I just discovered that the slow leak that I have been suffering from for a couple of months (wasn’t bad enough to troubleshoot it till now) was caused by a valve extender that had loosened up over time and was leaking. Do the Silca extenders and their elastomeric gasket work? Have these made your life just the teeniest better? Are there other extenders out there that are worth looking at? I’m specifically looking at the RVC version.
you could also use a little plumbers tape as well…
I have the silca extenders that came with my enves … so far so good.
you could also use a little plumbers tape as well…
+1
Plumbers tape on all threads related to tires is an ounce of prevention that will save you pounds of pressure
As for Silca extenders, I have the ones that came with my FLOs. I like them when they are free. I see zero advantage of them over any other cheaper valve extender that would make me want to pay for them. They leak just like any other extender if you don’t install them right and use some plumber tape. Plus, the rubber that is supposed to reduce the rattle melted, broke down, and eventually stripped off when pushing the extender through my wheel.
I’m sensing a theme here.
Last question…plumbers tape between the valve stem and the extension, the extension and the valve core, or both?
Always use Teflon tape to secure extenders. That will both seal the threads and prevent the extender from coming loose.
The silca valve extenders (silver, removable cores) are much better than my Zipp extenders (black) that I’ve had forever
The best change is the ability to “seal” a normal pump or co2 pump to the valve extender when inflating. With the Zipps, I wouldn’t always get a good seal.
I am finishing up my first season with them with no problems. Mechanic at LBS said Teflon tape not necessary, so far do good.
I don’t remove the valve core. I use plain tube extensions that you put on over the valve & leave the valve open inside. This is so I can easily reuse the extension in a race or if I get a flat on a ride. I put plumbers tape on the tube & then screw the extension on over it. Here’s a great writeup about extensions:
Thanks for the link, obviously it still something people think about 4 years after this was written 
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