I have to admit there were tears when I switched from my hybrid to a road bike. Missed rides because my DH wasn't home to pump up low tires (frustrating--I'm darn independent--shouldn't need a boy to air up my tires!) and once I sheared the whole valve off because the cap was on too tight and when I tried to twist it, it ripped the tube. I've gotten used to them now--one trick is to press on the valve with your finger to make sure it's open before you hook up the pump. Sometimes they are sticky. That trick seemed to help me a lot.