Tubular Tires- Help

Yes, most high end tubular tires lose the majority of their air over a period of 24-48 hours. That is normal. Part of it is due to the permeability of the casing material. This is also some of what contributes to their light weight and low rolling resistance.

Valve extenders can be a bit of a pain. The secret- as with many things in life- is practice and preparation.

When the extenders are first installed be certain to:

1. Insure your presta valve stem on the tubular tire is firmly open. If it closes accidentally, as in when you are threading on your new valve extender, you won't be able to get any air into the tire since the valve will be shut.

2. Do a single turn of ultra thin, non-adhesive white Teflon tape (available on a blue plastic roll at most hardware stores) around the threaded portion only of the presta vavle on your tubular tire. The tape is very thin and will form an air-tight gasket between the threads on the presta valve and the valve extender.

3. Inflating your tires with valve extenders is best accomplished with the buddy system. One person pumps while the other person holds the pump chuck in place on the valve extender. The surface of most valve extenders is smooth, so your pump head won't grip it very well. Because of this, when the pressure gets up to about 80 p.s.i. the pump head has a tendancy to blow off the valve extender. If your buddy holds it in place while you pump it will be much less frustrating.

Inflating race wheels equipped with valve extenders requires a little practice and a few special techniques but you'll be an old pro in no time with practice!

Best of luck!