Lascauxcaveman 

I like how the little knurled ring on a presta valve screws down to hold the stem in a solid position on the rim while you push the inflator head onto it. Can't say that about a Schrader.

Like anyone who has a lot of old bikes; of course I have both kinds.

zze86

They have schraeder that are threaded like that too! Just found out recently myself.

Insidious C. 

For a given pressure the Presta will see less axial force trying to eject the pump head. This is because of the smaller diameter of the stem. I guess you could argue that Presta is therefore better for higher pressure tires. BITD I owned floor pumps with Presta heads that did not even clamp onto the stem. You simply pushed the head onto the stem and it stayed in place while your two hands were on the handle of the floor pump.

Lascauxcaveman 

Well, I guess you can say that about a Schrader, then. Never seen one of those in the flesh, but I hope to, someday.

JaccoW

There is one area where Schrader has an advantage and that is expedition touring. If you somehow lose or damage your pump you can always find a gas station and pump your tires there as they are the same as car valves.

I prefer replacing Dunlop/Woods/Dutch valves with Schrader ones because while those are really easy to service they make it impossible to check the tire pressure.

John E

Schraders are for cars and trucks; prestas are for bicycles. Wasn't that easy?

I have convertible "bilingual" floor pumps to handle both, and I have kept a presta-to-schrader adapter screwed onto a bolt (water bottle clamp, downtube shift clamp, whatever is available) on every bicycle I have owned, in case I ever do need to inflate a tire at a gas station.

Grand Bois

Adapters are cheap and their weight is negligible.
None of my bikes have dork disks, turkey wings or Schrader valves.

davester

Also note that the adapter will thread onto the clamp bolt of a Campy NR derailleur which is where I always stored mine for easy access.

MarcoBianchi

Adapters? I have one in my wallet even I'm not travelling by bike now!
And a little screwdriver too!

MarcoBianchi

Sorry I forgot the picture or it didn't happen.

noglider 

I find presta valves easier to deal with. At least try them before you convert.

bwilli88 

In Cambodia I change all my tubes to Schrader because they have no idea how to fill Presta. There are tons of Woods or Dunlap valves that I immediately change and throw out. Here in America I go with what ever.

Homebrew01

My only problem with presta is that some pump head's rubber wears out after a while, especially with non-smooth valve stems. So it can be a pain to find your pump head no longer makes a tight seal with the valve and you need to fix/replace it.

DiegoFrogs

Schraeder and Dunlop use the same larger rim hole diameter, and Presta and Dunlop use the same pump head.

Nowadays on my bikes here in Europe, I have 2 with Presta and one with Dunlop valves. My floor pump can handle everything, but my only frame pump takes some work to switch between them, so I find this is easier for me and Dunlop is the only local solution that fits the larger valve hole here.

In the USA, for a couple weeks a year, I ride a 1980s MTB with Schraeder valves. For those couple weeks I convert the frame pump, never end up using it, and the floor pump that I keep there also handles both systems easily.

Of the three systems, as a guy who doesn't ride super high pressures any longer, I think Dunlop is the most robust and sensible system... after having never had the experience until I was in my 30's!

Hudson308 

Or a Suntour Power Shifter clamp.

I have no preference for Schrader or Presta, although it's easier to get an accurate pressure reading on my Park pump with Schrader valves.