RainmanP

I have always used Scrader valves so in an extreme emergency I could use, say the air hose at a service station (though I always have a pump0. Do presta valves have any advantage over Schrader? Do they handle higher pressures (120 psi) better or anything? Do some rims only take one or the other? I was just wondering if there is some objective reason why they are popular among cyclists or if it is more of a tradition from European racing heritage.
Regards,
Raymond

Joe Gardner

My rims came as presta rims, but i had the LBS drill them out so i could use any type of tube if i need too. 99% of the time, i use a standard presta tube with a shrader to presta adapter on the rim.

I use presta for a few reasons, thet tube will not turn in the tire, as the valve is bolted through the valve hole. The valve is not spring loaded, to deflate you just need to overcome the air presure inside the tube, you can get a lighter presta tube then a schrader tube. The nice thing about schrader tubes, is you can get them anywhere, you can get air at gas stations, price is usualy a bit cheaper then presta.

Im not sure if presta tubes can hold a higher PSI, anyone else know?

LittleBigMan

Raymond,

I am not an expert on the advantages of Presta vs. Schrader valves. But for a dollar you can get a little screw-on
adapter that allows schrader-type pumps to attach to presta valves, should you ever choose to use them.

Good to hear from you again,

Pete

Hunter

Joe had some good points on the advantages. Raymond you answered you rown question. Presta valves are made to hold higher pressures. If you have scrader valve tubes and holes drilled for them in your rims you can get adapters to hold Presta as well as the other adapters mentioned for inflation.

RainmanP

Thanks, guys. So it sounds like another one of those things that is, to a certain extent, anyway, a matter of personal preference. It's really a toss-up all the way around since I always have my pump, which, like most pumps these days, will handle either.