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

I_bRAD

Can you even buy bikes with Schrader anymore, besides wal-mart style?

Just go with presta, and carry your own tube/patches/pump.
PS- road morph= great pump

Olden Crow

Yes with those $1 brass adaptors you can inflate prestas tubes with Schrader pumps; but the opposite type adaprtor seems hard to find. Therefore I use only presta tubes on my roadbike and MTB.

operator

There is no debate. The 50cent adapter makes it a non issue. Unless you go to places that only sell schraeder tubes, in that case you're screwed.

phantomcow2

Deep down inside though, I prefer the schrader. They are more durable, I've broken a presta valve with my frame pump. If you ever need to, you can easily buy replacement valve cores for schraders.
But, I use presta valve tubes and carry an adapter, works fine.

TrekDen

The Topeak RM will handle both type of valves. Tearing the stem on a schrader is less likely, because of the hose on the Road Morph.

qmsdc15

I buy rims cheap sometimes discounted because they are drilled for schraeder. On a coast to coast tour, I would probably use rims drilled for schraeder, carry or use rubber or alloy washers/shims to allow use of presta tube, and a presta to schraeder valve adapter. This way, it really doesn't matter what type tube you use. Most modern bike pumps will fill either type valve. Keep your options open. The washers/shims/adapters are tiny, weigh nothing, and may get you rolling when you can only find a schraeder tube or schraeder pump (if your pump is lost or broken). Use presta tubes but be prepared to use schraeder.

idcruiserman

What's the advantage of Presta style? They are a PITA to me. They came on my road bike is the only reason I'm using them. I may drill the rims out .

cuda2k

Sorry PhantomCow2, gonna have to disagree with you on this one. I've cut many more Schrader valves than busted Presta. Both of my 27" wheels that are drilled for Schrader are being converted to Presta. I need to grab a couple of the adapters if I"m out in the rural areas solo and get a flat and need a helping hand.

supcom

I did a 200K solo ride about a month ago and forgot to take my pump. When you're 60 miles from home riding rural roads with either kind of valve and no pump you sure do look down at your rear tire a lot. I even stopped at the only Walmart along the way in hopes they would have a mini pump that would convert for presta. Of course, that was the one bike accessory that was out of stock! Fortunately, I finished with no problems, but I sure did worry.

roccobike

You sure can! See below my 05 XC Comp (when it was new, sigh!). It has Schrader valve Mavic 117 rims with disc hubs.

roccobike

I understand the advantage of Presta valves on a road bike. The narrow valves allow for a narrow design rim that is more aero, supports a narrow tire, and so on. But what is the advantage on a mountain bike. I have two MTBs that use Presta valves. I see no advantage over Schraeder valves. One of the bikes with Presta valve tubes has narrow rims that are a real pain to mount tires so they seat correctly. These rims have no advantage over the Schrader valve Mavics (or for that matter the Alex rims) on my other bikes. Can someone enlighten me as to what the advantage of the Presta valve is?

operator

That's because you were using a (insert adjective for crap) pump.

ryanparrish

I have seen some people with odd things going on with their schraders. Like just a little bit of the top sticking out or it is off to some odd angle. Alas it might be the bike operators of schrader that cause these odd occurences. Not to sure what is special about presta, but I use it all the time no problems

willtsmith_nwi

The Presta valves with the threaded bodies and lock nuts are nice for getting tubes in. Having said that, I use TR4 Dowhnill tubes.

I recently switched to 29ers and I am temporarily using the 26er TR4 downhill tubes (a MAJOR PITA). Here's the rub though, not only are TR4s not available in 29er sizes, but just plain Shrader is not available.

I am definitely going to 29er tubes, and so my next set of Delgado rims will probably remain intact instead of drilled for Shrader.

Rowan

My belief is that the Prestas are better for high-pressure tyres such as for road bikes.

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.

None-the-less, all of my bikes have presta valves except for my beater and I'm not sure which it has right now because it switches back and forth.

Retro Grouch 

Check out the valve on your air conditioner that uses 200psi line pressure and isn't supposed to leak at all. It's a schrader.

Coyote!

Op' added in the context of busting Presta valves. . .

>>> That's because you were using a (insert adjective for crap) pump.

I'll own to that sure enough, but is there also a "dumb user" component to bustin' 'em, too?

Al1943

+1 It's all about the size of the hole in the rim.

barba

I would be careful about that. Road rims are thin, and I don't know that I would want to remove much material from them.

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.

HardyWeinberg

LBS guy suggested that the pin your pump has to push on a schrader is less reliable than any of the moveable parts on a presta.

Another question: I've heard not to use airpumps at gas stations because they can blow out your stem, is that true? I don't understand it 'cause bike tubes are pretty much always at higher pressure than car tires.

Retro Grouch 

Naw. Back in the days of 1 1/4 tires with straight sided rims, it was pretty easy with a gas station air compressor to inflate a bike tire so quickly that it would blow the tire off of the rim. Today bike tires/rims hold more air pressure than back then, and gas stations have been replaced by convenience stores with tiny air compressors that are slower and may only go to about 60psi.

I always love these threads and the theories guys come up with regarding tire valves. The "unreliable" poppet valve pin is a new one is a new one for me. The poppet valve on a presta is exactly the same thing minus the spring. My favorite is "Presta valves are easire to pump bacause you don't have to depress the spring".

Peraonally, presta valves need a smaller hole in the rim which I see as an advantage if you have narrow rims. Schrader valves, as I've already said, are easier to pump if you have a compressor and the right valve chuck.

Al1943

?? There are at least two references to the smaller hole in above posts.