In order to ensure a smooth bike ride, it is important to know about the tire valve that your ride has. A deflated tube can ruin all the fun and can spoil an adventurous trip for sure. If you don’t know much about what type of valve your bike’s tire has got, then you must know how to identify one.
Presta valves are usually present on heavy bikes or mountain bikes to keep them inflated for a much longer time, so you don’t have to check on them again and again. If you own a bike then there is an ample chance that it has a Presta valve.
Presta valves look like a very petite and unnecessary part of the tube but it really makes a lot of difference. Have you ever wondered if all Presta valves have removable cores? Not all Presta valves are the same. A few Presta valves have a completely fixed core inside them.
Whereas, the others have a detachable and replaceable inner core. Lucky for you, I have brought to you all the information about a Presta valve, how to differentiate a removable one from a fixed one, what are their benefits, and what is the method to replace one. Are you excited? Keep on reading.
What Is A Presta Valve?
Presta valves are one of the most widely used tire valves. These valves are much smaller and thinner than the other types of tire valves. So, there is less chance of air escaping out of the tire’s tube upon forceful impact with the ground while mountain biking. These small little tube parts might look so important but they can drastically change your biking game for sure.
Structure of Presta Valve
The structure of the Presta valve is not a very complicated one. Like any other tire valve, a Presta valve also has the basic parts that are the cap, core, and body. Whether it is a valve with a fixed or detachable core, it will have a body that has a retaining nut on one end.
The nut holds the core inside it. The core also has a screwable end which can make it open and closed when needed. On top of all this, there is a small cap that seals the core inside it. You can also find a nut that locks the valve and is called a lock nut.
Use of Presta Valve
Presta valve has the same function in a bike’s tire as any other tire valve has. It provides an opening that allows you to pump air inside the tire’s tube when after many miles of biking your tires have deflated.
The Presta valve also decreases the constant need to fill the air in the tire by keeping sealing the tube completely. It lowers the chances of damaging the tire while pumping air into it by providing a fixed and minute portal for the exchange of air.
If you own a 26 inch bike, the you can have a look at best 26 inch mountain bike tires.
Do All Presta Valves Have Removable Cores?
No, not all Presta valves have removable cores. You can find fixed Presta valves in the market too. In the fixed version of Presta valves, the core is permanently fitted into the stem of the valve and cannot be taken out of it. Whereas, the detachable french valves have a core that comes out of the stem leaving an empty stem behind. The detachable Presta valves are more long-lasting and repairable as compared to the fixed ones.
How to differentiate between a fixed and detachable Presta valve?
Now that you know that there are two main versions of the Presta valve available on the market, the next question is how to differentiate between these two. The most common way to identify it is by the type of tire you have.
Most tubeless tires of mountain bikes have detachable Presta valves inside them. Whereas cycle tires have fixed Presta valves in them. Inner tubes in many tires also have detachable Presta valves. You can also read about best mountain bike tires for trails.
Still, if you are not sure about the type of Presta tire valve used in your bike, then you can have a close look at the structure of your Presta valve. Even though both have quite similar builds, there is a little difference between the two.
The detachable Presta valve has a dual portioned stem, while the fixed valve seems to have a unified body. The two parts are made obvious by using different colors by the manufacturers that can make it really easy to identify even for the newbie bikers.
Benefits of Removable Presta Valve
The most obvious benefit of having a detachable Presta valve is that it will last much longer as compared to fixed ones. The core placed inside both types of Presta valves is responsible for keeping the tire inflated and has the high-pressure gas that is pumped into the tire for a longer time. It also has a thin opening that will help you pump highly pressured air real quickly.
You don’t have to change the whole tube or valve if the core inside it is not performing its function well, you can easily replace the old one with a brand new core. It will not only save you money but also your time, as you don’t have to buy a new one and spend time replacing the whole valve. Replacing the whole valve can be really risky and devastating as you can ruin your inner tube too.
When does the core need to be detached?
The core is responsible for sealing pressure and air inside the tire. If your core is not working properly because of any blockage or damage then things can get a little tough for the riders. The tires become deflated and you will have an uncomfortable ride. The core can also lose its functioning if it has become too old. In such conditions you will have to get a new core to have properly inflated and bouncy tires.
Apart from the core being old, you will also have to detach the core placed inside the stem when it is time to refill the sealant inside the tire. The sealant needs to refill after every six months, so you will have to clear the stem by taking the core out of it. If your Presta valve has become blocked, even then you will have to take the core out to make it clean.
How to remove the Presta valve core?
Removing the Presta tire valve is not a very complex process, but it is surely a delicate one. You will have to perform the whole procedure with great focus and care. The petite build of the Presta valve needs to be dealt with very delicately. You can make the valve non-functional if you will impose a lot of force on it. There are tools that make the removal process really easy and quick. If you want to remove a Presta valve at home, then scroll down to find out.
Method 1 to remove Presta valve core
Material Required: Presta valve core removing tool
Steps to remove Presta Valve Core
1. Remove the cap of the Presta valve.
2. Take out the lock nut.
3. Now place the core removing tool on the upper body of the Presta valve.
4. Carefully spin the tool that will make the screwed inner core become loose and eventually come out of the stem.
5. Now, you can either insert a new one or put the old core inside again by spinning the tool in the opposite direction.
Method 2 to remove Presta valve core
Materials: Snipe-nose plier’s pair
Steps to remove Presta valve core
1. Take out the upper cap and nut of the Presta tire valve.
2. Take the snipe-nose plier and hold the head of the core inside the pliers head.
3. Spin the plier, so that the core loosens up and comes out of the main body.
4. Now you can easily take out the core.
FAQs about Presta Valve
Can you remove the Presta valve core without a tool?
No, you will have to get a tool to remove the core of the Presta valve as it cannot be done by hand. The Presta valve is too small to be dealt with by hand. You can either buy the dedicated valve remover to get the job done in seconds or you can use any simple tool that you might already have in your house such as a snipe-nose plier. It will be easy to move the core and take it out of the stem with the help of these tools.
Concluding Presta Valve Guide
I hope that now you know the answer to the question: do all Presta valves have removable cores? There are non-removable and removable Presta tire valves available in the market that seal the opening that is needed to pump air inside the tires.
You can remove the core if it gets old or when you need the stem to be clear in order to fill sealant inside the tires. Just grab any small plier and twist the core, so it can become loose and come out of the stem of the valve.
If you are searching for quality cycling products with better guidance, especially mountain bikes and their accessories, I am here to give this valuable information to you. Now you have trusted place to choose your needs from standard product collection.