Mountain Biking - presta vs shraider

i did a search but i couldnt find what i was looking for.

what is the advantage/disadvantage of presta valve tubes? i guess what i mean to ask is, is presta better? is there special reason for presta? why some bikes come with presta and why schraider? my friends rockhopper a1fscomp came with shcraider but i thought those should come with presta?

i ask because i jus bought some wheelset and they have presta size hole and im just wondering what are differences, thanks

Presta valves are a little easier to inflate. They are held shut only by the air pressure in the tube.

Schraeder valves have a spring in the valve core. They are a little harder to inflate.

Prestas are usually spec'ed on higher end bikes. I don't think they have any great advantage except that they are euro and cool. (Yes, I'm editorializing).

Schraeder valve tubes are a little easier to find. They are available at hardware stores and the X-marts. (You usually have to go to a dedicated bike shop to get presta tubes). You can also inflate them at the gas station, though that is a bad idea. (Zzzzzzzzzip...BOOM!)

Since your bike came with prestas, ride with prestas. Set your pump up for prestas if need be, and if you are in any way worried about it, toss a presta-Schraeder adaptor in your saddle bag or camelbak pocket. Shoot, some folks ride with them on their valve all the time. They don't cost much. they don't weigh much. What the hey?

To add to what RG said, some folks think the smaller presta hole leaves rims a little stronger, especially on really skinny rims. What I like about them is when rolling them to put in your spares bag, you just have to touch the end thingie with your finger and all the air is out. You don't have to stick something into it, like with a schrader.

Tom

yeah i couldnt figure out at first how to pump them... and the rubber ring on my adapter comes off a lot. i have since bought a pump that takes both valvings. well for a second there, i thought that having presta's was actually a performance advantage over the "normal" ones hahaha. i guess it's just for "looking hardcore" :p

Shrader is more common in America; Presta in Europe. There may also be a small weight advantage with Presta which gives you a little better wheel balance, which enhances ride.

Personally, I think presta is easier to inflate (due to the interface with my hand pump), and it just looks cool.

I you want to add stuff like slime to your tube, you should go with shred though.

Originally posted by tFUnK
i did a search but i couldnt find what i was looking for.

what is the advantage/disadvantage of presta valve tubes? i guess what i mean to ask is, is presta better? is there special reason for presta? why some bikes come with presta and why schraider? my friends rockhopper a1fscomp came with shcraider but i thought those should come with presta?

i ask because i jus bought some wheelset and they have presta size hole and im just wondering what are differences, thanks

Yup, what everyone else said! Also, one con regarding the presta is that you can more easily break off the air stem while inflating. Then, if you only have patches, and not another tube, you're stuck. Ah, ask me how I know! ;)

BTW, I ALWAYS cary a new tube and patches now! :D

I hate presta. I have popped many a tube trying to pump air into it. I find the where the valve meets the tube breaks very easily. :)

Oh yes, I broke two tube so far at the tube/valve interface. The problem is that people (including me) have the tendency to overtighten the stem nut and stretch the rubber which then get cut by the hole in the rim.

Well I only tended to do it when I used a hand pump. But thanx for the tip I thought it needed to be tight :)

hehe no wonder i could not put slime in the tube with a schraeder core remover... guess i'll either have to get a patch kit or find good deals on tubes

Uhmm, you're supposed to have the nut loose (as in about a 1/2 away from the rim loose) when inflating presta.