What diameter hole do I need in the rim for a Schrader valve?
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What diameter hole do I need in the rim for a Schrader valve?
I'm new in the area I'm in now. I got a bike that has presta valves, but the cheapest on Amazon are the Schrader tubes. I have a slight preference for them anyway, so I want to drill out the rims a bit to allow this. I'm in a slightly rural area and Amazon beats the only bike shop around.
I'm hoping that it's a standard bit size like about 5/16 inch. I realize I will need to be careful to smooth the edges of the hole after drilling. Are there any problems with doing this?
I'm hoping that it's a standard bit size like about 5/16 inch. I realize I will need to be careful to smooth the edges of the hole after drilling. Are there any problems with doing this?
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A 5/16 inch bit will work fine for drilling out the hole. I actually just got done converting a mountain bike rim from presta. The one thing to be careful of is rim width. If this is a narrow rim like found on road bikes, making the hole larger could potentially reduce the strength of the rim at that point.
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In the past, I used a hand reamer to enlarge presta holes to just big enough for schrader.
I prefer presta now.
I prefer presta now.
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A quick search on Amazon showed they do carry Presta valve bike tubes at a variety of prices, including very reasonable. I wouldn't compromise my rim to save a few cents on my tubes.
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All to save what? $1? At most?
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There are plenty of reputable online retailers beside Amazon. A little digging should turn up plenty of good deals on Presta valve tubes. I echo the above comments recommending against drilling your rims.
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Does eBay beat 5 for $10?
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/174...--Set-of-5.htm
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/174...--Set-of-5.htm
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I don't see any issue with enlarging the valve hole unless the existing hole is already right up against the rim walls. I've done it on a few rims without any ill effects and have never seen a rim fail at the valve hole. OTOH, I've seen lots of rims fail at the brake tracks, spoke holes, or as a result of impacts on the rim edge. The valve hole area doesn't seem to be highly stressed.
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+1, no reason not to enlarge the valve hole for Shrader valves if that's what you prefer. The only limitation is rim width. It's not a matter of strength, but the need for the clearance for the wider valve between the beads of the mounted tire.
If you have fairly narrow rims, make a valve sandwich between the tire beads, and compare to the inside rim width. You want at least 1/16" clearance so the valve doesn't bind and can seat properly, 1/8" in better.
If you have fairly narrow rims, make a valve sandwich between the tire beads, and compare to the inside rim width. You want at least 1/16" clearance so the valve doesn't bind and can seat properly, 1/8" in better.
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Last edited by FBinNY; 12-03-11 at 12:22 AM.
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Thank you, and that's a size I do have.
Great link. I just checked and getting 10 tubes costs a total of $23 including California tax and insurance. I was expecting a large shipping charge but there wasn't any. (I'm stuck in California for a bit.)
Presta and Schrader cost the same in the size I want, but I'll probably get Schrader anyway. I'll think about it and maybe go through to check out on the weekend.
I did ask a manager at a bike shop a few months ago and he said there was no problem drilling out the holes as long as they were kept smooth. But it was nice to hear a couple more people with some experience say that too.
So altogether quite a lot of helpful comments. Thank you.
Does eBay beat 5 for $10?
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/174...--Set-of-5.htm
https://www.pricepoint.com/detail/174...--Set-of-5.htm
Presta and Schrader cost the same in the size I want, but I'll probably get Schrader anyway. I'll think about it and maybe go through to check out on the weekend.
I did ask a manager at a bike shop a few months ago and he said there was no problem drilling out the holes as long as they were kept smooth. But it was nice to hear a couple more people with some experience say that too.
So altogether quite a lot of helpful comments. Thank you.
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I probably don't have that size in my drill bits but it sounds more precise. I sometimes make a hole a bit bigger by putting the drill in at a bit of an angle and then rotating it. If it seems tight at all, that's what I'll probably do for the extra 64th.
Thank you too.
Thank you too.
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I probably don't have that size in my drill bits but it sounds more precise. I sometimes make a hole a bit bigger by putting the drill in at a bit of an angle and then rotating it. If it seems tight at all, that's what I'll probably do for the extra 64th.
Thank you too.
Thank you too.
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