tube problems

If your using presta tubes make sure you don't tighten the nut to much. Matter of fact I don't use the nut on any of my tubes. Also make sure you don't have any burrs around the valve stem hole in your rim.

Don't ever use the nut on the stem.

You may also be over working the stem when you pump.

Jay.

Jim_L said:

I've been through 5 tubes in the last 2 weeks. The stem is separating from the tube when i go to put air in the tire before my ride. Is the LBS selling me old tubes or is it something else.

What they said. Don't blame the LBS even if they are nose pickers, for operator error.

[b]"he stem is separating from the tube when i go to put air in the tire before my ride. Is the LBS selling me old tubes or is it something else."[/b]

Uh... you're not using a hand-pump are you? All that wiggling and wrestling, especially the last 10psi will snap off your stem for sure. First, make sure you're not putting a presta-valve through a rim with a big hole for shraeder-valves. If so, get a rubber-grommet that narrows down the hole.

Then use a FLOOR-PUMP and gently slide the hose-end over the presta-valve without wigggling it sideways; all push-on and pull-off forces must be inline with the axis of the valve.

If you must use a hand pump like in pumping up a tyre after getting a flat on the road, I grab the two spokes around each side of the valve-stem along with the end of the pump. That ensures that I wiggle the entire wheel along with the end of the pump when I use it. All that motion is killer on valve-stems...