Valve stem question

[NoNo]

I got a flat (actually, my tire exploded as I was wheeling the bike to the door) last month and used up my last tube. I remember when I bought the tubes the guy at the bike shop asked if I had long or regular stems. I wasn't sure, so I told him what bike I had (Specialized Dolce) and he got me some long stemmed tubes. What's the difference? Are regular stems that much shorter? It just seems harder to find long stem tubes, and they never seem to come in those multi-packs that Performance and other sites have. Can I get away with regular stems?

[newfsmith]

If your wheels have a deep V, it is harder to get the pump head on the stem if they are the regular length. Not impossible, but frustratingly harder. Long stems are a real advantage if you have to change a tube on a ride.

[DebW]

There are stem extenders you can screw onto regular valves to make them longer. I carry one in my on-bike repair kit just in case you need to use a standard valve in a deep V rim. I wouldn't use this technique on a regular basis, but it could save the day if you're in a pinch.

[bike4ever]

Generally, there are three valve stem lengths. They often come in 38mm, 48mm, and 60mm. The 60mm are the longer ones. Many shops stop the middle size, but I know we try to keep in stock a small number of the 60mm. I'll be honest, I really have never paid attention to what Performance carries. Since I work in an LBS, online bike companies are taboo.

[NoNo]

Thanks for the replies. So in theory I can use a regular length stem, but it just makes inflating it a pain. I have to pick and choose what I get for my LBS. Things are tight, I'm sorry. If I can get 2 or 3 tubes online for the price of one there, I'm going online. I've dumped plenty of money there, it's not like I don't show my face.

[OakLeaf]

How deep is your rim? I very much doubt if deep aero rims came stock on that bike. 2 cm longer than the depth of your rim is plenty IMO. Especially if you save the little nut that comes with most tubes, that holds the stem in place and makes inflation from zero a whole lot easier. How long is the stem on your old tube? Did it seem okay to you?

You don't want stems that are too long, either. They're heavy, for one thing, harder to carry in your seat pack, and easier to tear off because there's just that much more leverage between the pump head and the tube end. Somebody gave me a long stem tube last year (as a replacement for one I'd given him) and I HATED the thing on my Mavic Aksium rims - stock on my Cannondale Synapse so likely pretty similar to what you have.

[DebW]

Thanks for the replies. So in theory I can use a regular length stem, but it just makes inflating it a pain. I have to pick and choose what I get for my LBS. Things are tight, I'm sorry. If I can get 2 or 3 tubes online for the price of one there, I'm going online. I've dumped plenty of money there, it's not like I don't show my face.

If you need a long stem, then a shorter stem will not work. The pump head simply will not fit far enough onto the stem to inflate the tube. Be sure you have a long enough valve stem before you're on the road with a flat (though carrying a valve extender could save you).

[bike4ever]

NoNo - I'm not knocking shopping on line. I do that for many non-bike purchases. I just was stating that I did not have experience with the Performance product.