On my rear wheel (running 404’s) I have to tighten the valve extender down to fill the tire without leaking. That makes sense but if I leave it that way it will slowly leak. I found this out the hard way during an Oly race this weekend when I finished at about 40psi. Last night I backed the extender out a little after filling the tire and it held pressure fine.
Is there an easy way to fix this?
teflon plumbers tape.
Wrapped the threads with teflon tape?
What kind of valve extender? Typically the valve extender requires the removal of the valve core which is then relocated to the end of the valve extender so that the extender is firmly secured to the inner tubes original valve stem. In this manner the only thing that would be loosened after removing the protective valve cap is the valve stem! If the extenders you are using do not work that way, get new valve extenders that relocate the valve stems as in this image from the Tufo webiste:
I had that problem and I don’t know what to do with teflon tape, I fixed that problem by buying tubes with 80mm valves. no more extenders
I’m using the type that came with the Zipps. They don’t relocate the stem but appear to just screw down over it. My LBS glued the tires on so I’m not real familiar with the extenders.
Should you put them on with the top of the stem screwed open? I would think you would have to. Then air pressure must push it down to allow air in the tire?
Yes leave the valve core open…then thread on the extender…use plumbers tape…the core should not leak, but some do.
Get rid of those hooooooorrible valve extenders and get the ones that relocate the valve core (like Tufo or Vittoria), you can use the gauge on your pump, and you won’t have to use plumber’s tape.
What the bunny said.