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743 Review
42 Karma

Review on Topeak Presta Valve Extender by Joseph Meola

Revainrating 1 out of 5

Not suitable for cycling

This extension is too large to fit through the hole in the rim of my HED Jet 6 Plus wheels. If you encounter this problem, DO NOT enlarge the hole in the rim as others have suggested. The hole in the rim is the diameter that the valve stem will support, and enlarging it could cause the valve stem to detach from the tube while riding, which could result in a dangerous blowout. Here are some options for 60mm discs: 1) Buy 80mm tubes. 2) Buy 48-60mm hoses with removable valve cores and use valve extenders designed for them. My HED wheels came with these extensions (I bought this Topeak extension just for emergencies). 3) Buy a smaller diameter valve extender than this Topeak. 4) Buy 60mm inner tubes and use this Topeak valve extender or similar (the valve stem of a 60mm inner tube sticks out far enough on a 60mm rim so the valve extender can be bolted on without going through a hole to walk in the rim). . 5) In an emergency, a Presta-Schrader valve adapter with 60mm hose can be used (I had to do it once). The valve stem on a 60mm tube extends past the 60mm rim just enough to screw on the Presta to Schrader valve adapter and then you can use a CO2 cartridge with a Schrader CO2 inflation tool (the did my friend who traveled with me; make sure it's a schroeder tool and not a presta tool). The valve stem on a 60mm pipe can also stick out quite a bit on a 60mm rim for a Presta CO2 pump or tool, but don't count on that. As mentioned above, this Topeak valve extender works in this scenario as well, as it doesn't have to go through a hole in the rim. I definitely recommend always having a Schrader to Presta valve adapter with you because then you can always re-inflate your tube at a gas station or in the garage or with a portable air compressor that someone can keep in the car (even in rural areas someone can have an air compressor in their garage; just be careful not to let off too much air when using an air compressor). If you're using deep rims, just make sure you have options in case you run out of cameras on your ride (just in case nobody in your group is carrying 80mm cameras). Also, bring a repair kit and a tire case (or use the money trick) to be on the safe side (especially if you're going solo).

Pros
  • Quality construction
Cons
  • Requires socket