster69

If it was an "S" version I would have never sold it. I bought a Trek Domane SLR 6 this summer. If I would have added a little to it I could have bought an well cared 08 1098S ....at least the Domane is red too !!

rsbob 

My wife was stopped for speeding downhill on a blue-purple Cannondale. She was doing 38 in 30 zone. When discussing the ticket she remarked that she really wasn’t trying today and can usually hit 45. he was not amused.

ofajen

That’s a great hack! I just keep a metal valve adapter in the patch kit I keep in the saddle bag.

Otto

rsbob 

AAMOF one S was a 73 but it was white and the other was a red 82 “S”C. Now my ‘sports car’ is a 2021 Italian steed - a Bianchi Infinito which lives next to my 88 Campy Chorus Bianchi Compione del Mundo.

Camilo

I'm not positive, but every Schrader valve, I believe, have removable cores that can loosen up. That's why the metal Schrader valve caps have the core tightener on the top. To tighten a loose core and/or to remove and rapidly deflate.

rekmeyata

For more than 40 years I've never kept the caps or the nut that Presta valves come with on the valves, and never had a problem. I did have issues with a couple of cheap valves found on Slime tubes I used once. However, on my touring bike I leave the cap on since that bike will see a lot more rain and dirt, so I felt I would rather be safe than sorry while far from home.

Anyway, all Presta tubes come with the cap and nut, you don't need to keep the old ones unless they're some specific color you like you can't find on the new tube.

woodcraft

I keep some on hand, just in case...

majmt 

Never used it but the built in spoke wrench is clever. I like that schrader hack too.

rsbob 

Rule 60. From the good book: https://www.velominati.com/

“Ditch the washer-nut and valve-stem cap.You are not, under any circumstances, to employ the use of the washer-nut and valve-stem cap that come with your inner-tubes or tubulars. They are only supplied to meet shipping regulations. They are useless when it comes to tubes and tires”. Amen