Bicycle Mechanics - Shameless Schrader/Presta Troll

We haven't had one of these in awhile. Who's brave enough to start it off? Pick a side and I'll take the other.

Ok, Schrader, for the elegance in its outward simplicity. :D

Ok, Schrader, for the elegance in its outward simplicity. :D

Too easy. So how does adding a spring make it simpler?

Nah, the thinner Presta is much more elegant.

East Hill

I haven't posted in one of these before. Now I have.

I haven't posted in one of these before. Now I have.
+1.

Man, this is like asking which is better--an innie or outie? And why is there no poll to go along with this?

But since you asked, Presta...

We haven't had one of these in awhile. Who's brave enough to start it off? Pick a side and I'll take the other.

So this is like high school debate club, where you had to pick a side, even though there is no fathomable reason why anyone in their right mind would? OK, I'll take Schraeder then.


<looks down at index cards>

No gas station adapter needed.

Please rebut.

Presta because it's easier to adapt to either kind of pump. I've stopped on the trail to help people with flats only to discover that my(and most of the people on the trail) pump wouldn't work on schraeder.

Presta = aero. :)

Presta = aero. :)

'Cuz it's thinner....oh, I said that already, didn't I?

East Hill

I used to think this discussion was sort of pointless. For our mountain bikes, I still feel that way and go with the valve the bike/rim came with. But for my old road bikes with 27 inch tires, I've become frustrated with Schrader valves. I use an electric pump at home. If the valve is slightly tilted, I find the pump head can take a moment or so to release. During that brief period, I can lose 10 or 15 PSI on high pressure tires. Our newer road bikes have Presta valves that seem to disengage clean with little or no loss of pressure. I just purchased new, 100 PSI tires for 27" Araya alloy hook bead rims on a 87 Nishiki Custom Sport I recently purchased. I'll be converting the tubes to Presta when I mount the tires on that bike.

Presta, 'cause that's what fits my rims.

Presta with a schrader adapter.

If you like dork disks, wheel reflectors, handlebar streamers and extension levers on your brakes, you'll prefer schraeder valves. My memory only goes back to the 1950s and all serious bikes have always had presta valves. I believe the popularity of schraeder valves in North America stems from the fact that, aside from children's toys, most people drove cars before they rode bikes.

If you like dork disks, wheel reflectors, handlebar streamers and extension levers on your brakes, you'll prefer schraeder valves. My memory only goes back to the 1950s and all serious bikes have always had presta valves. I believe the popularity of schraeder valves in North America stems from the fact that, aside from children's toys, most people drove cars before they rode bikes.

I don't know, my bikes, even the nice 80's bike had Schrader, although really, they both do the same job, and do it fairly well, although I prefer all bikes in the stable the same way, so if I bought a roadie with Prestas, I might put prestas on the MTB->touring conversion, but that thing is happy with Schraeders for now.....

I use an electric pump at home. If the valve is slightly tilted, I find the pump head can take a moment or so to release. During that brief period, I can lose 10 or 15 PSI on high pressure tires.

The main problem is that the air chuck needs to be changed to this type:
http://images.orgill.com/200x200/6278402.jpg

Although the clip looks like it won't hold the chuck and valve stem together without leaking air, it does work very well and I'm kind of glad I had to replace the OEM unit...the cost of going out and buying replacement didn't excite me though. Bought mine at Sears, but Wal*Mart has it for less cash.

After replacing the hose and the plastic air chuck head that broke on my electric air compressor, the new air chuck is easier to fit and release (rather quickly too) on Schrader valves without losing air pressure in the tubes/tires. Bought a pair of Presta Adapters (only a $1.50 for 2) so I can use the new air chuck to inflate my road tires without any fuss.

As far as Schrader vs Presta, I have no preferences...although I have seen and know a few tourers that drilled out their rims for Schrader because of the availabilty of Schrader tubes on the road if an LBS isn't nearby and they ran out of patches/spare tubes, and use rim grommets for their Presta tubes. Suppose one has to be prepared for anything on the road.

Schrader, because you can get all those cool little valve caps for them.

Schrader, because you can get all those cool little valve caps for them.
The man does have a point... (http://www.bmxmuseum.com/shop/valve_caps/)Although those Presta rockets at the bottom are pretty cool...

Presta because rims drilled for Presta can be drilled for Schraeder but not vice versa.
Also Presta tubes can be used in either kind of rim.
For similar reasons, I don't understand the point of fixed/free flip-flop hubs...

Man, this is like asking which is better--an innie or outie? And why is there no poll to go along with this?

But since you asked, Presta...
An innie is the way to go no doubt about it.

Presta: Because it is always good to keep brushed up on your swear words. Especially when sliming one of these tubes.

Schraeder valves are OK only if you're a slow rider. Above a certain speed (function of tire pressure and spring strength) the centrifugal force causes the valve to open up and let the air out of your tire. You can partially overcome this effect by screwing on your caps real tight and wrapping them with duct tape.

#1 I can spell "presta"
#2 It is easier to let the air out of a presta if I want to put on a new tire.

Presta for road bikes (thinner, geekier), shrader for all others (if you forget the pump you can stop at any gas station and get a refill).

We haven't had one of these in awhile. Who's brave enough to start it off? Pick a side and I'll take the other.

What is the name for those other ones that look like a combination of both? I think they come on
new Gazelles. ?? From India?? Can't remember.

Schraders are more practical and less fuss to operate. I don't convert my Presta tubes because the big kids would make fun of me! Maybe those Dunlops or Woods that 2manybikes mentioned would have more snob appeal? And yes, I am a fred. :)

So this is like high school debate club, where you had to pick a side, even though there is no fathomable reason why anyone in their right mind would? OK, I'll take Schraeder then.


<looks down at index cards>

No gas station adapter needed.

Please rebut.

OK, Schrader valves make you look like a "Fred" to those in the know. Appearance is VERY important.

Schrader 'cause it always works. bk

Schrader, cos I am lazy. No really... think about it. On a Presta you unscrew the cap... then the.. erm... little screw seal thingumybob, the oozit... the widget...... that is two... TWO task, usually with cold freezing hands in the cold northern rain of England

With a Schrader you unscrew the cap... and inflate. Okay... tis not elegant, but it is simplicity.

See... lazy!

Schrader. Well I don't even own any schraders, but the little springs in the presta valves are always bending and breaking.

Presta. I have no facts or sources, but they don't leak air as fast. No idea if it's true, but my gut says it is.

When my wife bought a bike last year the asses at the LBS sold her a schrader hybrid. Which means it's incompatible with my rather sizable stash of spare tubes, she can't use my wheels, etc. I eventually broke down and bought a pump that could handle schrader -- it came with adapters for all sorts of other toys: footballs, beachballs, etc. Now I can barely get her to ride it, because it's too heavy and the hills are too hard. (Well yeah, duh, ballon tires, upright position, and a 35 lb bike. *I* would be struggling to haul that thing over any of the hills around here.) Of course she didn't know what to get, I was at work, and the LBS just dumped some cheap POS monstrosity on her.

Hope that's enough of a troll rant to qualify.

I'm changing my vote: Dunlop. :p

My truck is Schrader, my car is Schrader, my cargo trailer is Schrader, my utility trailer is Schrader, my golf cart is Schrader, my golf cart trailer is Schrader, my riding mower is Schrader, my kite buggys are Schrader, my wheelbarrow is Schrader, and since I have a drill and am not afraid to use it, all my bikes are Schrader!

On my singlespeed (29er) and road bike, I prefer presta valves.
On my singlespeed (26er beater conversion) and geared mtb, I prefer Schrader valves.
Why??? Cause that's what the rims came drilled for:p .

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the kind that doesn't require any sort of extra equipment at all--beach ball valves (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/what/specific_objects/682404_beachball_valve.php?id=682404)!

I need to hear both valves stances on global warming. Which valve has the smaller carbon footprint? Which valve did Jesus use? Get me answers to these questions please, and then I will grace you with my vote.

I'm surprised nobody's mentioned the kind that doesn't require any sort of extra equipment at all--beach ball valves (http://www.istockphoto.com/file_closeup/what/specific_objects/682404_beachball_valve.php?id=682404)!
"Just put your lips together and... blow."

Bogie & Bacall ref. :)

They both suck.

ProLink Chain Lube! What? I'm in the wrong thread?

What is the name for those other ones that look like a combination of both? I think they come on
new Gazelles. ?? From India?? Can't remember.

Dutch I think

I prefer tubes with external threads so you can lock the valve into the correct place. There are very few options for this in the schrader world. I was using IRC downhill tubes.

However, I've gone to 29ers and the ONLY tubes specifically made for 29ers are presta. So it's presta for me now.