How To Use A Tire Valve Stem Fishing Tool (Gently Does It)

What exactly is a tire valve stem fishing tool and how do you use it?

We explain the difference between a valve fishing tool and a valve stem puller and reveal how you can make changing motorcycle inner tubes or installing tubeless valve stems faster, easier and more comfortable with these handy little gadgets.

What Is A Valve Stem Fishing Tool?

It’s a simple yet indispensable tool with a small handle at one end, connected via a wire cable to a threaded male or female end.

Essentially the male version, known as a valve fishing tool, is designed to be screwed inside an inner tube stem (after the valve core has been removed) in order to guide it through the rim hole in a motorcycle wheel or, for that matter, any wheel rim running an inner tube.

In contrast, the female version, known as a valve stem puller or installer tool, is designed for installing or removing a tubeless valve stem in a motorcycle, car, pickup, ATV or golf cart wheel rim.

Some models have an integrated core remover either on the tip of the threaded end of the tool or occasionally on one end of the pull handle. Both the male and female version of this tool are only compatible with schrader stems which are the most common valves used on everything from motorcycles to pickups to cars to golf carts.

What Problem Does The Valve Stem Fishing Tool Solve?

By far the most frustrating part of installing a new motorcycle tire or fixing a flat (when running inner tubes) is fishing around trying to poke the inner tube stem through the hole in the rim. Considering how stiff the sidewalls on off-road tires can be, this seemingly simple task can quickly turn into a mission requiring an excessive amount of time and energy. If you happen to have large hands, it can often be nigh on impossible to complete this uncomfortable, if not painful, chore.

You pinch your fingertips, scrape your knuckles and your four legged garage buddy (dog) runs for cover after hearing the unsavory language escaping your lips. It’s even worse in cold weather but you can avoid all of this suffering and frustration with a compact and incredibly handy tool called a valve stem fishing tool or valve stem puller to “pull” the inner tube stem through the rim hole for you while your hands remain outside of the tire cavity.

What Problem Does The Valve Stem Puller/Installer Tool Solve?

The most common way of installing tubeless valve stems in a wheel or rim without the correct tool is to use a set of needle nose pliers or vice grips. The problem with this method is two fold – it’s easy to marr the threaded finish of the tubeless stem meaning the plastic cap may not thread back on easily. Secondly, it requires a lot of effort to “pull” the valve stem through the tight fitment of the rim valve hole while holding the tool at an angle.

In contrast, the female valve stem fishing tool threads onto the end of the valve stem so no damage can occur to the threads. Also, when you pull on the tool to seat the valve in the rim hole, the pulling force is coming from directly above the valve stem making it much easier to seat the stem into the rim hole.

How Do I Use a Valve Stem Fishing Tool?

How Do I Use a Valve Stem Puller/Installer Tool?

1. Elite Cycle Valve Stem Fishing Tool – Our Recommended Choice For Inner Tubes

The Elite Cycle Valve Stem Fishing Tool is a simple and inexpensive tool that can save you a heap of wasted time and headache out on the trail, in the middle of nowhere mid-adventure ride or in your garage. A large anodized aluminium grab handle makes it comfortable and easy to use while remaining compact enough to add to your toolkit or tool roll. The threaded tip includes a valve stem remover which is incredibly helpful and saves you rummaging through your tool kit to find that tiny little tool.

The cable is 60% thicker than other models so you can rest assured it will continue working even after countless tire changes. This Valve Fishing Tool is perfect for installing or repairing inner tubes on any vehicle using inner tubes such as ATVs, Golf Carts, Lawn Mowers, Quads, Scooters, Motocross, Off Road, Adventure Bikes, Pit Bikes, Mini Bikes, Side by Sides, UTVs, Bicycles, MTB and BMX.

2. Slime Valve Stem Puller – Our Recommended Choice For Tubeless Valve Stems

The Slime Valve Fishing Tool is much more compact with a small pull handle that houses a valve core remover in one end of the handle and a thread cleaning tool in the other. Made of coated steel for rust resistance with a thick, durable pull cable for years of problem free use.

Compatible with all pickups, cars, trucks, ride on mowers, ATVs, UTVs, hand carts, tractors or any wheel using standard tubeless snap-in valves. Slime’s tool also works with air conditioning schrader valves which can occasionally come in handy.

The negatives of this product include a slightly shorter than ideal cable length making it difficult to use on large tires such as 4×4 or truck tires. Additionally the female tip design makes this product incompatible with motorcycle rims running inner tubes as the hole in the rim is too small to fit the tip through.

Now you’re hopefully clear on what a tire valve fishing tool is, how it can benefit you, how to use it, the difference between valve fishing tools and valve stem pullers and finally, where to buy the best examples of each of these products.