Tool to tighten valve stems

[Veloo]

I have the Lezyne pumps. I like them but I find I do have to give my presta valves an extra tightening. My open face wrenches don't go that small and the smallest pliers I have don't fit in between the spokes.

Any recommendations for something more convenient that fits in the tight space?

[commonguy001]

I've used this little plastic tool (the first one at the top of the page) and have never thought I needed something nicer. I think it came with a set of Mavic tubeless MTN wheels that included valve stems. It's small and light, the only issue is it's easy to misplace.

plastic valve core tool (http://www.tufotires.com/valve_core_removal_tools.html)

[fignon's barber]

I know you get that little black plastic tool with Vittoria valve extenders as well.

[Cicli]

Spoke wrench and a bit of Loctite.

[Black Dog]

I have the Lezyne pumps. I like them but I find I do have to give my presta valves an extra tightening. My open face wrenches don't go that small and the smallest pliers I have don't fit in between the spokes.

Any recommendations for something more convenient that fits in the tight space?

Lezyne pumps are famous for unscrewing valve cores. After you get it tightened on put some grease on the valve tip so that the pump will unscrew without taking the core off with it. as for the tool, drop by your LBS and ask if they have a valve cap that is open on both ends with one end used for tightening the core. These used to come on all tubulars that had removable cores.

Or buy some of these. Cheap.
http://www.worldclasscycles.com/valve_tool1.jpg

[Veloo]

Yes, the "core" is what I meant.
Guess I could've used a search engine too. Habit of just coming here first now.
Maybe walk over to Skiis and Biikes at lunch and ask them.

[shovelhd]

I have the Zipp set. They should last a lifetime.

[happycampyer]

^ The Zipp ones are the best.

http://img.artscyclery.com/watermark/rs.php?path=ZPTGVLWR-1.jpg&nw=350

[AngryScientist]

the stans tool is my favorite.

http://www.notubes.com/GetImage.ashx?Path=~%2FAssets%2FProductImages%2FAS 0015_Core_Remover_Packaged.jpg&maintainAspectRatio=true&maxHeight=400&maxWidth=400

[cmbicycles]

Park makes a tool. I can't tell whether the Stan's tool takes out a presta core or just schrader valve cores.
I have the Park and Zipp; both work fine.

http://www.parktool.com/assets/img/product/_productEnlarged/VC-1_007.jpg

[josephr]

the stans tool is my favorite.

http://www.notubes.com/GetImage.ashx?Path=~%2FAssets%2FProductImages%2FAS 0015_Core_Remover_Packaged.jpg&maintainAspectRatio=true&maxHeight=400&maxWidth=400

have the Stan's....sure others work great...either way, I'd say a valve core tool should be in every amateur wrench's toolbox.

[teleguy57]

I use my Stan's tool exclusively w/presta. Works well, keep it taped to a small bottle of Stan's that I carry as first thing step before removing/replacing a flatted tubular. It worked the one time in the past three years I needed to try it (no more commentary, knock on wood....)

[FlashUNC]

I've got the Park one, works great. Needle nose set of pliers works in a pinch too.

[unterhausen]

I got some of the little black core tools with a set of DT swiss wheels. I thought about putting them in with my spare tubes, but then I realized I would never find one. I have one of the stan's tools, it's in a saddle bag, but I don't know which one

The spoke wrench sounds like the best plan, 2 birds. Have to go try it

[MikeD]

I rounded out a plastic one on a tight valve core. Get a metal one.

[Tony T]

I just pull out my keychain and use this:

http://images.knifecenter.com/thumb/1500x1500/knifecenter/leatherman/images/ps4d.jpg

…also, a drop of loctite helps.

[purpurite]

^ The Zipp ones are the best.

http://img.artscyclery.com/watermark/rs.php?path=ZPTGVLWR-1.jpg&nw=350

Aren't valve stem inserts 4.5mm?

Good to have in the toolbox. (http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc-metric-combination-ignition-wrench-set/p-00942339000P)

[happycampyer]

Aren't valve stem inserts 4.5mm?

Good to have in the toolbox. (http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc-metric-combination-ignition-wrench-set/p-00942339000P)Good question--they could very well be. The Zipp mini-wrench works. It's harder to lose than the little black plastic ones, and the wrench allows one to apply a little more torque. Had never seen the Park or Stan's version before.

The Zipp ones come with wheels, but Zipp dealers often have spares.

[alexstar]

I have the Park tool, works great. The secret is to ditch the Lezyne head and install something that won't unscrew the valve stem. I like the smart head that comes on the Topeak Joe Blow Pro.

[Brian Cdn]

Danny

I have a spare one of these here for you.

http://www.worldclasscycles.com/valve_tool1.jpg[/QUOTE]

[smontanaro]

It's not clear to me that a special wrench is necessary, though I've only ever needed to remove/install a valve core in my basement lair, not out on the road. I'd just get a cheapo set of ignition wrenches. You want 4.5mm, and will find uses for a few of the others, well if you have any older bikes before everyone went to hex key fasteners. I have my 4.5mm wrench marked with a bright sharpie so I can easily dig it out of my somewhat massive collection of ignition wrench sized bits. A multi-size spoke wrench will probably also have an appropriately sized slot.

I have something like this Craftsman set, bought years ago when I fiddled around with German sports cars, though I recently supplemented them with a bunch of SAE ignition wrenches I found at an estate sale.

Craftsman 10 pc. Metric Combination Ignition Wrench Set, Silver (http://www.google.com/shopping/product/9974136412994959747?lsf=seller:9119074,store:26199 01389044463833&prds=oid:9591909275424531518&q=metric+ignition+wrenches+craftsman&hl=en&ei=e3JZV6KALsPZmwHAiI-4Aw&lsft=sid:LIAxSgLx376649765x26603616845)

[purpurite]

Aren't valve stem inserts 4.5mm?

Good to have in the toolbox. (http://www.sears.com/craftsman-10-pc-metric-combination-ignition-wrench-set/p-00942339000P)

I'd just get a cheapo set of ignition wrenches. You want 4.5mm, and will find uses for a few of the others.

I have something like this Craftsman set, bought years ago when I fiddled around with German sports cars.

Craftsman 10 pc. Metric Combination Ignition Wrench Set, Silver (http://www.google.com/shopping/product/9974136412994959747?lsf=seller:9119074,store:26199 01389044463833&prds=oid:9591909275424531518&q=metric+ignition+wrenches+craftsman&hl=en&ei=e3JZV6KALsPZmwHAiI-4Aw&lsft=sid:LIAxSgLx376649765x26603616845)



Yeah, that. ;)