Presta vs Schrader debate
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Schrader valves are for cars.
Presta for bicycles.
My experience? I've been riding with friends who had clunkers with Schraders and one of the valve cores was loose and leaked. Since i wasn't driving a car i wasn't carrying a valve core tool. I've also had to help people with Schraders that were plugged full of dirt.
Neither of these issues arise with Presta valves. I've had the little knurled nut that locks a Presta closed actually break off. Guess what? air pressure kept the valve closed like it should. Even if i got a flat, the Presta would still have worked because the threaded stem attached to the valve prevented the part from falling down into the tube.
Presta for bicycles.
My experience? I've been riding with friends who had clunkers with Schraders and one of the valve cores was loose and leaked. Since i wasn't driving a car i wasn't carrying a valve core tool. I've also had to help people with Schraders that were plugged full of dirt.
Neither of these issues arise with Presta valves. I've had the little knurled nut that locks a Presta closed actually break off. Guess what? air pressure kept the valve closed like it should. Even if i got a flat, the Presta would still have worked because the threaded stem attached to the valve prevented the part from falling down into the tube.
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Originally Posted by Al1943
+1 It's all about the size of the hole in the rim.
A schrader valve has an internal spring that keeps it closed. You either have to pump in 25psi extra to overcome the force of the spring or have a thumblock on the pump to depress the valve. For a presta, the pressure inside the tire keeps it closed so you don't need a thumblock or any pressure over that inside the tube. A tight fitting grommet will do. Look at old pump heads...they didn't have any lock mechanism whatsoever. Even modern pumps wouldn't need the thumblock except for their dual use with schrader/presta valves. With a purely presta valve head, you could just jamb the head on, pump the tire, knock the pump off and be on your way. When you have to take care of your own repairs, that makes a big difference.
Another added benefit of the presta is that you don't have to let any air out to pump them up. If you won't get the schrader valve depressed right, you can lose a lot of air from leakage. Really can't happen with a presta. If the pump isn't seated properly, the valve won't open and air won't go in, or more importantly, go out.
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Originally Posted by Al1943
?? There are at least two references to the smaller hole in above posts.
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My only issue with presta valves is that they often crack and leak right at the base of the valve stem. Be careful when you inflate them not to 'whomp!' on your pump too much and cause the valve stem to jostle against the rim hole. I have never had this problem with a Schraeder.
On my world tour I had my front and rear rims tapped at a machine shop so they could handle the schraeder valve, which often is the only thing available in "east bum****" locations like Pakistan or the Andes.
roughstuff
On my world tour I had my front and rear rims tapped at a machine shop so they could handle the schraeder valve, which often is the only thing available in "east bum****" locations like Pakistan or the Andes.
roughstuff
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
Actually, the size of the hole drilled in the rim is just an added benefit. Presta valves are quite old and have been used on all size rims. The real issue with presta is the ease with which they can be inflated.
A schrader valve has an internal spring that keeps it closed. You either have to pump in 25psi extra to overcome the force of the spring or have a thumblock on the pump to depress the valve. For a presta, the pressure inside the tire keeps it closed so you don't need a thumblock or any pressure over that inside the tube. A tight fitting grommet will do. Look at old pump heads...they didn't have any lock mechanism whatsoever. Even modern pumps wouldn't need the thumblock except for their dual use with schrader/presta valves. With a purely presta valve head, you could just jamb the head on, pump the tire, knock the pump off and be on your way. When you have to take care of your own repairs, that makes a big difference.
Another added benefit of the presta is that you don't have to let any air out to pump them up. If you won't get the schrader valve depressed right, you can lose a lot of air from leakage. Really can't happen with a presta. If the pump isn't seated properly, the valve won't open and air won't go in, or more importantly, go out.
A schrader valve has an internal spring that keeps it closed. You either have to pump in 25psi extra to overcome the force of the spring or have a thumblock on the pump to depress the valve. For a presta, the pressure inside the tire keeps it closed so you don't need a thumblock or any pressure over that inside the tube. A tight fitting grommet will do. Look at old pump heads...they didn't have any lock mechanism whatsoever. Even modern pumps wouldn't need the thumblock except for their dual use with schrader/presta valves. With a purely presta valve head, you could just jamb the head on, pump the tire, knock the pump off and be on your way. When you have to take care of your own repairs, that makes a big difference.
Another added benefit of the presta is that you don't have to let any air out to pump them up. If you won't get the schrader valve depressed right, you can lose a lot of air from leakage. Really can't happen with a presta. If the pump isn't seated properly, the valve won't open and air won't go in, or more importantly, go out.
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Originally Posted by Cynikal
I'm surprised no one has brought up that prestas use a smaller hole so the rim is stronger. Also, I liks the theading and the nut on a presta. It keeps everything in place so you don't damage the valve. My 2cents.
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
Cyclocommute, I love you and I respect you but I think that this whole post is pretty funny. There's just enough validity in each of your statements to make me think that you really believe all of that stuff.
And considering that presta valves have been around for a very long time like back when even today's wide rims were considered narrow, I don't think their primary function was for narrow rims. It just a happy circumstance that they are good for narrow rims.
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Originally Posted by I_bRAD
Can you even buy bikes with Schrader anymore, besides wal-mart style?...
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Originally Posted by cyccommute
I'm in pretty good company then Sheldon Brown and Jobst think the same thing. You can open a schrader valve without depressing the stem, it just takes a whole lot of force (25psi might even be low).
What counts in the real world is what happens when you actually inflate a tire:
Using a hand pump my bet is it's about a wash. The schrader valve loses a bit of air when you release the clamp-on chuck, the presta valve loses air when you "burp" it at the start to make the valve open.
Using air compressors and my schrader chuck and I'll win in a walk every single time. I might even be able to inflate two tires in the amount of time it takes you to do one.
Keep in mind that I have nothing against presta valves. I checked this afternoon and my beater bike, like all of the rest of my bikes, is presta valve equipped. I have simply never heard a credible drawback to schrader valves other than the larger rim hole that's required.
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You either have to pump in 25psi extra to overcome the force of the spring or have a thumblock on the pump to depress the valve.
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
The schrader valve loses a bit of air when you release the clamp-on chuck, the presta valve loses air when you "burp" it at the start to make the valve open.
I prefer prestas just because . . . and I love the "finality" of that sound that is heard when you pop the chuck off the valve. That sound, BTW, is the sound of the pump hose depressurizing. No air is being lost from the tire.
Caruso
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Originally Posted by Retro Grouch
+1. It's much easier and faster to inflate a schrader valve using my air compressor than messing with a presta valve because I don't have to force the fitting onto the valve.
Plus, a Presta is much easier to start limp than a Schrader. Use the nut to hold it up and inflate like normal. You have to chase a Schrader all over the place to get the inflator to seat.
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Originally Posted by i_r_beej
I've had the little knurled nut that locks a Presta closed actually break off. Guess what? air pressure kept the valve closed like it should. Even if i got a flat, the Presta would still have worked because the threaded stem attached to the valve prevented the part from falling down into the tube.
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#39
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Originally Posted by DMF
Uuhhh... No it doesn't. Lose the pressure holding the stem valve in place and it's gone. Scratch one tube.
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Originally Posted by DMF
Huh? I use a compressor daily and I have no problem fitting the valve. Sounds like you have a lousy inflator.
Plus, a Presta is much easier to start limp than a Schrader. Use the nut to hold it up and inflate like normal. You have to chase a Schrader all over the place to get the inflator to seat.
Plus, a Presta is much easier to start limp than a Schrader. Use the nut to hold it up and inflate like normal. You have to chase a Schrader all over the place to get the inflator to seat.
As to chasing the schrader valve all over the place, I just push against the tire with my free hand because it only takes one hand to inflate a schrader valve tube.
#41
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OK... one advantage I *do* know... after a Presta-valve tyre has been unrolled, it takes only a couple of breaths from the mouth to inflate it to a manageable level to put it into the tyre casing. You CANNOT do that with a schrader... you need to pump it.
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Originally Posted by Rowan
OK... one advantage I *do* know... after a Presta-valve tyre has been unrolled, it takes only a couple of breaths from the mouth to inflate it to a manageable level to put it into the tyre casing. You CANNOT do that with a schrader... you need to pump it.
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Originally Posted by Timonabike
Hi Folks ...
b4 I get yelled at, I did a search and found the last discussion went back to '03. What is the current preference?
A riding buddy says Presta ... if you're on the road you might meet more people with this tube touring that you might buy one if you need one . He also carries the brass adaptor and rubber washers for helping others out if it's a rim (valve hole) or pump issue.
I'm still new and ride in remote areas where folks are more likely to have a compressor or auto style tire pump. What issues on availability of buying one valve type tube vs the other in small towns on a C2C?
So chime in, please! I've got Schraders on my Specialized Crossroads Elite Hybrid, running Conti TT 2K's 700x28c. My stocker tires are Specialized Armadillo 700x38c. I plan to exchange my Crank Bros. Power Pump for a Topeak Road Morph ... don't know if this makes a difference in terms of tearing the valve stem or other issues?
Thanks,
Tim
b4 I get yelled at, I did a search and found the last discussion went back to '03. What is the current preference?
A riding buddy says Presta ... if you're on the road you might meet more people with this tube touring that you might buy one if you need one . He also carries the brass adaptor and rubber washers for helping others out if it's a rim (valve hole) or pump issue.
I'm still new and ride in remote areas where folks are more likely to have a compressor or auto style tire pump. What issues on availability of buying one valve type tube vs the other in small towns on a C2C?
So chime in, please! I've got Schraders on my Specialized Crossroads Elite Hybrid, running Conti TT 2K's 700x28c. My stocker tires are Specialized Armadillo 700x38c. I plan to exchange my Crank Bros. Power Pump for a Topeak Road Morph ... don't know if this makes a difference in terms of tearing the valve stem or other issues?
Thanks,
Tim
One note, if your in a place where tubes may be harder to find, then use Schrader rims and put a couple of Schrader - Presta rim adapters in your kit, and run with a convertable bike pump. It's easier to convert Schrader to Presta then Presta to Schrader.
#44
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Originally Posted by Rowan
OK... one advantage I *do* know... after a Presta-valve tyre has been unrolled, it takes only a couple of breaths from the mouth to inflate it to a manageable level to put it into the tyre casing. You CANNOT do that with a schrader... you need to pump it.
But to answer the original question, yes, Schraeder valves are for car tires and low quality and children's bikes. Serious road bikes use Presta valves. Mountain bikes, being a marketing phenomenon, like SUVs, would fall into the former category.
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Originally Posted by Carusoswi
Say what? You burp the presta to make the valve open? I just press the chuck over the valve, set the thumb lever, and start pumping. One of two things happen: 1) the tire doesn't require any additional air - in which case, the gauge on my pump reaches the desired pressure without opening the presta valve, or 2) the tire needs air - in which case, before the gauge reaches the desired pressure, the valve opens and I can hear that the tire is taking on air. I stop pumping when the gauge shows the desired pressure. That's all there is to it. No burping required.
I don't agree. A Presta valve can stick shut with less than the desired pressure and require burping to open. This usually happens when the tire is 10 to 20 psi below the target pressure.
Al
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Originally Posted by Al1943
I don't agree. A Presta valve can stick shut with less than the desired pressure and require burping to open. This usually happens when the tire is 10 to 20 psi below the target pressure.
Al
Al
At the end of the day, I go with whatever the rim wants. I really don't think much about it. I would prefer my MTBs use Schrader because it's easier to deal with out on the trail, but I've got Presta MTB rims and tubes, and I'm OK with that.
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Got a Presta valve and a compressor? This is what you need. No need to burp as the fitting does it for you. Takes about 20 sec to top up a tire.
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Originally Posted by DMF
Got a Presta valve and a compressor? This is what you need. No need to burp as the fitting does it for you. Takes about 20 sec to top up a tire.
Just kidding, but I think I'll pass on the Air Bob.
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Originally Posted by Rowan
OK... one advantage I *do* know... after a Presta-valve tyre has been unrolled, it takes only a couple of breaths from the mouth to inflate it to a manageable level to put it into the tyre casing. You CANNOT do that with a schrader... you need to pump it.
Caruso
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Originally Posted by roccobike
+1 YUP! I've had too many instances where my pump almost blew out the hose because I didn't burp the Presta valve. I ALWAYS burb a Presta valve because they stick shut. I've never had that happen with a Schrader.
At the end of the day, I go with whatever the rim wants. I really don't think much about it. I would prefer my MTBs use Schrader because it's easier to deal with out on the trail, but I've got Presta MTB rims and tubes, and I'm OK with that.
At the end of the day, I go with whatever the rim wants. I really don't think much about it. I would prefer my MTBs use Schrader because it's easier to deal with out on the trail, but I've got Presta MTB rims and tubes, and I'm OK with that.
In my experience, this happens when the tire I'm trying to top off really isn't low and doesn't need pumping. I'm not challenging your contention that these valves can stick, but, in the process of "burping" you are also lowering the volume/pressure of air present in the tube. I'd be willing to bet that sometimes you are trying to fill a full tire and burping only makes room so that you can pump some air in there.
Sometimes I'll let some air out and then top off prior to a ride just because I like the security of bringing a tire up to pressure before taking off on a ride (I run 145 psi in my tires). I don't know how to check pressure on a presta valve without pumping until the gauge reads the desired pressure. You can use a pencil gauge on a Schrader, but, again, in my experience (perhaps due to my clumsiness), I generally lose so much air before I get a reading that I have to pump the tire any how.
I guess the good news is that it doesn't matter which valve we prefer - they both work just fine.
Caruso