jowilson

Just got new tires and tubes yesterday and I saw some Presta tubes in the shop and thought that I might just try them out and see how I like them. The tires are Freedom Cruz 26x1.5" and so far I'm really liking them, even going from 1.95" tires. Anyway, I have a spare tube left in my pannier that is a 26x2.0-2.35, and I know I can't use it with my skinnier tires and I'm curious if a bike shop would be lenient enough as to take the tue back. It's not in the original box, I don't have the receipt, but the tube is brand new, never-been-used or inflated. I was hoping they would do a trade and switch the 2" tube for a 1.5" presta valve one. Does anyone's LBS let customers to that sort of stuff?

Second, I have a gauge that only works with Schraeder valve, but does someone make a gauge for only Presta valves? Or am I better off getting a Presta-to-Schraeder adapter?

Third, my shop (the one I volunteer at) ran out of 26x1.5-1.75 inner tubes, but I was able to find two hidden away, which I am using on my bike now. We have plenty of 26x 1 3/8" inner tubes, and I'm curious if one can use a fractional inner tube on a decimal tire, although there would be a bit of expansion problems with a tube that is a tad smaller than the tire.

TIA,

Josh

cny-bikeman

Does not matter if some other shop would trade tubes, though I doubt it, only thing that counts is if yours will - so why ask us?

You can use an adpapter on the valve or on the pump, or buy a pump that does both - choice is yours. Just Google Presta valve adapter.

1 3/8 tube is no problem on a 1.95 tire will only be slightly thinner, and no such thing as fractional/decimal measurement is irrelevent. Any tube that has a width equivalent to or smaller (or even slightly larger) than your tire will work. Read https://sheldonbrown.com/tires.html for more info on tires/tubes.

Grand Bois

There are gauges made for presta valves. I used to have one. I can't say I've missed it. Both my floor pump and compressor have gauges.

jowilson

I wouldn't be using a 1 3/8" tube in the 1.95" tire. I would be using the 1 3/8" tube in a 1.5" tire. I assume that will work anyway though?

And you are right, asking you about my LBS's policies was stupid. I may ride over to them today and ask them if they'll trade inner tubes.

nhluhr

You might be able to save yourself some time... I don't think there's a bikeshop in the world that would make this exchange.

Crankycrank

Yeah, trying to return a tube with no box or receipt is really bad form. Not fair to ask ANY shop to do this for the sake of saving a few bucks. Give (or sell) it to someone who can use it.

LesterOfPuppets

There's a good chance those fractional 26es are for 590mm tires and they often fold/kink when inserted into 559mm MTB tires.

zukahn1

If new while not ideal a tube rated for 2.0 should work fine with 1.50 tire.

Delmarva

Seems obvious but I think the best place to ask whether a tube can be returned would be the bike shop. In my experience most merchants don't take returns with no receipt and box.
Get a gauge for the presta stem.
The tube should work, but why don't you wait for the correct size or look elsewhere?

These seem like basic questions for someone who works at a bike shop.

caloso

I did not know you could use a presta tube in a rim that is drilled for shrader valves. It doesn't push through the bigger diameter hole and cut itself on the edge? Is there some sort of adapter gasket involved?

ThermionicScott 

+1, I think there's a washer/gasket you'll want to use before installing it.

As to the other questions, some tubes (like Schwalbe's AV/PV 12) are sized for both 26"x1.75" and 26"x1-3/8", which is convenient for folks like me who have both tire sizes in their fleet. I would suspect (but won't guarantee) that there are other tubes out there, marked as 26"x1.5-1.75" or 26"x1-3/8" that would work in both. As always, make sure the tube is partially inflated before installing it to avoid pinches/kinks.

Medic Zero

There's an insert you can get for them, but only on my most recent (used) bike purchase that came with them have I ever used them. I don't recall ever having problems with the Presta tubes in my Schrader rims. I always use the little knurled metal washer thing that comes with each one to hold the tube in place.

fietsbob

Every fraction has a decimal / metric equivalent... Ideally learn to use the ETRO numbers in place of either.
they are in the tire molds these days ... ie use 559-50 instead of 26 x2"

EA3 26"rims are larger diameter than MTB 26".. tubes get folded to fit , in a no alternative situation..

the CoOp should be restocking more tubes in the week , given puncture repairs are the most common repair.

howeeee

They make presta valve gauges,,

JTGraphics

I have 2 bike with rims drilled for Schraeder valves but I like using Presta tubes I do use the adapters so the tubes do not want to come out of the larger valve holes I have the "O"type on one and the machined type on another I have found depending on the rim type one is better than the other.