Have you had a valve stem failure?

[HaulinAshe]

+1 on the 90 degree stems from Bike Effects. I now have three pair with a cumulative 75,000 miles and nearly three years time on them. (I still see my old 05 every once in a while, and I have two sets of wheels for the 07.)

IMO it's easy to overlook the condition of valve stems when you are changing your own tires, and it's just as easy for a shop to ignore their condition. The standard rubber valve stems need to be replaced with SOMETHING at regular intervals. I'm betting many are not and that is the biggest contributor to failures, not a design flaw or defect.

 

[radman]

The reason I started this poll was this thread.
I am thinking that maybe I'll replace the rubber Yamaha valve stems with some all metal ones. I'm not really into the 90 degree stems, but I've seen plenty of straight metal ones on other bikes.

I'd suggest rethinking that. I had some cheapie 90's that took a dump, but the good 90 stems are truly wonderful, no more rotor hand.

 

[Fencer]

After I got into the track thing and heard about stem failures I swapped all my stuff to metal stems.

I have bought from Kurveygirl.com.

great prices/ service and is recommended on the WERA sites.

I am using the Shorty metal stems. looks good on the Feej IMO

She also has dzus fasteners at a great price and wheel weights.

If you think about MC tire changing practices, we always swap the tire but never change the stem. on a car they change the stem with each new tire.

just a thought....

 

[mdisher]

So I suppose there is a reason they recommend you replace the rubber stems at every tire change.

Though I've never had one fail. I do use the BE 90 degree stems and they are the shiznit.

-MD

 

[Geezer]

Thanks to all for the responses. So far it appears that the stock stems are not a problem, or if they are, the problem would be very unusual.

Why not?

Just a matter of taste. I just don't like the look of the bent ones.

I'd suggest rethinking that. I had some cheapie 90's that took a dump, but the good 90 stems are truly wonderful, no more rotor hand.

Yeah, I do get my hand dirty when checking the air pressure. Even though I sit in front of a computer all day, I still manage to get dirt under my fingernails on weekends so I don't really mind.

I have bought from Kurveygirl.com.
great prices/ service and is recommended on the WERA sites.

I am using the Shorty metal stems. looks good on the Feej IMO

Those shorties look pretty good to me. And how can I resist shopping at a place called curvy girl?

Anyway, my PR2s are holding up well for me and I probably won't need to replace them until next year, so I have time to look around and decide what I want to do.

 

[Fred W]

If you think about MC tire changing practices, we always swap the tire but never change the stem. on a car they change the stem with each new tire.
just a thought....

True, but here are a few other thoughts: Auto tires usually last 30-50k miles, which can be several years (or more). Also most cars are parked outdoors all day where the rubber parts are subjected to the ravages of weather.

Most bikes, OTOH, are garaged most of the time and the tires last only 5-10k miles. I don't know many folks (that actually ride their bikes) get more than a year out of a set of bike tires.

But the idea of metal 90 degree stems is still very appealing...

 

[teerex51]

<....> I now run 90 degree valve stems that Bikeffects sells. <....>

Same here. As a matter of fact, most of my riding buddies now do.

Stef

 

[radman]

I'd suggest rethinking that. I had some cheapie 90's that took a dump, but the good 90 stems are truly wonderful, no more rotor hand.

Yeah, I do get my hand dirty when checking the air pressure. Even though I sit in front of a computer all day, I still manage to get dirt under my fingernails on weekends so I don't really mind.

What I meant was, with the rotor in the way, many contortions are necessary to get a gauge on a straight stem-the front, for me, was a *****. The 90's eliminated the problem, also made getting an air chuck onto the stem, and releasing it without losing half the air you just put in, much, much easier.

 

[Fencer]

If you think about MC tire changing practices, we always swap the tire but never change the stem. on a car they change the stem with each new tire.
just a thought....

True, but here are a few other thoughts: Auto tires usually last 30-50k miles, which can be several years (or more). Also most cars are parked outdoors all day where the rubber parts are subjected to the ravages of weather.

Most bikes, OTOH, are garaged most of the time and the tires last only 5-10k miles. I don't know many folks (that actually ride their bikes) get more than a year out of a set of bike tires.

But the idea of metal 90 degree stems is still very appealing...

I had considered that as well, such as new stems every 3/4th change.

 

[NoCage]

If you think about MC tire changing practices, we always swap the tire but never change the stem. on a car they change the stem with each new tire.
just a thought....

True, but here are a few other thoughts: Auto tires usually last 30-50k miles, which can be several years (or more). Also most cars are parked outdoors all day where the rubber parts are subjected to the ravages of weather.

Most bikes, OTOH, are garaged most of the time and the tires last only 5-10k miles. I don't know many folks (that actually ride their bikes) get more than a year out of a set of bike tires.

But the idea of metal 90 degree stems is still very appealing...

I had considered that as well, such as new stems every 3/4th change.

Fencer, how do you change the stems when you still have 1/4th the time left before the tire change? :grin:
(...just messin' with you)

 

[mdisher]

If you think about MC tire changing practices, we always swap the tire but never change the stem. on a car they change the stem with each new tire.
just a thought....

True, but here are a few other thoughts: Auto tires usually last 30-50k miles, which can be several years (or more). Also most cars are parked outdoors all day where the rubber parts are subjected to the ravages of weather.

Most bikes, OTOH, are garaged most of the time and the tires last only 5-10k miles. I don't know many folks (that actually ride their bikes) get more than a year out of a set of bike tires.

But the idea of metal 90 degree stems is still very appealing...

I had considered that as well, such as new stems every 3/4th change.

Fencer, how do you change the stems when you still have 1/4th the time left before the tire change? :grin:
(...just messin' with you)

I thought he was on the 'just wreck it and buy new wheels plan'

 

[Lake Powell]

The valve stems that I sell are used by many including a couple of AMA superbike/supersport teams and have not suffered a high speed failure that I have ever heard of. The design of the stem is important. A "bent pipe" type of stem would be subject to high speed failure due to centrifugal force. Mine are machine from on piece of stock.
Angled valve stems at Bike Effects

After 10K miles plus and triple digit speeds on the stems from Bike Effects with zero problems and zero worries, they (jeff) should charge more!

 

[GalaxyBlue]

I voted no stinkin issues... But the only issue i had with the ribber ones were they are hare to get a gauge on them!

Thanks Jeff for the 90* Stems!