О жизни на двух колесах Types of bicycle nipples
A bicycle is one of the most ingenious inventions that has ever been created by man. It combines the opportunity to have a great time, get a boost of adrenaline, improve health and travel. The design of the bike is both complex and simple at the same time. Let’s turn to the device of one of the smallest, but very important details of the bike — the bicycle nipple, and also see what kinds of nipples can be found on bicycles. What is a nipple?A nipple is a tube that connects the bicycle chamber and has a check valve to retain air, and also to be able to pump it. Looking more attentively at the wheel of your bike, you will see that a tube resembling a nipple sticks out from the rims of both wheels. This is how it got its name «nipple». It is responsible for sealing the air in the chamber. Types of bicycle nipples
There are 3 main types of nipples:
AutomobileThis type of nipple is universal. It is found both on bicycles and on cars. It has the largest diameter of the tube among the equivalents — 8-8.5 mm. It got its name thanks to the citizen of the United States, August Schrader. It is also called the American nipple.
This variety of nipples is the most unpretentious to dust and moisture. They, like other equivalents, are protected by caps. However, the car nipple is stronger and more durable. Its advantage is that it is possible to pump a wheel with such a nipple using a conventional car pump. However, do not connect an electric compressor to the bicycle wheel, since high pressure and fragility of the chambers in most cases lead to rupture of the wheel. And to guess the right moment is almost impossible! Due to its versatility and durability, this type of componentis installed on most modern bicycles of the basic and middle price categories. Therefore, the car nipple can be safely called the most common componentat the moment. DunlopThis type of bicycle nipple has already gone out of service. It was installed on bicycles several decades ago. And although it can still be found in some bicycle shops, modern «iron horses» are not equipped with them anymore for a long time. The bore diameter was 8 mm.
A rubber tube was used as a non-return valve. The carving in Dunlop was much smaller than in cars. Therefore, the universal pump was no longer suitable. This was one of the most significant drawbacks of this type of bicycle nipple. A bicycle pump was required to pump it. Or it was necessary to remove the tip of the pump and insert a tube into the nipple. This required the help of a friend, who would firmly hold the tube in the nipple. PrestaThis type of bicycle nipple is also smaller than a car equivalent, but it is more adapted for sports bikes. Presta, or a French nipple, is lightweight and is placed on tubeless tires. If car equivalents are installed on bicycles of the basic and middle price category, then Presta — for expensive ones. For more information on how to choose the bicycle tires, read another article. The diameter of the bore is 6 mm. To pump it, you need a bicycle pump or an adapter for an auto pump. Most modern bicycle pumps are equipped with an adapter from an automobile nipple for Presta.
The French equivalent differs by the fragility of the check valve, therefore, pumping it, it is necessary to act cautiously. If the pump tip is adapted for the car nipple, it is necessary to unscrew the nut, remove the rubber band and the bushing. The sleeve needs to be turned with a narrow end down. Then turn the rubber cone wide end down and lock the nut. So you change the nozzle from the car to the Presta nipple. In each nipple there is a slide valve or check valve, which is responsible for sealing the chamber. If it is tightly tightened, additional forces will be required to «squeeze» the valve, otherwise air will not enter the chamber. And since the spool at Presta is fragile enough, it’s easy to damage it. Therefore, before pumping the wheel, unscrew the check valve for one or two turns and carefully insert the pump. Even if you break the spool, it can be easily removed from the nipple and inserted a new detail. Function of caps At the moment, the caps perform not only a practical, but also an aesthetic function. For example, on sale there are glowing neon caps for nipples, which not only allow the car to see you in the dark, but also give your bike a chic look, especially if the light of neon is combined with the color of the bike. But what is the main function of the caps? Bicycle nipples of the old Dunlop model were fitted with plastic caps, and they served to protect the structure from moisture and dust. They also to some extent prevented the «leakage» of air from the chamber. In car nipples, the cap had two functions:
The cover of the cap was made in the form of a key, which has grooves under the spool. With its help, it was possible to tighten the check valve to prevent air leakage or, conversely, to unscrew it for comfortable pumping of the camera. In Presta caps protect not only from moisture and dust, but also from damage, because, as mentioned above, this type of bicycle nipples is very fragile.
To skillfully pump the wheels and keep the nipple, you need to know the features of its device. We hope that this article will help you to better learn your bike and use all its components to the fullest. Have a nice ride! |
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