What's wrong with valve caps?
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- Bearbonesnorm
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What's wrong with valve caps?
Why do people remove the valve caps from Presta valves? Surely they serve an important fuction in helping keep crap out of what is actually a delicate mechanism?
Is it some kind of fashion statement or is there a practical purpose behind it I've overlooked?
Genuine question.
Is it some kind of fashion statement or is there a practical purpose behind it I've overlooked?
Genuine question.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
I just tend to lose them.
So a statement of carelessness rather than anything else
So a statement of carelessness rather than anything else
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
Laziness I think for me, I start with them and then lose them and don't replace. Never taken them off with the idea getting rid they just disappear...
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
Tradition. Rotating mass and all that.
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
I use them. Alloy ones to stop them splitting too.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
Is it? You learn summat new every day.Tradition
Give over.Rotating mass and all that.
May the bridges you burn light your way
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
I keep losing them!
In fact I've lost all of them
In fact I've lost all of them
- whitestone
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Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
I thought it came from road cyclists - the valve cap and locking nut slow down tyre changes.
In my case this is swamped by the extended bout of swearing at the whole procedure
In my case this is swamped by the extended bout of swearing at the whole procedure
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Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
To put air in?Bearbonesnorm wrote:Why do people remove the valve caps from Presta valves?
Seriously though, I can't say I've noticed this as a "thing". I assume you think it's fairly widespread?
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
I'm trying to find another blue one, so I can easily find them in the long-long grass when I have to fix a p*ncture, save the sheeps's toothypegs. I have one, but I've lost the other :(
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
When the valve is closed, there's no exposed risk, and therefore no need for the cap?
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
I have a blue one!
I use them to protect the valve and keep it clean, seems stupid not to, being what they're for...
I also put the little locking nut thing on.
I use them to protect the valve and keep it clean, seems stupid not to, being what they're for...
I also put the little locking nut thing on.
- Bearbonesnorm
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Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
Seems to be. Perhaps more a roadie thing?Seriously though, I can't say I've noticed this as a "thing". I assume you think it's fairly widespread?
May the bridges you burn light your way
- JohnClimber
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Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
I find them useful for preventing punctures when they are wrapped up tight and in my luggage so that the sharp metal doesn't cut into the rubber inner tube.
The ones on the wheels are there in case I need to wrap them up after a puncture elsewhere in the inner tube
The ones on the wheels are there in case I need to wrap them up after a puncture elsewhere in the inner tube
- summittoppler
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Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
Weight saving?
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Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
Faster repair of flats if racing, but otherwise no good reason.
I don't have them or locknuts on most of my bikes - I guess they are one less thing to lose.
I don't have them or locknuts on most of my bikes - I guess they are one less thing to lose.
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
Used to do it as a road racer, and CX racer, and MTB racer. Still do it. Habit now.Bearbonesnorm wrote:Seems to be. Perhaps more a roadie thing?Seriously though, I can't say I've noticed this as a "thing". I assume you think it's fairly widespread?
At least I don't have to suffer Schrader valves.... *shudder* The horror, the horror!
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
Have to have them. Ocd. I have put air in a tyre and lost the cap in the dark. Ended up taking the cap off a spare tube.
'Because' is sometimes an acceptable answer to me!
'Because' is sometimes an acceptable answer to me!
- voodoo_simon
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Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
Blame the road cyclists!
The mechanics in work (both road/cross riders) never put them on Annoys customers so much!
The mechanics in work (both road/cross riders) never put them on Annoys customers so much!
Re: What's wrong with valve caps?
This.slarge wrote:Faster repair of flats if racing,
Also, on my 'nice' road bike, it's not really dirty enough generally to need valve caps, so cod in lazy and road tyres need pumping up often, I don't bother with them....(and Less rotating mass-tee here!)
On shocks and aircon systems, valve caps often act as a secondary seal - make sure you have your caps on those!