What's wrong with valve caps?

[Bearbonesnorm]

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.

[ianfitz]

I just tend to lose them.

So a statement of carelessness rather than anything else

[Matt]

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...

[GregMay]

Tradition. Rotating mass and all that.

[Solo]

I use them. Alloy ones to stop them splitting too.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Tradition

Is it? You learn summat new every day.

Rotating mass and all that.

Give over.

[benp1]

I keep losing them!

In fact I've lost all of them

[whitestone]

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

[ScotRoutes]

Why do people remove the valve caps from Presta valves?

To put air in?



Seriously though, I can't say I've noticed this as a "thing". I assume you think it's fairly widespread?

[Wilkyboy]

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 :(

[ootini]

When the valve is closed, there's no exposed risk, and therefore no need for the cap?

[Moder-dye]

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.

[Bearbonesnorm]

Seriously though, I can't say I've noticed this as a "thing". I assume you think it's fairly widespread?

Seems to be. Perhaps more a roadie thing?

[JohnClimber]

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

[summittoppler]

Weight saving?

[slarge]

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.

[GregMay]

Seriously though, I can't say I've noticed this as a "thing". I assume you think it's fairly widespread?

Seems to be. Perhaps more a roadie thing?

Used to do it as a road racer, and CX racer, and MTB racer. Still do it. Habit now.

At least I don't have to suffer Schrader valves.... *shudder* The horror, the horror!

[Justchris]

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!

[voodoo_simon]

Blame the road cyclists!

The mechanics in work (both road/cross riders) never put them on Annoys customers so much!

[Zippy]

Faster repair of flats if racing,

This.

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!