Valve Cores sticking with tubeless set up/ How often to top up?

molteni_man
molteni_man Posts: 472
in Workshop

I’ve loved running tubeless since converting on my gravel bike and have now gone the same route on my road bike.

Two questions;

  1. My valve cores get ‘gunged up’ with sealant to the point where it can be very difficult to unscrew the seal. I’ve had to loosen with grips a couple of times. I now carry spares out on rides in case I need to add air and can’t loosen. Anyway of avoiding this gunging up please without resorting to a new valve core?
  2. I started off with a six month top up of my gravel bike, but after a hotter August have recently topped up after 3 months. What do others do please and what works?

Many thanks in advance.

Molteni.

Comments

  • Dorset_Boy
    Dorset_Boy Posts: 7,611

    What sealant are you using MM?

    I've never encountered an issue loosening the value (using Stans Race or Stans normal sealant).

    How do you store your bikes? It may be worth ensuring that the valve is pointing upwards so no (or minimal) sealant sits in it.

  • oxoman
    oxoman Posts: 506

    As Dorset Boy suggests. Try leaving bikes stored with valve at the top. Also I add air at the top as well. I've had issues like you using Stans and cafe latex. I always carry a spare core and a core remover as well. Tubeless is definitely the way to go on gravel, been using on road gravel and mtb for yrs with only minor niggles.

    Too many bikes according to Mrs O.
  • molteni_man
    molteni_man Posts: 472

    Thanks both. The suggestion of leaving the valves pointing upwards is a really good one. Using Stans too. When I popped into my local bike shop to get spare valve cores they too had had some experience of similar when I asked about it, but no particular solution. I think a small amount of sealant can get get out when adding air, so again will think about releasing the seal more slowly when about to add air.

    BW both!

  • photonic69
    photonic69 Posts: 2,976

    My wife's commuter bike uses slime filled tubes. When I check the pressure I always leave the valves at the top for a while before opening. Then I let a good amount of air and snot out into a paper towel to clear the valve and then top up the air to required pressures. I top up the sealant once a year.


    Sometimes. Maybe. Possibly.

  • molteni_man
    molteni_man Posts: 472
    https://forum.bikeradar.com/discussion/comment/21098343#Comment_21098343

    Thank you- another good shout

  • trevor.hall12
    trevor.hall12 Posts: 496

    Leaving your valves pointing up won't do anything as there's not enough sealant in there to touch the valve while in that position.

    Issues like this are often caused by a tiny leak attracting sealant to the valve,sealant type or just age and also bending them with a pump while inflating can cause issues too

    I change sealant after summer going into winter and after winter before a new summer season and I change the cores whenever I do it due to the minimum cost and the valves are out to inject new sealant anyway .Always ask customers when the sealant was checked/changed and do it when required

    Valve cores cost a few pennies so it's just good practice .

  • molteni_man
    molteni_man Posts: 472

    Thanks Trevor - I always find your posts and great knowledge super useful on Bike Radar - always really helpful!

    Best wishes

Categories