buttbybrooks

Hello out there in Pannierville. My current touring bike has Presta rims would it be prudent to bore them out to accept Schrader valves or are Presta tubes easy to be found in NZ?

Thanks in advance.

Nomad

We toured on Presta, but then we carried spares with us and didn't need to buy any extra tubes (between us we only had one or two punctures for the whole 4 weeks). But don't worry, they do have bike shops in NZ with mountain bikes & road bikes so I'm sure you'll be fine, but you should carry a few spares as there won't be a shop in every town!

BostonFixed

What I would do is to drill out the rim that so that it can accept schrader valves in a pinch. Run your regular prestas and carry a spare or two or three, and of course a patch kit. If you suffer horrendous blowouts or something, you can always use schreaders if there is no other alternative.
I've run this setup for years and i've never had a problem with a presta tube in a rim with a slightly larger valve hole for a schrader valve.

saddlesores

i had no problems with prestas in kiwiland, but then don't think i had any flats
over the six month period.

if you want to be safe and drill your rim for schrader, stop by your local lbs.
get a schrader->presta adapter, a little 25-cent thingy that fits in the
schrader hole and holds the presta stem tightly.

Johnny_Monkey

I'm pretty sure they have presta valves in NZ along with running water, electricity etc...

buttbybrooks

It's more a question of availability throughout NZ (urban vs. rural that sort of thing), but thanks for the tip on running water and electricity.

Johnny_Monkey

No problems. I think you'll find that any reasonably sized town will have a bike shop or a shop that doubles as one ie lawnmower shops, gas stations etc...

All bike shops will sell both types of valve.

hoogie

Hey there ... As a Kiwi riding lots in New Zealand, I use both types of valve ... you won't have any problems getting new tubes of any type here ... what you may have issues with is filling them ... if you have a decent pump then you will be OK with presta valve tubes ... tubes with schrader valves can be filled at most petrol stations ... also there is often a long way between towns with bike stores or supplies too, most country garages have very basic bike spares, and towns on main touring routes often carry a few extra touring related spares [basic selection of tyres, cables, etc] ...
But, do carry a couple of spare tubes with you anyway ...

Rowan

I wouldn't have thought NZ had discovered presta valves yet. I mean, it's so so remote from the civilised world (one who lives in the cloistered world of North America might forget NZ actually held sailing's America's Cup, leads the world in huge-yacht technology, flies between continents with its national airline, and actually won a few medals in Olympic cycling last year).

Really, touring the Antipodes is no different from touring continental North America. The distances between useful towns with bike shops is probably shorter.

Has someone pointed out that the guy should check the length of the presta valves against his proposed schraeder valves and the V in his rims to make absolutely sure the schraeder stems will be long enough? Tricky things that V in the rims... Oh yeah, if he does drill, has anyone pointed out he should be meticulous in removing the dross from inside the rim walls to avoid future punctures? And that the drilling needs to include both the inner as well as outer part of the extrusion?

I'd leave things as they are and carry at least three spare tubes plus patches and glue kit. Served me well in Europe for two months in late 2003. So well in fact, that I didn't need the stuff because I didn't have any punctures over there.

Merriwether

It's New Zealand, not the Congo.

Although Rowan's got an antipodean chip on his shoulder, I do agree with him that you don't need to drill for Schraeder tubes any more than you do before touring in the U.S. A pain in the butt project like that is absolutely unnecessary. Just bring spares. bring patches.

I had to replace a few spokes on tour down there, and I didn't have enough. The local bike shop in some town-- a place called Kerri-Kerri (sp?)-- was also a lawnmower shop. The proprieter was none too friendly-- unusual for NZ-- but he had what I needed. Even a place like that had some spare parts, plenty of presta tubes, etc., is the point. So, if by some stroke of very bad luck you run through three or four spare tubes, you *can* buy them outside of Auckland, Wellington, or Christchurch.

NZ is a great place to tour. You'll have a great time.

buttbybrooks

I didn’t realize a simple equipment question was an indictment of a country’s technological savvy. I would ask the same question for any country where I’m traveling through its rural areas.

The laundry list of NZ achievements was really unnecessary. However I was unaware of the yacht technology prowess. I hear yachts are making a comeback.

simsi

So my wooden wheels have been superceded by something more advanced, that need air put into them? Could you please tell me let me know what this amazing-sounding technology is, as it can be very uncomfortable on the cart tracks out here!

Ian

Rowan

You know, the idea that America is the epicentre of the universe, and anywhere else just couldn't have the same level of civilisation, puts chips on quite a few people's shoulders.

saddlesores

awright, southern hemisphere peoples, knock it off. op asked a reasonable
question. how else is he to find out if presta is available? geeeeze, it's not
like he asked whether he'd have to be guard against headhunters, or if'n
y'all still throw virgins into volcanoes.

now if y'all were planning a trip to the u-s-of-by-gawd-a wouldn't you want
to know if 700c tires were commonly available? of course you would. and
yes, we got 'em....even if they are built to sissy french metric standards.

BostonFixed

America is the epicenter of the universe. 'Nuff said.

buttbybrooks

Can’t we talk about something less controversial than tube valves, like abortion or capital punishment?

Rowan

Actually, you're right. There is no role for an opinion outside an American's.

See ya.

Johnny_Monkey

I can tell you that NZ has one and not the other.

I think the areas that are the most isolated in NZ (mostly in the South Island) generally have the best roads so you should be ok puncture wise.

When are you going? At the moment NZ is having one of its worst summers on record.

NZ is beautiful though, but they drive on the left.

Juha

--J

Cycler

I ride and live in Hamilton New Zealand and more important than valve type is the bike setup.
Here in NZ we have stone chip sealed roads and not much Asphalt surfaces.
This leaves a rough surface that you ride on. If you are on 700's get big ones.
700X23 is about as small as we go over here.
Most of the country is "rolling hill country" with most hills being shorter and steeper than expected. You are most likely to experience winds of some sort or another on near every ride. mostly not too bad, but being smaller. longish islands, the winds will be there.
Real bad summer so far, but normally hot as during Feb to April. You can ride all year round here although it can get a bit rough riding in winter down south.
One more tip: keep tyre pressures up to near max recommended pressure as snake bite flats are common on our "rough" roads.
Hope this helps.
Tailwinds and downhills everywhere.
Hoppy

axolotl

Cycler makes a good point about the NZ road surfaces. Very true. For what it's worth, I've toured in NZ twice (with presta valves), and had no flats. I use Kevlar tires. Personally, I think a patch kit and just one spare tube is sufficient. NZ is a civilized place, and in the unlikely event you need to buy another tube, you'll be able to find one.

hoogie

C'mon ... you folks on Pig Island are too soft!!! Winter on The Mainland isn't too bad, best kept secret really ... Otherwise I agree totally with what Cycler says ...

ajst2duk

Wow, how did I miss this barnyard brawl, that's no way to treat the nuclear-free southern defenders of the First World.
Good advice on the road surfaces, coarse chip, makes for long rides if your bike transmits vibes well.
You will need also to practice your sprinting, as Orcs lurk in the shadows out on the country roads. Just stop by Frodo Baggins place for some advice on those.
Oh - yeah, we have good beer here too, no need to byo that budweasle stuff.
Enjoy :-)

Paul L.

Ummm, I have been riding in rural Arizona, USA and had trouble finding presta valves so I don't think it is necessarily a country thing. I wasn't touring, but was in the middle of a double century late on a Saturday and Walmart only carries schrader valves (and before you get on me for not having spares, I had over 13 flats that night and was able to cope due to a large supply of glue patches I carry no thanks to the Walmart).