I just installed (before last ride) two identical new tubes and tires on my front and rear for “winter” riding in the PNW. The rear valve stem appears to be shorter, could this be indicative of an issue with my installation and could potentially lead to a flat? Heading out for a 50 miler rn when I just noticed it…
by enlightened-creature
4 Comments
You could deflate the tube and wiggle the valve a bit.
Are you sure the tubes were identical? Could it be that you just used two tubes with different length valve stems?
Pull on the valve stem and tighten the retaining nut of you can, but I doubt there’ll be an issue, both valves look pretty straight too so doesn’t seem like the tube is moving in the tyre.
I’d recommend to take some tubes with about 2 – 3 cm shorter valves next time…the most brands offering their tube models with different valve lengths…
You’re using the valve stem nuts, stop that.
The front tube has the stem pulled too tight and you’re straining the tube at the valve stem. Unthread both nuts, deflate slightly, push the stems in as far as you can, and then reinflate *while letting the stema find their neutral position*. There is ZERO chance of “floppy valves” in an inflated tire.
The ONLY purpose of the stem nuts is to hold the stem in place during initial inflation, and one can do that with their thumb by pressing through the tire. What stem nuts *normally* do is lead people to tear their tube at the valve.