Valve cores eventually need to come out, whether you're adding sealant to a tubeless setup, replacing a leaky core, or installing a valve extender for deeper rim profiles. The Park Tool VC-1 handles both Presta and Schrader valve cores with a double-ended design that keeps the right tool accessible without digging through a drawer. One end fits the small flats on Presta cores, the other fits the larger Schrader pattern—flip it around and you're set for whatever valve type you're working with.

The tool works for more than just removal. When you're threading a new core back in, the VC-1 lets you snug it down without overtightening. Valve cores seal with minimal torque, and the compact handle on this tool naturally limits how much force you can apply. That's a feature, not a limitation—cross-threaded or crushed cores cause more slow leaks than the punctures people worry about.

For tubeless riders, this becomes a regular-use tool rather than a once-a-year item. Adding sealant through the valve stem means removing the core, pouring or injecting sealant, and reinstalling the core before inflating. The VC-1 makes that process fast enough that you'll actually do it on schedule instead of waiting until the tire stops sealing. Shops keep these at every stand because valve core work comes up constantly during wheel builds, tubeless conversions, and flat repairs.... Read More