How To Fit Valve Extenders – Road Bike Maintenance

If you're using deep or aerodynamic wheels, you'll probably need valve extenders - here's our guide to fitting and using them. Important to get right, frustrating if you get it wrong.

There are two types of valve extenders; those that require you to remove the valve core and those that don't.

To fit both types you'll need some silicone (plumber's) tape, a set of small pliers and it's also a good idea to have some insulating tape to hand.

The important thing is to make the seal as air-tight as possible, hence the silicone tape. Deep section wheels are also really prone to the valve rattling. So, get some insulating tape and wrap it around the valve at the point that it exits the rim.

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[GT-cxvd]

next time shoot the video from the moon. We cannot see what you are doing mate!

[jeffels]

Take note that it's always good practice to wrap the tape the same direction that you're going to screw the extender on otherwise you could unravel the tape and not make as good of a seal

[johnsaxontube]

They are leaving out the most important, and totally counter-intuitive part. What you are going to do is leave your presta valve wide open, as you have never ever done before in your life. Then you are going to screw on this extension leaving the valve wide open. From now on, only the pressure in the tube will hold the valve shut. It took me about 45 minutes of fretting and thinking I was crazy to figure this out. After a lifetime of screwing these valves shut, you'd think they might mention that now you're expected to leave it open. They also fail to mention that you'll be shit out of luck if you have a flat while riding since you probably will not have thought to bring a long skinny thing (perhaps the smallest hex wrench?) to poke down into the extension to let all the air out. You also will be out of luck if you didn't bring along teflon tape and pliers with which to take the extension off of the old tube and fit the extension on the new inner tube. Perhaps not the most helpful video I've ever seen.

[karlosfandango]

Thanks. Today I had my first puncture using deeps section wheels. Couldn't understand why pump wasn't getting air in the tube. Sat at side of road just completely miffed. Then I found this video and boom!! Had no idea I'd be needed tape to help seal the extenders. Managed to pinch of the old valve. Got me home.
#allthegearandnoidea.

[jen]

Dan ! This is the kind of mech detail i respect the heck out of ! Most mechanics I have spoken to seeking advice on this topic have glossed over it and not one man jack has tipped me on the sealing method you describe.

I run tubulars and a "top " mechanic installed a new one and it leaks like mad. I am running brand new gatorskin tires and this is the second tire he installed like this.

when i inquired as to how to attach a valve extender, 3 different mechanics said i just screw it on, and good to go.

no tips, no advice as good as yours, so thanks ! keep 'em comin' !

jim

[stefis]

I have used a thin layer of PVA glue on the thread left to tack up. It worked very well. What was shown in the video was plumbers' PTFE tape.

[Pelodoan]

I'm pretty sure the close up for the non-removable core segment (2:20) is actually footage from the removable core segment...

[jbaillie]

If you run deep section clinchers anywhere from 38mm to about 66mm you can also just use 80mm valve stem tubes.

[non-essentialoutingstokyo]

for non-removable cores, you put the extender over the open valve on the tube. But how do you pump up the tire then? It's just an open hole at the end, is that fine?

[leeberry]

Top tips as always from the GCN. I've had an annoying rattle from road vibration on my new Zipp 404s. I'm sure it's the valve rating through road vibration. Time to try this tip. Cheers GCN

[powerkitemad]

To stop the "RATTLE" noise you can use heat shrink wire insulation tubes (normally used for soldering protection) Works a treat and looks super tidy.

[TumshieHeed]

Guys, it is not 'silicon' tape but PTFE thread tape. Any Plumbers' Merchant will sell you some, or perhaps your local hardware store. Also, you do NOT need so much tape to get the seal. I know, I worked with the stuff for over 15 years.

[TomAbramoff]

to be honest, one of the more lacking videos in GCN's catalogue. Just a NICE this time. Go back, film it better with closeups, more consistency, and PLEASE call it teflon tape and not silicone tape. You might just get a SUPER NICE.

[MicroageHD]

Well, with these tips everyone is a winner!

[SteveGocka]

As long as your valves are long enough that your cap threads are showing, you can either use a schrader adapter or a pump with a screw on head. I buy commonly available 48mm stem tubes but a regular clamp on pump head won't work. So I use a Lezyne pump. The screw on head works perfectly. Same with the Lezyne mini pumps. 

[IronmanSparkes]

followed it and with the extra tips on noise reduction, it worked a treat. thanks. A*

[kamashi]

I think you mean Teflon (PTFE) tape not silicon tape.

[heatherbarham]

Looks like PTFE tape - same as you use on some copper plumbing fittings.

[orangepuma]

So I find that valve extenders are great when your out on a long ride but the tube a buddy might lend you isn't the length of your wheel.   Ie. You have a 60mm and your tube is 40mm.   I know you recommend using the teflon or silicon tape to prevent air spillage. What are your thoughts on this while out on the road?

[TumshieHeed]

Polytetrafluoroethylene Tape. Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) is a synthetic fluoropolymer of tetrafluoroethylene that has numerous applications. The best-known brand name of PTFE-based formulas is Teflon by DuPont Co., which discovered the compound. PTFE is a fluorocarbon solid, as it is a high-molecular-weight compound consisting wholly of carbon and fluorine.