Leaking Tubes

[Mr MacPhisto]

I just wanted to find out if anyone else has had a problem with the valves of Fredenstein tubes leaking???

 

2 of my recent punctures that were replaced with new tubes have now resulted in the tyres going flat because of air leaking out the valves???

[scotty]

I have not heard about a problem with those tubes,  but i only use Specialized.

[Evan Andreou]

Had a similar problem with Vredestein last year, which was a bit disappointing given the price. Kenda and Bontrager have given absolutely no hassles

[widget]

Its a common problem with Vrendenstein tubes Mr Mac, the biggest issue is the fact that the valve has a removeable stem,....... screwing on a valve cap LOOSENS this stoopid stem and you loose air.

 

Best solution if you use these tubes is to tighten the stem with a pair of pliers and a dab of locktight (ie) flippin tight and locked in.!!

 

.......my suggestion however concurs with the majority of others, "toss them", and use Michelin or Conti or Kenda or Specialised any other toob WITHOUT a removeable stem.

widget2007-02-21 08:19:35

[MichH]

Had the same problem on Tuesday morning on my MTB with new Specialised pre-Slimed tube, valve was loose and tyre slowly going flat. we changed it, but I think the solution is to tighten the cap

[Mudsimus]

So widget...why doesnt all schraeder tubes leak? After all they all have removeable cores? I never had problems with vredenstein tubes.

[widget]

So widget...why doesnt all schraeder tubes leak? After all they all have removeable cores? I never had problems with vredenstein tubes.

 

..maybe you spend the time to tighten them down well, most of us have better things to do with our time.

 

........but seriously, removable stems are a hangover from the early 19th century when people bothered to repair valves, today they are as redundant as the horse whip - they require constant attention if you want to avoid leaks. 

[Mudsimus]

Might be...but most people/clients prefer them...for obvious reasons.

[MichH]

Mud Dee, the schraeder valve is inside and the thread is in no way attached to the valve cap. On my one, if you turn the cap to remove it, it can unthread the valve itself.

 

A hassle, but I don't know that I'd cause it obsolete.

[SwissVan]

 

Leave the caps off - save some weight and no loose valve stems...

[Mudsimus]

 

Leave the caps off - save some weight and no loose valve stems...

 

Thats probably why I never had this problem...

[SwissVan]

 

Yep I "learnt" to leave them off because it was 2  things less (actually 4 if you count both wheels) to do when pumping up your tyres.. especially when the race is just about to start...

[widget]

Mud Dee' date=' the schraeder valve is inside and the thread is in no way attached to the valve cap. On my one, if you turn the cap to remove it, it can unthread the valve itself.

 

A hassle, but I don't know that I'd cause it obsolete.

[/quote']

 

Yes, quite correct MichH - on the Presta type valve the cap screws down onto the removeable stem, but because both work in opposite directions the stem screws out when the cap screws down - not very bright really.!

 

Perhaps I should have clarified my statement that I was mainly referring to the Presta type valves.

 

On the Schraeder type Mud Dee, the core is not effected by the cap as it is an internal fit and needs special tools to remove it and or tighten it down, hense seldom an issue.

 

Schraeder valves are also used in automative applications which have stringent laws to govern the valve and so have been perfected over time, Presta valves aint so lucky and also usually operate under a much higher pressure (10 bars) where as schraerers are in most cases only used up to a max of 5 or 6 bar, although the application could work at higher pressures.

 

I guess one could leave the cap off swiss, but these stupid stems are so prone to loosening up they do so after just loosening the stem nut to allow pumping of the tyre.

 

Very irritating, I cant see why anybody needs these problems, especially as the tecnology is plain ancient.

 

[Mudsimus]

I understand widget. The only solution is to tighten those valve cores..you actually get a special tool for the presta valves. I used tubbies with removable cores for years, Running them up to 12 bars and I never had any problems. In the end it comes down to some simple maintanance.