I recently picked up a pair of 404 clinchers pretty cheap (sorry to all those tubular fans out there). One question - do you get tubes with really long valve stems (if so which do like?) or add extensions? I know Zipp makes extensions, but has anybody used them?
Thanks for your help,
Brian
I’d use the valve extenders, then if you get a flat on the road or at a race you are not limited to long stem tubes to get you out of the jam. Make sure to use some teflon tape to prevent leakage.
Vredestein makes 80mm valve tubes that you can get at excelsports.com or biketiresdirect.com (I forget which) for about 10 bucks. The fact that I don’t have to mess with extensions outweighs the cost for me. Of course I only use my 404 clinchers for commuting to work on, never for racing. Nyuck nyuck.
I’ve used the simple form of extensions on mine. You just leave the valve top piece unscrewed and screw on the extension (as said above, use a little teflon tape for a snug fit).
For races, I have my spare tube (tire, actually) already fitted with an extension so it’s ready to install. Don’t wanna be fiddling with extensions in a race.