Small Pliers
03-13-22, 10:56 AM
#51
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Ok. Giving advice is one thing. Making multiple posts to push your opinion because others have a different opinion is another. Self-awareness indeed.
03-13-22, 11:07 AM
#52
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So, we have your opinion about how other people are not supposed to express their opinions. It doesn't get any more self-unaware than that.
03-13-22, 12:12 PM
#54
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03-13-22, 04:41 PM
#55
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I am not sure what solution you think I was looking for? I was just posting about the small little pliers I found cheap at Walmart and felt that others might use them or want them also. I just added why I wanted pliers for the stem lock nut. The failure I had on a non-threaded stem was that the rim cut into the rubber stem and it failed leaving me with no way to patch that tube while on a multi-day ride with minimal tools/supplies. I did have a back up tube, but always hope to patch first on a flat.
Last edited by themp; 03-13-22 at 04:46 PM.
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03-13-22, 04:45 PM
#56
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With a schrader valve I can understand wanting to use the valve stem nut. Cliffordk suggested purple locktite. I would use that.
As for the pliers, I’m not a fan of those, especially cheap ones.
Over the years I’ve run across thin stamped steel open/closed box wrenches that are sometimes supplied on items where “some assembly is required.”
I’d measure the nut size and Google/amazon/eBay to find one that fits. Cut the length to fit your bag if you have to.
They are cheaply made but would probably work better than those pliers, and take up the same room as a metal tire lever.
John
As for the pliers, I’m not a fan of those, especially cheap ones.
Over the years I’ve run across thin stamped steel open/closed box wrenches that are sometimes supplied on items where “some assembly is required.”
I’d measure the nut size and Google/amazon/eBay to find one that fits. Cut the length to fit your bag if you have to.
They are cheaply made but would probably work better than those pliers, and take up the same room as a metal tire lever.
John
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03-13-22, 04:53 PM
#57
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This applies to your replies as well but you lack the self-awareness to realize it.Indicating that the nuts aren't necessary is useful information. Even to the OP, who is expending more effort that he might need to to use them.
Again, why go through using locktight on the nuts and having to carry pliers do deal with manufactured problem? If that doesn't make sense, why create a post that suggests that other people do the same thing?
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03-13-22, 05:04 PM
#58
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The problem was that my rim cut the rubber valve stem when I attached the pump and then the tube failed. It was a tube that had many miles on it, and for me and my pump, the stem would flex as I attached the pump. I assume this flex is what cut the valve stem. I decided to move to a metal stem and nut as I ride multi-day trips that are quite isolated and remote. I feel more secure riding with a metal stem. You may say I am making a mountain out of mole hill, but that is your opinion. I wonder what the reason might be that tube manufacturers make a metal threaded valve stem with nut?
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03-13-22, 06:26 PM
#59
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Yah Indyfabz, I think I know what your saying
Those little nuts come in handy for all sorts things.
Those little nuts come in handy for all sorts things.
Last edited by Doug64; 03-13-22 at 10:29 PM.
03-13-22, 06:45 PM
#60
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Lighten up. Sometimes you feel like a nut. Sometimes you don’t. You know what I’m sayin’?
03-13-22, 07:25 PM
#61
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The problem was that my rim cut the rubber valve stem when I attached the pump and then the tube failed. It was a tube that had many miles on it, and for me and my pump, the stem would flex as I attached the pump. I assume this flex is what cut the valve stem. I decided to move to a metal stem and nut as I ride multi-day trips that are quite isolated and remote. I feel more secure riding with a metal stem. You may say I am making a mountain out of mole hill, but that is your opinion. I wonder what the reason might be that tube manufacturers make a metal threaded valve stem with nut?
03-14-22, 01:18 AM
#62
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03-14-22, 06:25 AM
#63
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The problem was that my rim cut the rubber valve stem when I attached the pump and then the tube failed. It was a tube that had many miles on it, and for me and my pump, the stem would flex as I attached the pump. I assume this flex is what cut the valve stem. I decided to move to a metal stem and nut as I ride multi-day trips that are quite isolated and remote. I feel more secure riding with a metal stem. You may say I am making a mountain out of mole hill, but that is your opinion. I wonder what the reason might be that tube manufacturers make a metal threaded valve stem with nut?
Like I said, none of the bikes in my garage have a threaded valve stem and therefore, no nut. Maybe to control vibration? One of my rims makes a vibration with the stem and I put a little piece of electrical tape to make it quiet. Anyway, that is my best guess.
03-14-22, 08:55 AM
#64
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I was only posting on small pliers that are easy to carry on a bicycle bag. I was not suggesting that other people use thread locker on the stem valve nut. I was just stating why I need the small pliers and what for. For me, I find that the thread metal valve stem with nut is much more substantial than a non-threaded valve stem. And for me the valve nut would loosen over time as I ride on a lot of gravel trails.
For most people (you might be the rare exception), the best course of action is to not use the nut in the first place.
People might actually find the suggestion of these pliers useful but, almost always, not to remove loctited tube nuts,
The problem was that my rim cut the rubber valve stem when I attached the pump and then the tube failed. It was a tube that had many miles on it, and for me and my pump, the stem would flex as I attached the pump. I assume this flex is what cut the valve stem. I decided to move to a metal stem and nut as I ride multi-day trips that are quite isolated and remote. I feel more secure riding with a metal stem. You may say I am making a mountain out of mole hill, but that is your opinion. I wonder what the reason might be that tube manufacturers make a metal threaded valve stem with nut?
Last edited by njkayaker; 03-14-22 at 09:15 AM.
03-14-22, 10:45 AM
#66
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03-14-22, 01:11 PM
#67
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03-14-22, 02:00 PM
#68
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Another great thread on presta and schrader valves!
So far tubeless set -ups are missing in this discussion. Valve nuts are currently essential parts of a tubeless system.
Pliers are good for cinching down leaky tubeless valve stems. That said, it is too easy to over torque them and destroy the seal I've done that.
There are Schrader tubeless set ups too. I have a bike set up with them.
Another aspect missing from this conversation are pump head types and pump styles and the effect nuts and valves have on them.
But what I want to bring up are the issues with removable valve cores. Both Schrader and Presta require special wrenches, tools, to remove and install them. I carry these in my repair kit. Pliers can be used on presta cores in an emergency. Finer needle nose pliers will work on Schrader valve cores.
Furthermore, it is possible to over-torque valve cores! That's not good. Some valve stems are made from soft aluminum, to save weight, and perhaps mostly for pretty anodized colors. The aluminum ones need to be treated with more care.
Someone else can go into the choice of stem length and the role that rim tape plays in the equation! There's a lot to go wrong there too.
So far tubeless set -ups are missing in this discussion. Valve nuts are currently essential parts of a tubeless system.
Pliers are good for cinching down leaky tubeless valve stems. That said, it is too easy to over torque them and destroy the seal I've done that.
There are Schrader tubeless set ups too. I have a bike set up with them.
Another aspect missing from this conversation are pump head types and pump styles and the effect nuts and valves have on them.
But what I want to bring up are the issues with removable valve cores. Both Schrader and Presta require special wrenches, tools, to remove and install them. I carry these in my repair kit. Pliers can be used on presta cores in an emergency. Finer needle nose pliers will work on Schrader valve cores.
Furthermore, it is possible to over-torque valve cores! That's not good. Some valve stems are made from soft aluminum, to save weight, and perhaps mostly for pretty anodized colors. The aluminum ones need to be treated with more care.
Someone else can go into the choice of stem length and the role that rim tape plays in the equation! There's a lot to go wrong there too.
03-14-22, 02:18 PM
#69
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...
But what I want to bring up are the issues with removable valve cores. Both Schrader and Presta require special wrenches, tools, to remove and install them. I carry these in my repair kit. Pliers can be used on presta cores in an emergency. Finer needle nose pliers will work on Schrader valve cores...
But what I want to bring up are the issues with removable valve cores. Both Schrader and Presta require special wrenches, tools, to remove and install them. I carry these in my repair kit. Pliers can be used on presta cores in an emergency. Finer needle nose pliers will work on Schrader valve cores...
These Schrader valve caps I learned about when I was a teenager, I think they were common back then? Over the years have actually used them a few times, probably not enough to actually justify my OCD about having them though. If anyone is unfamiliar with them, they can be found in any autoparts, and most Wallmart type places.
Last edited by Camilo; 03-14-22 at 02:24 PM.
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03-14-22, 02:21 PM
#70
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I always used the nuts until I bought a tube without a threded stem. If I had knew of BF then I could have started an awesome thread !! I decided not to use a nuts when I built up my Ti bike because I didn't want to scratch my uber sexy Dura Ace wheels !!
03-14-22, 05:09 PM
#71
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You can pry these nuts from my cold, dead hands.
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03-14-22, 06:24 PM
#72
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03-19-22, 06:13 PM
#73
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And yet another thread devolves into squabbling over something totally inconsequential. Time to put it to bed.
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03-20-22, 06:49 PM
#75
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i carry a leatherman micra tool for the pliers, but this model only seems to be made with scissors now. i tighten stem nuts finger tight, but the pliers could be used to break the slip link on my chain, squish something , or as an emergency roach clip.
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