Originally Posted by
merlinextraligh
1) it's lighter.
2) it's mechanicaly simpler, i.e. less **** to fail.
3) it puts a smaller hole in the rim.
4) going to a gas station to fill your tires is a) a PITA, and,
b) not a very good way to regulate your pressure. (gas station pumps are made for cars not bikes).
5) you need a solution that allows you to fill your tubes when there is no gas station around.
6) high quality light, tubes are available in presta, not so much in schaeder,
7) high quality, light, are rims don't come sized for schraeder.
Did I miss anything?
8) If you ride 700/23c wheels, you'll have a hell of a time finding tubes.
9) Unless you still ride box rims where the shortest stems will do, forget about finding tubes at all
10) They are easier to use
I've ridden for decades on both schrader and presta, and I strongly prefer presta. I can't say I've ever had a problem with a presta valve, and the only people I've heard complain about them had somehow managed to not figure out how they work.
As far as using a compressor or a gas station pump, I know I can fill my tires completely even with a crappy mini pump long before you can even get to a compressor or gas station (neither sounds attractive to me since the vast majority of my riding is many miles from either). But as has been mentioned already, you can use the $1 adapters, though you still have to operate the presta valve properly. The advice about tapping the valve to make sure it's loose still applies when using the adapter.