Road bike tire question?

[snoopdoug1]

So I took my road bike in for a tune up, and just got it back today. The bike tech took the nut and cap off of my presta valve tube/tire because he said they cause flats. He told me I shouldn't ride with the black cap or the nut on the bike. Is he right?

Thanks for any help ATOT can provide!

 

[OCGuy]

Hint: Red bike pants look the best

Just ask Jules

 

[scott916]

I can see the nut giving you problems if the tube pulls away from it and causes a hole around the valve stem to form, but I don't see how the cap could cause a flat.

 

[Rubycon]

Black cap, red cap make no difference in the long haul...

As long as you pump up your tyres to precisely sidewall.

 

[D1gger]

I never had a problem with my nuts in all my years of riding.

 

[FreshCrabLegs]

For me, its just a weightweenie habit. Removing the valve nut and dust cap.

I haven't nor heard of anyone getting a flat because someone kept their's on.

Hope that helps and share the road, brah!

 

[Drako]

I have not heard of either causing flats. You can certainly ride without either, but I prefer to leave both on.

I usually ride with my tires a bit soft, so it's nice not have the valve stem push into the wheel, that's why I leave the nut on.

As for the dust cap, it just keeps the dust and mud off of the valve. Why would that cause flats?

 

[GoSharks]

I don't ride with either. The cap is mainly just for dirt and stuff. I don't ride in those conditions so the cap isn't a big deal for me.

The nut isn't needed and can be detrimental. It forces the stem to be normal to the rim and doesn't allow for the stem to reorient if your tube/tire rotates around the rim. This causes undue stress on the base of the stem.

 

[FleshLight]

I just use threadless stems.

 

[GoSharks]

I just use threadless stems.

Or that. My front wheel currently has a Michelin tube that is threadless.

 

[Dirigible]

I don't ride with either. The cap is mainly just for dirt and stuff. I don't ride in those conditions so the cap isn't a big deal for me.

The nut isn't needed and can be detrimental. It forces the stem to be normal to the rim and doesn't allow for the stem to reorient if your tube/tire rotates around the rim. This causes undue stress on the base of the stem.

This can happen. Also, if you use a frame pump the nut can make it a little tiny bit more likely to snap the stem off with improper technique.

OP: in my studied opinion it works fine with or without those bits. I leave them off, but that's just because I'm lazy.

 

[JulesMaximus]

So I took my road bike in for a tune up, and just got it back today. The bike tech took the nut and cap off of my presta valve tube/tire because he said they cause flats. He told me I shouldn't ride with the black cap or the nut on the bike. Is he right?

Thanks for any help ATOT can provide!

The nut and cap are completely unnecessary. I've been throwing them away for decades and never have them on my bikes.

On the other hand, I've never heard that they cause flats either. Honestly, he shouldn't be throwing stuff away just because he thinks they're worthless, but really, we're talking about a 1/2 cent piece of plastic and a 1 cent nut.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Hint: Red bike pants look the best

Just ask Jules

Nicely done. :thumbsup:

 

[JulesMaximus]

I have not heard of either causing flats. You can certainly ride without either, but I prefer to leave both on.

I usually ride with my tires a bit soft, so it's nice not have the valve stem push into the wheel, that's why I leave the nut on.

As for the dust cap, it just keeps the dust and mud off of the valve. Why would that cause flats?

That's a good way to get pinch flats on a road bike. I generally pump mine up to around 110psi and check tire pressure before every ride.

 

[GoSharks]

That's a good way to get pinch flats on a road bike. I generally pump mine up to around 110psi and check tire pressure before every ride.

I usually go for 100psi on 23c, and I'll probably start going lower. I only weigh 120lbs though.

 

[snoopdoug1]

Thank you for all the replies. Sounds like I'll be fine just leaving them off. I do pump my tires up to 120 as is recommended by the tires.

Thanks again!

 

[KMc]

Bike tires are one example where you definitely should inflate to sidewall.

The cap isn't a problem but the nut definitely is. People crank it down too tight and it ends up pulling the stem out too far and puts stress on the part of the tube surrounding the stem.