Bike Tire Valve Keeps Pushing In (Reasons & Solutions)
Having issues with a bike’s tire valve isn’t something anyone wishes for. However, you shouldn’t panic or try to purchase a new one just because it keeps pushing in.
And this is because you can always resolve the problem without purchasing another. However, this issue causes many bike owners to wonder why the valve is acting this abnormally.
Your valve stem will keep getting pushed inside if the inner tube develops a puncture or gets cut. Also, the inner tube deflates when you run your bike through rough surfaces. And this is a pretty common occurrence for those who frequent rough patches of road.
Why My Bike Valve Keeps Pushing In
Your bike valve pushing in may occur because the head on your pump for the valve is wrong. It may either be that the head for the valve stem is incorrectly fixed or isn’t the one required for it.
All you have to do in this situation is install a new one or adjust the one set improperly.
Sometimes it can also be that there is damage on the valve stem, thereby leading to the tire getting punctured. Furthermore, it may be that your compressor pump has gone defective.
You should check and fix this problem with immediate effect. In the case of tubeless tires, it is due to a fault in the bead.
Can I Fix An Inner Tube If The Valve Has Been Pushed Inside?
Being unable to pump your tire because the valve has been pushed inside can be very frustrating. But, it is possible to fix your inner tube if the valve gets pushed inside.
When your valve gets pushed in, most people conclude that the entire body fell into the wheel rim.
However, the actual thing is that your Presta valve inner shaft may have fallen into the tube body.
This often occurs when you may have mistakenly unscrewed your thumb screw too much and made the internal valve shaft fall into the tube.
Getting the inner valve shaft back can be tasty, and you will need a new thumbscrew. The easiest solution in this situation is to change the whole interior as they are pretty affordable.
What Is Valve Stem Failure?
When your tires start to lose air at a fast rate, this results from your valve stem malfunctioning. The valve stem is the tube responsible for inflating and keeping the air in your tire.
When the valve stem does not seal well, it begins to leak out air. When it gets a cut or crack, this may prove fatal for you when riding that bike.
Valve stem failure can occur due to specific reasons. Generally, when your valve stem has served you for a long time, it gets old, brittle, and will corrode with age.
As a result, it will crack, causing it to leak, and your tires will be unable to hold air. When air leaks out, the tire will experience a loss of pressure causing it to get flat or run hot.
In other cases, it may start malfunctioning due to using the wrong lubricant. You shouldn’t use a petroleum-based lubricant because the rubber will absorb this. This will damage your valve stem over time.
The quality of your valve stem matters greatly in checking valve stem failure. And this is because one of high quality will withstand harsh conditions for a longer time.
Of course, you may opt for a cheaper one, but if it is of poor quality, you will regret it later. For example, chemicals such as road salt also cause damage to your valve stem.
However, if it is of good quality, it can withstand these chemicals for longer.
To check for valve stem damage such as a leak isn’t tasking. Instead, just mix soap and water, remove the cap of your valve stem, and rub this mixture.
If you notice bubbles forming, that’s confirmation that your valve is leaking because air is escaping.
On the other hand, you can immerse the tube uncapped into the soapy water, and if you see bubbles, it’s leaking. This leak may be either from the body or the base of the valve.
Make it a habit to inspect your valve stem once in a while if it is still in good condition. Anytime you’re replacing a tire, check if the valve stem is damaged and needs a change.
Don’t forget to check the hole in the rim for any roughness or nicks when installing a new valve stem. And this may cause any damage to the newly replaced valve stem.
Why Does My Inner Tube Keep Going Down?
When your inner tube keeps going down, it causes your tire to deflate. In addition, the inner tube may experience a cut or get punctured, making your tire lose pressure and pop.
Tubes lose air at different times and rates, and the narrower ones lose pressure faster than the wide ones because they contain less air.
Your average inner tube is usually made of rubber, making it prone to punctures. And this may occur when you ride through a terrible road having potholes.
It can also result from riding over any sharp thing, such as rocks, glass shards, thorns, or nails. These objects pierce your tire, damaging the internal tube, thereby leading to air leakage.
When you have a defective valve stem, you will experience your tire going flat over time. If your valve is faulty, your inner tube can not keep the air in, resulting in it going down.
When you notice this, it must be replaced to prevent further damage.
Furthermore, the wear of your tire may also lead to the inner tube going down. When your tire gets exposed to constant heat and extreme weather conditions, it starts deteriorating.
Your tires will constantly expand when experiencing extreme heat, eventually leading to a drop in quality.
Most inexperienced riders may change the tube themselves, which can also cause damage. If you don’t know how to change your tube correctly, it’s best left to an experienced mechanic.
And this is because you may pinch the tube when changing it, inflicting damage to it, and you’ll end up with a deflated tire.
There are tools meant for this change, and you must ensure to get the proper ones needed.
When the spoke holes aren’t appropriately covered with rim tape, it may damage your tube. They usually poke against the inner tube valve if your rim tape has gone old.
You must also ensure that your tube is inflated at the proper pressure.
Inflating to a pressure below the required one will lead to blowouts and punctures. The required pressure for road bikes is between 90 -130 PSI.
Making use of tire liners to protect your inner tube is a great choice to be considered. These liners prevent sharp objects from damaging your inner tube.
In addition, purchasing a tire of good quality is a good way of preventing internal tube damage.
Can You Fix A Bike Tire Valve?
There’s no need to get all worked up when your valve gets faulty because it can be fixed and replaced.
Some valves have small, flat sections at their sides towards the top nut; these have replaceable cores.
When you notice your valve isn’t holding air anymore, the easiest thing to do is take it to a bike shop.
Here they have the required equipment and knowledge to get this fixed quickly. However, your valve can manually get fixed if you feel up to it.
Note that valves are of different types; the Schrader valve and the Presta are the most common we know.
However, the Presta valves are more suitable for bikes. Most valves are attached to tubes, and to fix them, you’ll have to replace the tube.
Presta valves for tubeless tires fix the valve to the rim. When it starts letting out air, you can replace just the valve if your Presta valve core isn’t removable.
In some cases, the sealant may have gummed up the core making your tire unable to hold air.
If you’re dealing with Prestas that have replaceable cores, you must get a new core from a bike shop. Your bike usually comes with a spare valve core in case of an emergency breakdown.
Summary
Riding around with a faulty bike can be very frustrating and dangerous. Especially when your inner tube is defective, and you get stuck on the road with a completely flat tire.
Get a mechanic for a routine inspection of your bike. Always remember to fix any damage you notice immediately. This move is essential for bike maintenance and personal safety.
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