My first Flat!

[htfu]

I got a flat yesterday and had to call my husband. We are trying to fix it but we don't know what to do with the littel threaded ring thing on the valve? And we lost the cap? Can I buy extra caps? What do the caps do?

Thx. I feel like such an idiot.

[Eden]

The threaded ring and the cap are not at all necessary for the proper functioning of your tube! You can take them off and throw them away if you wish to, or keep them if you like, either way is fine. (I have some tubes that are threaded and some tubes that have no threads. I've yet to see any difference in the way they perform. In fact I usually leave the nut off of the threaded ones in any case)
Btw - you take the nut off the threaded tubes, install the tube and put the nut back on the outside to hold the valve stem tight against the rim if you want to keep it. The cap doesn't do much besides keep gunk out of the valve. It does not hold the air in.

[htfu]

Ok. Is the valve supposed to be really loose in the hole? It moves arond a lot.

Why do they put caps on the stems if it really doesn't do anyting?

[divingbiker]

Ok. Is the valve supposed to be really loose in the hole? It moves arond a lot.

You didn't happen to get a tube with a presta valve when you really need a schrader, did you?

I just tried to wiggle my valve and it doesn't move much at all.

[Eden]

Ok. Is the valve supposed to be really loose in the hole? It moves arond a lot.

Why do they put caps on the stems if it really doesn't do anyting?

Once you pump up the tire the valve usually doesn't move around too much, but it can be pretty wobbly when the tube is flat.

The caps will keep gunk out of the valve stem, but I've never had a problem with a valve gumming up so I usually just leave them off. On presta valves having a cap is probably a throw back from schrader valves, which gunk up easier.

[silver]

The little valve piece on the presta stem screws down tight. Then you unscrew it with your fingers when you pump air in. Then screw it back in again.

[OakLeaf]

The valve moves around side to side? (It shouldn't move laterally, and that probably means you do need a tube with a Schraeder valve.) Or in and out of the hole and a little pivoting when there's no air in the tire? (It should. The little ring is to keep it from doing that, but it's really non-critical, just makes it a little easier to install the tube and, I suppose, prevents further damage when the tube does go flat.)

When you put the new (or repaired) tube back on, check the inside of the tire for anything sharp. Not just at the site of the hole, because there could be bits of glass or whatever sticking through the tire that hadn't gotten far enough in to flat the tube yet. Check the rim strip on the inside of the rim to make sure it's properly seated and covering all the spoke nipples. And put a little baby powder in the tire. That'll make it easier to get the tube seated, and keep it from sticking to the inside of the tire later on. Sorry if you knew all that ;)

[Tuckervill]

If it's an old bike with 27" tires, you may have the larger hole in the rim to accommodate Schraeder valves, yet use a tube with a Presta valve. That's when it moves around a bit, and that's when you need the nut.

I keep the valve cap on because the Presta valves seem easy to open.

Karen

[Brandy]

I keep the valve cap on because the Presta valves seem easy to open.

Karen

Really? I've never had that issue. In fact, I never screw down my presta valves, they're always open.

[Tuckervill]

But with the Presta valve open, anything brushing against the pin just allows air to escape. I'm pretty clutzy and my family is not always careful when they are loading the car or what have you. So I wouldn't leave it open because the boy would put his helmet on it or something.

Oh well. :)

Karen

[sandra]

I have been curious about this. Can you use either a presta tube or a Schraeder and vice versa? Does that just depend on the opening of your wheel or what?

[TsPoet]

Can you go to your LBS or some local bike club or REI and get a tube change demo? Our local REI gives demos every spring, but I would think they'd do it anytime if someone asked.
Fixing a flat is EASY - but one of those things that can be really hard to figure out in the first place.
:rolleyes: there has to be a youtube video or something!

[TsPoet]

I have been curious about this. Can you use either a presta tube or a Schraeder and vice versa? Does that just depend on the opening of your wheel or what?

No, you can't. You can't use a presta in a schraeder because the tube will tear around the sharp hole. You can't use a schraeder in a presta because the stem won't fit through the hole.
You can use a Presta in a shraeder rim hole using an adapter, I've done this on my trike because I prefer presta valves.
http://www.hostelshoppe.com/cgi-bin/readitem.pl?Accessory=983921905

[sandra]

THERE IS a video. I've watched it. Maybe someone here will know the link.

[Brandy]

I've never seen a video, I used the Park Tools step by step the first time I changed one.

http://www.parktool.com/repair/readhowto.asp?id=100

[Brandy]

But with the Presta valve open, anything brushing against the pin just allows air to escape. I'm pretty clutzy and my family is not always careful when they are loading the car or what have you. So I wouldn't leave it open because the boy would put his helmet on it or something.

Oh well. :)

Karen

LOL. Whatever works, it's just been my experience that I typically don't have issues with leaving them completely open. It's funny though, whenever someone notices it they bend down to close it!

[indigoiis]

this is a great step-by-step guide you can print out and practice with.
I went to a trek wsd tour and watched the tour person do it, and they gave us this guide.

http://www.trekbikes.com/women_cycling_guide/questions.php?questionid=31