Tight nuts this morning

[Number14]

Halfway into my 19 mile commute and just climbed a long steep hill on the bent and was about to change to the outside lane for the upcoming roundabout but something didn't feel right. Bike suddenly got sluggish and I had a p@nct@re.

Pulled to the side of the road and took of the back wheel, got the spare tube out for a quick change but I couldn't shift the locknut on the valve stem. 5 minutes later I give up all hope of a "fast" tube swap and go for the leisurely, old-fashioned approach of glue and patches. It took nearly 30 minutes to fix.

Check your nuts n the morning to make sure that you can twiddle them properly or you may be stood at the roadside trying to loosen them.

 

[dondare]

When Tullio Campagnolo had this problem he invented the quick release.

 

[gaz]

When Tullio Campagnolo had this problem he invented the quick release.

Quick release on the valve?

 

[Deleted member 1258]

The mistake I made once was to tighten up the track nuts on my fixed with the big ring spanner out of my tool bag after adjusting the chain, then having had a puncture found I was struggling to undo the nuts at the roadside with the small adjustable I carry in my saddlebag. I now make sure I don't lean on the spanner so hard.

 

[Number14]

It was the valve nut.

 

[BentMikey]

Ooh, jammed valve nut can be a real annoyance, LOL!

 

[hackbike 666]

It's called sods law....simple job takes twice the time.

 

[dondare]

Time to invent a qr valve stem lock nut.

 

[Davidc]

Time to invent a qr valve stem lock nut.

Already done. With Schrader type valves anyhow.

.... just don't fit any.

Bit more difficult with Prestas, but

... just don't tighten them too much.

I have sympathy with the OP though. I felt a complete idiot two years ago when the bike shop had put a rear QR on so tightly that I couldn't shift it. Then discoverd that the glue in the PRK had solidified. Luckily someone in a car offered help and had a medium sized screwdriver to use as a lever so I could change the tube. Very embarrassing.

 

[Defy78]

On Presta's you don't really need the lock nuts if the rims are made for presta valves, in fact I've found if done up too tightly this in itself can cause a slow puncture through the value. I don't really bother with valve caps either as you have a lock off for the presta, but that's a different issue

 

[fossyant]

Answer - don't use the valve nuts - easy. Adds too much weight anyway !!!!

 

[biking_fox]

Once or twice I've had a sticky valve nut. I've got strong fingers so managed to turn it eventually - only to discover, as the tyre decompresses into my face that I wasn't turning the valve nut, I was turning the valve body! You can unscrew them completely from the valve seat, but this doesn't help you fix things!

 

[Davidc]

When I got my Presta equipped tourer out today I remembered this thread and looked at the valve nuts.

Both are so loose that they aren't doing anything. I presume they've been that way for the past 1000 miles that the tyres and tubes have been on the bike. nothing's happened as a result so I think I'll take them off next time I'm inflating the tyres.

I think fossyant is right.

 

[fossyant]

Once or twice I've had a sticky valve nut. I've got strong fingers so managed to turn it eventually - only to discover, as the tyre decompresses into my face that I wasn't turning the valve nut, I was turning the valve body! You can unscrew them completely from the valve seat, but this doesn't help you fix things!

I will say.............this..................

Vittoria Ultralights for a road bikes are the best... (standard butyl not latex)

Continental....used them on my Fixed............. not impressed - had two tubes fail at the valve/tube junction..... on newish tubes............ (Only stocked up because the yellow dust cap matches the Mavic graphics...........) ...

Back to Vittoria's on the Fixed I feel....like what I use on the other two road bikes and don't have any problems.............. never have in 20 years of Vittoria inner tubes......

 

[Deleted member 1258]

When I got my Presta equipped tourer out today I remembered this thread and looked at the valve nuts.

Both are so loose that they aren't doing anything. I presume they've been that way for the past 1000 miles that the tyres and tubes have been on the bike. nothing's happened as a result so I think I'll take them off next time I'm inflating the tyres.

I think fossyant is right.

I can't remember the last time I put valve nuts on when fitting a tube, they usually go straight in the bin.