I'm very stubborn, and all my bikes have their correct cork taps, so I'm quite used to changing them when they leak. The usual saying is "Boil them or oil them" I boil mine in a saucepan for a few minutes and also oil them....Soak them for days if I have time. At first the new corks seem too thick. BUT THEY ARE NOT and will squeeze in and be stiff to operate at first. Ron