The Goldilocks Principle is under assault, balance is lost. Without balance, we are reduced to savages. Steerectile dysfunction is spreading like wildfire; socks are quickly becoming knee-highs and the line between shorts and knickers continues to blur.
We spend considerable time making everything on our loyal steed fit and look perfect. Bar tape and tire color are carefully coordinated to frame and decals; the tape is wrapped and finished expertly. Saddles are positioned with a spirit level. Cables are cut to the shortest length possible to allow for smooth and friction-free braking and shifting. Cable ends are trimmed to the shortest sensible length. Tires are mounted with labels mounted directly above the valve. And yet the valve stems themselves have recklessly been allowed to grow ever longer.
The Prophet and De Vlaeminck didn’t ride around with 5cm of valve stem sticking out of their rims. Granted, they only had one length to choose from, but that one length stems were made in was obvious: as short as possible. Valve stems need to be managed just like everything else on our bikes. They need to protrude from the rim enough to allow for a pump head to be securely attached to it; anything more is ugly and dead weight. (Incidentally, if you are using a pump with a screw-on head like a Lezyne or Silca, then this means all you need is the threads of the valve core plus a few millimeters to allow for the head to securely thread on.)
For those among us riding deep section rims, forget the long-stem inner tubes. Buy tubes with 32mm stems with removable cores and use the shortest valve extender possible. Under no circumstances should one use an inner tube without removable cores. It is important, however, that upon removing the tube from its package and before installing it or placing it in your kit, that the core be removed and reinstalled using a small wrap of plumber’s tape; this will ensure that the core does not unthread with your pump head, causing a disappointing deflation of both spirit and tire.
Bring back the balance. Stop this long valve madness and get thee to your local bike shop for some fresh, short-stemmed tubes.
We are not savages, my children. We are the Velominati. Vive la Vie Velominatus.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/frank@velominati.com/Goldilocks Stems/”/]
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On one point I agree. Valve extenders, a bit of tape, done, elegant and no ugly threads on the stem for the useless nut they insist on providing. That is except ofcouse the good people at Michelin who's latex tubes come with smooth valves. The upshot of this that you all are missing is the shorter stem tubes are cheaper! I would suggest that extenders for road side repair are asking for trouble so personally I have a long stem tube butyl to use on the road, which is remove again for a new latex upon returning home and the long stem goes back into the ziploc for next time.
The point I would hazard to disagree on is the correct length of the stem. Goldilocks principle calls for both "not too short" as well as "not too long". There is an asthetic middle ground and Frank I am afraid to say, you have missed it. To say "short as possible" leaves you with an ugly little stubby thing hanging there, like a pimple that shoud have been poped a weekago or something. To apply the same theory to socks would have you wearing tennis socks!!! The second 404 (short) is looks rediculous, too short and no, I'd say Veloflex have got the right length on that one.
@frank
That is true. Moving the valve out is a good solution. Having said that, I have yet to have a valve close up on me and appreciate the extra tidiness that not having the valve locking screw visible gives. As you know Frank, it's about the small details.
I simply apply locktite (superflous to requirement IMHO), undo the valve on the tub all the way, then give another 1/4 turn with pliers to lock it in place.
I had a feeling this was going to come up at some point. And what better time than the bleak mid-winter. Goldilocks, Schmoldilocks. Part of the problem are the darn LBSs. Some of them only stock one size. Too long. Solution: Order in the size you need for your rims. Stock up. Now's the time. And yes. Plumbers tape or Loctite on the cores.
Any fully threaded 20mm length valve extender exist in this world? I need it for my tubeless setup on Bullet 50mm wheelset...
@ClydesdaleChris
You may have just stumbled upon the only workable business model for Velominati: buy up the entire supply of a product, and then publish a Rule or Edict stating that is the only product allowed for use.
@Jaap
They should be able to special order them.
@Beers
I think 35 or 40mm would be acceptable in a pinch.
I've only noticed it in really lightweight wheels. Even on my 1300-odd gram Arenbergs, I don't notice it. At least not with the litterally hundredths of a gram savings that my valve extenders provide.
On my "regular" width rims, I've always chosen the proper length stem for the wheel set in question. For my offset carbon tubs, the tyres come with the same length stems, and the valve extender is just part of the inflation process. HOWEVER, I've gone away from leaving the extenders on the wheels. I just inflate them with the extenders, remove it, put it in the little repair kit I carry in my kit pocket. There's no valve or extender hanging out of the wheels at all.
@scaler911
ok wtf
@Puffy
This is why you are still but a Pedalwan, my son. Comparing valve stem length to sock length is a hopelessly rookie move. They are different things entirely, but I understand your confusion; it is in the nature of a pedalwan to strive to draw connections between the unconnected.
The middle ground lies between a valve that can not be engaged to function, and one which it superfluously long. The stems in question are perfect.
@gaswepass Well, It's pretty simple really. Air pressure keeps a presta valve, or Schrader valve "closed" wether you've screwed the valve closed or not (side note, when I pump up the tyres, I tap the valve core once to make sure it seats, just like I was taught by my old Dutch sensei). So pump it up with the valve extender, take the extender off, call it good. Unless something pushes on the core, you've got nothing to fear (except fear itself).
I ride tubulars, nothing to see here, so I am just going to move on......