Retro Grouch 

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.

CdCf

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

Retro Grouch 

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

East Hill

Nah, the thinner Presta is much more elegant.

East Hill

vpiuva

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

simplify

+1.

JustBrowsing

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...

gcl8a

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.

frankenmike 

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.

Stacey

Presta = aero.

East Hill

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

East Hill

roccobike

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.

mycoatl

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

DevilsGT2

Presta with a schrader adapter.

OLDYELLR

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.

Wogster

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.....

Sci-Fi

The main problem is that the air chuck needs to be changed to this type:


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.

King of Kadence

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

JustBrowsing

The man does have a point...Although those Presta rockets at the bottom are pretty cool...

reve_etrange

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...

humble_biker

An innie is the way to go no doubt about it.

Portis

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

DiabloScott

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.

Flanderflop

#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.

gpelpel

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).