Is there a way to do this without removing the tire and tube? I need to deflate the tires for air travel from time to time, and it would also make it easier to experiment with pressures while out on the road.
Use an old spoke or a really small allen key (like 2mm)
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Metal wire hanger.
You don’t need to let air out for air travel unless you ride with your tyres pumped to their max all of the time.
Just tell the airline you’ve let some out…
Unscrew the valve extender, insert small end deflate tire
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with a paper clip. I always ride with one in my tool kit just in case
Is there a way to do this without removing the tire and tube? I need to deflate the tires for air travel from time to time, and it would also make it easier to experiment with pressures while out on the road.
Buy something like these: http://www.zipp.com/accessories/detail.php?ID=16716
http://www.zipp.com/accessories/detail.php?ID=16687
Basically you unscrew the core of the tube, screw in the extender and then screw the core into the end of the extender. This is a million times better than the standard extender that is just a hollow tube.
I found the Zipp ones though don’t have the greatest air flow for filling. I have a set made by Tufo that are a little nicer. There are a bunch of different brands here.
http://www.competitivecyclist.com/bike-tire-tube-accessories
Be sure to carry a standard type of valve extender for your spare tube/tire if you get a flat or need to borrow a tube from somebody, etc.
Remove the valve extender, flip it over, and use it to press the valve and release air. If the valve screw has closed, you can loosen it using this method too.
This also works if you try to inflate the tire and air will not go in, just flip the extender, release some air, replace the extender and try again.
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It’s issues like this that compel me to use valve extenders for tubes with removable cores.
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I keep a piece of coat hanger wire in my tool kit for this. In my opinion easier than fiddling with unscrewing and screwing the valve extender back on.
It’s issues like this that compel me to use valve extenders for tubes with removable cores.
So true. I can’t tell you how many times I had the core screw itself back in some and you couldn’t inflate or deflate the tube. So much better to just use extenders that put the core out of the wheel.
I usually just stick in a straightened end of a paperclip and does the trick.
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Wooden Kebab Skewer…
Did mine!