Is there any reason I can't switch the tubes on my bike from Presta to Sctader ....

I'm guessing the Presta valves are a bit thinner, couldn't I just find out the correct diameter of the Schrader and drill the rim out to the same size???

I think one of the wheels actually has an insert that the Presta feeds through, I wonder if I take that out if it's then the same size as a Scharder tube's valve.

Yes, you'll probably need to drill the valve hole a bit bigger, then smooth out any burrs.

I have drilled out rims for Schrader valves. As I recall, the hole is a smidge bigger than 1/4 inch. I drill the hole first then enlarge it (and smooth it off) with a rat tail file.

If the rim has an insert, you are correct that it should come right out, and that the resulting hole will be Schrader size.

I’ve seen recommendations to use a 21/64” drill bit, but if the closest you have is a 5/16” bit, that’s only 1/64” smaller. If it’s too small, it would probably only take a few seconds with a file.

...or if you’re anywhere outside the U.S. and have metric drill bits, an 8.5 mm bit ought to do the trick.

If you don’t want to go to the trouble of drilling out your rims, you could also get a Presta to Schrader adapter :

https://www.bikenashbar.com/cycling/...s%20&%20Frames

I've got another thread running on this already ...

I just suddenly thought it's the easier option and a bit of work drilling them out will just be easier for the longer term and save having to faff around with an adapter that I'll not be able to find it when you need it.

I wonder why one of the wheels has got an insert and not the other

I suggest you get an adapter then use it on one of your presta tubes as the valve cap. This way you'll always have it handy and you won't have to worry about it. It's good to have in case you need to use a gas station air pump.

Tapered Hand reamer works for me, then rat tail files to take off burrs..


Oh the wonders in life are many..

I got a trekking bike, its schrader drilled rims , came with a Mavic made adapter & P/V tubes..

the idea you are ready to use either type of available tube..








.....

With the rolling eyes that's obviously a sarcastic comment ... so a question ... are you one of those people that are quite intelligent but have absolutely no personality what so ever and constantly have to try and prove to people how clever you are.

If you actually offered some useful advice people may respect you but instead they just think you're a complete T%-t with a comment like that.

There was probably a time that you didn't actually know the answer to the exact same question ... if you did you're obviously god for having such divine wisdom but if you can't make a positive comment / help (that's what forums are designed for) then don't comment at all.

I did it once, pure impulse decision, It took about 60 seconds to ream it out - aluminum rim - with a flat blade screwdriver. There were no ill effects beyond always wondering what possessed me to do it.

Turns out it was s simple job and both wheels did have inserts, removed them and just fitted Schrader tubes ... simple.

Cheers to everyone that helped

after you drill if you ever want to run presta again they make al. sleeves or rubber grommets that allow you to use presta in a schrader size hole.

Sorry, had to chime in on this one. I'd imagine with over 31,000 posts, people take fietsbob seriously, since that many posts indicates a serious commitment to the sport. You can actually search for previous posts by him and look at the level of his answers.

Actually, forums are designed for open discussion, and "open" means both positive and negative comments, including those that indicate an OP might want to do a forehead slap looking back on their own comment. I thought it was in good humor.

He did recommend removing burrs, you might want to check the one in your saddle.

What do your rims look like?

When rims were flat across the top, you could drill them out with no problems what-so-ever, I have a hand reamer that I use for that and it's a piece of cake.

Many rims today, maybe most, have a deeper vertical profile. That requires a little longer valve stem. If your valves are too short, it's hard to thread a hand pump chuck onto the valve especially on Schrader valves. An air compressor Schrader chuck just presses against the top of the valve so it's not affected. If you normally use an air compressor to inflate your tires (the only reason that makes sense to me for making the change), you might not notice until you have a puncture on the road and find your hand pump won't fit well enough to re-inflate your tire.

Number of posts doesn't equate to quality or wisdom of content .... Trump and Twitter are living proof of that

Retro by name and nature !

Too late, he's already done the job, see his post above.

oh man, jealous!

Let's say that someone's sitting there looking at their rim, they see an insert there, they've gone through lots of agony about what to do, they've asked a bunch of questions, and then they solve their own problem without assistance from the advice of others when they could have simply used trial and error, now they, publicly, want to be critical of other Forum members, The President of the United States, and a means of communication successfully used by hundreds of millions of people. Sorry, but I wouldn't take much stock in their opinion of what constitutes "quality or wisdom of content", especially when they found an answer which provided the data that they should have taken the time to look at the rim, first, instead of posing a problem that actually wasn't there. I wouldn't equate that with anything that related to wisdom, or quality, I'd equate it to laziness.

I used to know this co-worker that created problems, complained loudly to everyone who would listen what a horrible problem it was, and then magically became the one to solve them, therefore becoming the hero who could solve problems. I'd imagine that fietsbob's comment "could" be a method of pointing at "wisdom of content", in theoretically-posed problems such as this. My co-worker never saw the light either, he got fired.

However, I'm glad you got your problem worked out, the one with the rim. Sometimes odd discussions create determination....

Gosh .... they're all out today aren't they

I'm an inexperienced person sitting there looking at a rim that has a slightly raised lump around the valve and have absolutely no idea if this is normal, if it is an insert, if it's something that's there to protect a Presta valve and if I try and remove it if I'm going to damage an expensive wheel beyond repair .... hence why I asked in a forum before trying to .... maybe that's a little bit too much for you to comprehend though

Why would anyone want to switch to a valve that stinky old cars use? I will take my presta valves all day every day!

Personally I don't see what advantage they have and when there are 4 other bikes and 4 cars in the family that all have Schrader it's easier to switch the compressor on and top everything up in one hit .... the Schrader to Presta adapters are very hit or miss with a compressor so mainly a convenience thing coupled with the cost of 2 inner tubes was also less than the cost of a quality adapter / different fittings for the tyre inflator ... so nothing against Presta at all.

It sounds like you just need to get them different bikes

Seriously though the non-screw on adapters on our shop schrader compressor head is about $5 and they work like a charm without having to drill rims and swap tubes. Granted I still prefer a good track pump to pump my tires at home but on the clock the compressor is easy.

What are the advantages of presta? I just assumed they deal with high pressure better. I bought a floor pump, because my bike is the only presta valve in the family so it's not a big deal, but I am able to use the compressor on all the cars/other bikes at the house.

I've never had an issue airing up my tires with my air compressor and a Presta-to-Schrader adaptor. It does take a few extra seconds to pull it out of my under seat bag and screw it onto the stem, but once it's on I can put my tires up to 80 PSI where I need them.

But to each their own.

there are none