Road valve extenders

What is a valve extender for?

On a deep-section rim, the valve on a standard inner tube or tubular tyre does not protrude far enough to attach a pump. A valve extender screws onto the end of the valve to provide the missing length, without changing the tube or tubular tyre.

What length?

• Add the length of your valve to that of the extender: together they should protrude 15 to 20 mm beyond the rim.
• Zipp offers its Tangente range in 27, 33, 48, 74 and 98 mm, covering every rim depth from the 202 to a full disc wheel.
• Enve and Silca offer 34, 45 and 75 mm, while other brands offer a single size from 30 to 60 mm.

Two types of valve extender

• With a removable valve core : unscrew the core from the original valve, screw the extender in its place, then fit the core into the extender. This is the neater setup and lets you deflate and reinflate normally.
• Without a removable valve core : the extender screws over the open valve, which must remain unscrewed at all times. Simpler, but the seal depends on the threads and inflation is less precise.
• Apply PTFE tape to the threads: it can make the difference between an airtight valve extender and a flat tyre the next morning.

Valve extender or long valve?

For tubeless, a one-piece long valve : fewer connections mean fewer leaks, and sealant cannot clog the joint. An extender is still useful for inner tubes and tubular tyres, where the valve is fixed in place and cannot be replaced.

To find out more: How to choose road bike valve extenders

See also: Road tubeless valves · Road inner tubes · Road tubular tyres