Road Cycling - Confused about tube sizes and valves...

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januarytwenty
03-11-07, 04:42 PM
Okay, so I'm trying to buy some spare tubes for my new (to me) road bike. Its a Trek 1000 with Vuelta Airline 2 rims and Michelin tires that say "23-622 (700x23c)".

I'm confused about whether I can go with tubes with Schrader valves (seems to be tubes with Presta valves on there now). Does the valve type I should choose depend on the rims? What about valve length? I was thinking Schrader might be easier so I could get air anywhere...but I'm not sure if they'll even work with my rims?

I think I get the sizing...I was looking on Nashbar and it says "700c – Fits tires 700x20c to 700x25c" so I guess that size would work (seeing as how the tires say 700x23c). So its just really this valve thing that has me confused.

dekalbSTEEL
03-11-07, 04:56 PM
presta tubes required, get the long valve (easier to grab onto) if you need to air up at a gas station, get a presta adapter, your LBS should have them for a couple of bucks
Al1943
03-11-07, 04:59 PM
No, you will need to stay with presta valve tubes. They are available in several different stem lengths to fit rims of various profiles. Schrader valves require a hole in the rim too big for typical road rims.
Use a floor pump with a built-in pressure gauge and pump your tires before each ride. Schrader-Presta valve adaptors are available for pumping presta tubes with air compressors, but a good bicycle floor pump is better in the long run.

Al

haimtoeg
03-11-07, 05:04 PM
No, you will need to stay with presta valve tubes. They are available in several different stem lengths to fit rims of various profiles. Schrader valves require a hole in the rim too big for typical road rims.
Use a floor pump with a built-in pressure gauge and pump your tires before each ride. Schrader-Presta valve adaptors are available for pumping presta tubes with air compressors, but a good bicycle floor pump is better in the long run.

Al

Like al said.
januarytwenty
03-11-07, 05:06 PM
Thanks so much for the quick replies!

I had tried googling, but I was just getting confusing/conflicting information (admittedly, probably because I don't know enough on this subject).

Thanks again!