How to Remove Presta Valve Core: 5 Effective Steps
Do you own a bicycle? Then you should know that your bike tires must be in pristine condition. The pressure in your tires must be perfect for your bike to give you a smooth ride.
If you have a tire with an inner tube and it becomes flat, it becomes unsafe. At a minimum, it is harder to pedal. You need to check your tires regularly and repair anything that needs it.
At some point, you might need to remove your tire’s Presta valve core to repair it. But do you know how to remove Presta valve core? Read the rest of this article to find out how to take the Presta valve core out and put it back in.
What is a Presta Valve Core?
You need to understand the different parts of your bicycle if you intend to repair it yourself. That means you need to learn what a Presta valve core is before you try removing it from your tires.
The Presta valve is a common valve type found in the inner tubes of some mountain bikes and most road bicycles with high-pressure tires.
It’s made of an inside valve body and an outer valve stem. There may also be a lock nut in the valve so that the stem is secure at the wheel rim, and a valve cap to prevent leaking.
But what does a Presta valve do? Presta valves allow for high air pressure while requiring a small hole in the wheel rim. This makes them ideal for road bikes, which need to be light and thin with tall tires.
You can buy different lengths of this valve to suit your wheel rims. For now, let’s talk about how to take a valve core out of your tire.
How to Remove Presta Valve Core?
Now that you have learned about Presta valves, you can learn how to remove them. Follow the guide below to remove a Presta valve safely.
Get the Right Equipment
A Presta valve core is a tiny part of the valve that resides inside the tire valve of your bicycle. It helps pump air in or out of the bicycle tire swiftly and securely. If your tire is not inflating, the valve may be the problem.
Before you start, gather the correct equipment. First, try using the Presta valve core remover tool that came with your bicycle.
If your bike did not come with a valve core removal tool, or if you have lost it, you should be able to get a new one from most bike stores. You may need other tools if you don’t have the one which came with the bike.
You can remove the Presta valve core using certain types of equipment. For instance, you can get any chain tool that you may have lying around your garage to remove the Presta valve core. Many people have found it hard to remove the valve core that way, but it can still work.
People who have issues using a chain tool can use any small part tool or pliers. Just be sure that you got the correct tools for your bike! When you’re done gathering your tools, it’s time for you to get to work.
Remove the Air from the Bike Tire
Once you have your equipment, the next step is to release the air inside the bike tire. Many professionals say that you need to let the air out of the tire before removing the Presta core for a more secure process.
While air is still escaping, rotate your Presta valve in the polar direction, or to the left so that it opens easily.
After this, apply pressure on the top of the valve core so that air can come out of the bike tire. Touch the tip of your Presta core and keep applying pressure so that air comes out easily. Continue until the tire is completely deflated.
Don’t apply too much pressure when letting the air out. Putting too much pressure on the valve core can easily damage it. Be patient.
Don’t forget to close the tip of your valve when you’re done releasing the air inside the tire. Twist the Presta core clockwise or to the right to lock the valve core’s tip. Tighten the tip using pliers.
Now, it’s time to move on to the next step: unlock the lock nut.
Get the Lock Nut Off
The next thing you’ll need to do is get the lock nut to unlock. Some Presta valve cores do not have this lock, but you can easily see the lock without having to fish it out on the ones that have it.
You can skip on to the next step if your Presta valve core doesn’t have a lock nut on the outside of it. However, if your Presta valve core does indeed come with a lock nut, then you need to add this step and disconnect it.
To remove the round lock nut, twist the lock nut until it comes off in your hands. No tools are required; this can be done by hand.
Get Your Bike’s Valve Core Attached to the Tool
After you’ve got the lock nut out of your way, you need to connect the tool to the valve core of your bike.
Before you start using this tool, see if the tool has a small or large part that’ll fit right into the core. To connect the tool to the valve, make the bike tire stand up straight. Put one hand on the tire’s valve core, and insert your tool with the other.
After doing this, go immediately into the following step, which is much easier.
Twist the Valve Core
This is the easiest step of all. Twist the entirety of the valve core gently. Keep twisting till the valve comes off.
How Do You Install a Presta Valve Core?
Installing a Presta valve core is a straightforward process. It’s the opposite of removing a valve core.
Start by reversing the same process you used on removing the Presta valve core. Rotate the valve core clockwise instead of counterclockwise. Keep twisting the valve core until it’s tight enough. Then use pliers to secure the valve core.
That’s it! Now you know how to install the Presta valve core after removing it.
Why Should You Regularly Check and Replace Tubeless Valve Cores?
Whether you use a Schrader valve or a Presta valve, the goal of a valve core is to maintain pressure inside the tube of the tire so that you get the right traction and ride as smoothly as possible.
The valve core of your tire controls the pressure, and the recommended pressure may vary depending on the kind of tire. Even though you might think that a valve core is too small to matter, it’s an essential part of the bike!
Just like other parts of a bicycle need regular maintenance and repairs, a valve core needs to be checked regularly and needs to be replaced if it somehow gets damaged. You might need a new tube as well.
This is particularly risky if you like mountain bikes. Specifically, riding on any mountain trails, even with an entry-level mountain bike, you might need to replace the valve core as it’s susceptible to getting damaged.
If you get a flat tire, look at the valve core of your bicycle. However, it’s not obligatory to check the valve when you get a flat tire.
Sometimes, your tire might get small leaks that you do not notice at first. If you ignore these leaks, they may continue letting the air out of your tire and start damaging the inner tube.
If your destination is far away, this can be disastrous for you and your bicycle. Use any kind of tire sealant on the leaks to avoid letting out any more air.
There’s an easy way to check if your valve core is intact using soap and water. Submerge your tire in soapy water. If there are bubbles, you’ve got leaks, and the core must be replaced.
Remember, not every valve core is removable. Check if you’re getting a bike with removable valve cores or not before you purchase a bicycle, and always do routine maintenance on your valve core.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why Should I Use a Removable Valve Core?
You should use a removable valve core so that you can maintain it.
The thing with bicycles is that the parts might get damaged. Eventually, the valve core gets damaged as well. When your valve core gets damaged, and you need to replace it, it’ll be easier with a removable valve core.
2. Can I Use a Cheap Valve Core in My Tubeless System?
The simple answer is “yes.” You can use a cheap, generic valve core if you have a tubeless system. Why waste money on expensive valve cores when you can get cheap ones from any bike shop?
3. Does My Presta Valve Core Need to Be Tight?
A Presta valve core should be tight. There is nothing called a valve torque. Simply tighten the Presta valve core until it’s completely secure.
4. How Important Is the Size Of My Presta Valve?
The size of a Presta valve core can be very important. Although there isn’t a difference in the diameter of most Presta valve cores, the length can be different. This length depends on the wheel where the valve is mounted.
5. Why is My Presta Valve Coming Out?
The core of your Presta valve may come out because of the thread. If the thread of your valve isn’t tight enough or has worn out, then the core of your Presta valve may come out repeatedly. At this point, you may need a new valve, if not a new tire.
Final Words
Removing a valve core is an easy, straightforward job. It’s very important to maintain the correct pressure in your bike tires.
So how to remove Presta valve core when you need to work on it? Just follow the simple steps in this article, and you’re good to go.
It should only take you a couple of minutes to finish removing the valve core from your tire. Now that you know how to do it, check your bike tires regularly!
Steve Beck is a passionate cyclist and experienced writer covering the cycling industry for over a decade. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all bike-related things, from the latest products and technologies to the best routes and trails. His articles are well-researched, informative, and engaging, and he has a talent for explaining complex cycling concepts in a way that is easy to understand. Steve can be found on the road when he’s not writing about bikes, putting his knowledge and skills to the test.
