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I can't pinpoint what I'm doing wrong while inflating my tubes. I use presta valves and have a "Joe Blow" Topeak pump. I put the tube stem at 12 o'clock, I unscrew the tip of the tube stem (but not too hard), press to let out some air, place the pump head on, lock it on, inflate to 120 psi (as recommended on the tire), then reverse all procedures, trying to keep everything straight (not wiggling the pump head too much).

I inflate before every ride but didn't think that was a problem as long as I'm letting some air out before pumping and am not inflating beyond the max. psi.

Still, after a couple weeks (riding about 3 times per week), the part of the tube stem that screws up and down is gone, and a few weeks later, after inflating, all the air rushes out when I take the pump off, then it won't hold air again.

The last time I replaced a tube for this reason, I decided to keep the little nut in place at the base of the stem near the tire (though my mechanic says it's unnecessary) and to keep the dust cap on the stem. I'm thinking these two items might not be necessary to most folks, but they'll perhaps protect against whatever I'm doing wrong.

Any other advice?

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    I've hear people say to put the stem at 12 o'clock, but I've always found that 6 o'clock works much better. Having the ground to push against when mounting the pump seems to make it much easier to attach the pump head to the valve.
    – Kibbee
    Commented Nov 7, 2014 at 17:54

4 Answers 4

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I also use a Joe Blow on my prestas. After I had a couple valve stems bend and/or break, I started making sure I only unscrew the stem a little bit. My theory was that by unscrewing the stem all the way up, it was easier to bend or break when pulling the pump head off. Haven't had it happen again since.

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Use those two items - retaining screw and cap.

On the valve there are actually two sets of threads

  • One to open and close
  • Two to remove the core

If you unscrew to far / hard the core comes out.

You probable loosened the core and then it blew out.

Some sets of tubes just don't have the core very tight.

Get a tool to remove the core - it is also used to tighten it. Tighten the core. I even use a dab of locktite but don't get it in the rubber mechanism.

Some tubes do not have serviceable cores (won't come out). You would probably be better off with those type of tubes.

When I get a flat I save the core, retaining nut, and cap so I have spares.

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  • I don't understand parts of your comment (removing/saving the core), but I think you're probably right that I was unscrewing it too far. Thanks for the help!
    – Mary B
    Commented Nov 9, 2014 at 21:29
  • @MaryB The core is the part that actually retains the air. It contains the moving part and the seals. Usually, the metal tube that is attached to the tire is just that: a metal tube with threads on the inside as well as the outside. The core is screwed into this tube using its inner thread. As such, you need a special tool that can grab into the outer tube to turn the core to remove it/replace it. And if you have a punctured tube, you can use that same tool to get the core out to save it for the case that you have a tube with a broken valve (like one of the seals gone bad).
    – cmaster - reinstate monica
    Commented Mar 4, 2020 at 10:59
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The retaining nut will help keep the valve in one position, which might solve a part of the problem. As for the cap, I don't think it's necessary - it will only protect the valve from weather conditions and dirt.

With a shop pump like Joe Blow a bit more reliable option is to place the valve at 6 o'clock position for pumping. When it's at 12 o'clock the hose comming from the bottom might exert some force on the valve stem bending it slightly every time you pump the tire.

Personally I've only broken the valve stem a few times and it was only because of wobbling around the pump (a compact hand pump) when removing it. I use retaining nuts, but I don't put caps on the valves, and haven't had any problems for the past 2 years.

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  • Thanks! I'm going to switch to 6:00 and make sure I'm not unscrewing it too far. And that sounds right - I'll keep the nut in place but won't worry about the cap. I really appreciate your taking the time to reply!
    – Mary B
    Commented Nov 9, 2014 at 21:27
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A long term solution to this problem is to replace your presta valve tubes with schraders. I've broken too many presta valves (and never broken a schrader) to ever have faith in the prestas again.

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    Hi, welcome to bicycles. I'm not sure how much use this advice is to someone who doesn't want to replace their rims.
    – DavidW
    Commented Jan 23, 2020 at 4:14
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    Schrder valves are larger than presta and then you start getting into an engineering discussion about whether a rim can be drilled out safely or not.
    – Criggie ♦
    Commented Jan 23, 2020 at 6:29
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    My two cents regarding drilling out the rim (TLDR: I've done it many times without issues): bicycles.stackexchange.com/a/65161/34221
    – Maarten -Monica for president
    Commented Jan 23, 2020 at 9:55
  • Presta valves are just fine and on road bikes Schrader is very unusual due to high pressures involved.
    – Vladimir F Героям слава
    Commented Jan 23, 2020 at 11:46
  • While I really think that using schrader valves is much better than using presta valves (just too delicate parts, needs special pump, etc.), this is a decision that has to be made when purchasing the rims. The OP has already made the decision to use prestas (them, or more likely their bike shop), so advising for schraders is not going to help them.
    – cmaster - reinstate monica
    Commented Mar 4, 2020 at 11:06

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