GetUpnGo

I just got a Jamis Coda Sport, set up with mountain gears (22-32-44 front and 11-34 rear) and an upright swept-back bar. One thing that bugs me is the presta rims (Alex ID-19 alloy double-wall, 32H). I don't think presta is a good choice for touring in rural reas and I find them delicate (broke a valve once).

Guess I should have asked to swap the rims when I bought the bike, but I felt I had already requested too many changes. What do you think of these rims? What would you recommend if I replace them?

prathmann

Those don't sound like particularly narrow rims, so I'd suggest drilling them out to fit Schrader valves if that's what you prefer. Only takes a few seconds - then debur any rough edges.

sstorkel

Personally, I've had more problems with Schrader valves than Presta. On tour, I carry a 2-3 spare tubes and an adapter that will let me fill them from a gas station air hose in case my bike pump breaks. That combined with a pump that won't break the valve (e.g. Topeak Morph) seems to be all I need...

GetUpnGo

I heard that drilling out the rim weakens it. True?

prathmann

Technically any removal of material will weaken things. But I can't see any problem with making the valve hole just a bit larger on any but the very narrowest rims. Rims tend to break at spoke holes (due to the tension there), at the brake surface when it gets thin from usage, or due to impacts. Don't think I've ever seen a rim break at the valve hole. Like sstorkel, I don't have a problem with Presta valves and most of my bikes use them. But if I wanted Schrader I'd have no qualms about drilling the holes a little bigger.

Northwestrider

When I used presta valves for the first time, I didn't like them much as well. I had to many flats due to the valve stem breaking. Then I figured out why. The small knurled ring that fits over the valve should not be on tight at all. After I eased up on that little ring by un screwing a few turns, I have had no problem with them at all. Now I prefer them. If you have that ring on even snugly, that could be your problem.

positron

no.

rodar y rodar

I`ve reamed out several presta rims to fit schraeders, but always before lacing (easier, but probably results the same). My biggest reason is just to keep everything the same. Unless you have other bikes with schraeders of the same wheel size, I don`t see much point in changing. If you do want to change, don`t sweat it. BTW- a step drill or a series of reamers will leave less burr to clean up than a twist drill bit.

nashcommguy

Find non-threaded tubes...Continental makes some. Others do, too. They're much less likely to snap off at the rim. Also, get a Topeak Road Morph, w/gauge frame pump. 30-35.00 w/free shipping from www.bikeisland.com. It'll save you tons of grief, believe me. Worth every dime. DON'T get the Mountain Morph as it doesn't have a gauge.

sstorkel

FYI, Mountain Morph + Gauge = Turbo Morph.

cyccommute 

+1 When they make rims they don't have rims that are beefier for schrader valves and ones that are lighter for presta. Same rim and rim material but they just drill a bigger hole.

On the other hand, presta does have advantages. Simpler mechanism, easier to pump up and almost impossible to deflate if you put the pump chuck on wrong. Schrader valves have to be depressed by the pump chuck to inflate the tire. If it leaks, you have more pumping to do. The Schrader valve is also more susceptible to cuts from the rim (make sure you deburr the rim if you drill it out).

cyccommute 

You can find presta valved tubes at lots of HelMarts in the hinterlands. You just have to know what to look for. They have 27" tubes which are all schrader but they also carry 700C tubes which are mostly presta. If you can find them in Texarkana and Mena AR, you should be able to find them anywhere.

NoReg

" If you can find them in Texarkana and Mena AR, you should be able to find them anywhere. "

Well you should, but I doubt you will, even just on the basis of stock. What about drilling out to schrader, then inserting the adapter for presta, and running the presta until you run out of your own stock, if ever? Might reduce valve breakage because the whole thing is seated in rubber. Never tried it though so I don't know.

sstorkel

So pack a couple (2-3) spare Presta tubes and start looking for a real bike shop if you manage to destroy the valve on one of them. My guess is that your chances of being stranded because you've ruined all 4-5 Presta valves, before you were able to resupply at a bike shop, is minimal. Assuming you know how to change a tire, of course.

chevy42083

I'm the opposite... I make sure it's tight. Then I make sure i don't flex it back and forth.
Lezyne makes some mini pumps that have a hose if that's what you need to not flex it around.

i also keep one of the $.50 adapters on each bike incase I need to find a gas station pump, or someone has a pump setup for shrader (so I don't have to fumble changing their pump)

NoReg

I agree one probably won't go through that many tubes, but I don't carry a lot of spare tubes either, I'm just asking what is the downside of having oversized holes and an adapter in them. If it doesn't cause problems it could be the best of both worlds. Particularly given that modern pumps normally inflate either tube type.

I guess another issue is what other people in the group will be using since everyone having compatible stuff is an advantage. I tour solo, so I don't really care for the most part.

cyccommute 

Ever been to Mena, AR? Not exactly a hot bed of bicycling. Based on my rather suprising experiences of finding presta valved tubes in Helmarts (notice the plural there) in Lower Podunkylvania, AR, I'd say it's worth a look. Presta tubes aren't nearly as rare outside of major cities as people think. And if you can't find them at the particular Helmart you are currently at, just travel down the road 20 miles and you'll find another Helmart.

prathmann

Any place that is big enough to sell bike tubes of any kind is also likely to have a service station with a reamer, drill, or other tool to let me enlarge the holes in my rims. If I really had to I could probably manage it with the Swiss Army knife I carry along on tours. But so far it's never been an issue - I always patch my punctured tubes once I'm at any extended stop so it's really rare that I'd have to buy one on the road. And, as cyccommute said, Presta valves are pretty commonly found even in smaller towns.

cyclist2000

[QUOTE=Peterpan1;11137921]I'm just asking what is the downside of having oversized holes and an adapter in them. If it doesn't cause problems it could be the best of both worlds. Particularly given that modern pumps normally inflate either tube type.
QUOTE]

I don't think that this is a good idea. The adapters that I have seen attach to the end of the presta stem at the threads where the plastic cap covers. Drilling an oversized hole will expose the rubber inner tube to the edgof the widened hole. This would tend to cut the inner tube at the hole. I just see lots of problems not a best of both worlds scenario.

prathmann

Different kind of adapter. There are little rubber grommets you can fit into the Schrader-sized hole in your rim to convert it to Presta size. The metal edge of the hole is covered and doesn't touch the tube.

Sounds like you're talking about the adapters which let you inflate a Presta tube using a gas station compressor or other pump that's designed for Schrader.

nashcommguy

Knew that. Bike Island doesn't carry the Turbo Morph, just the Mountain Morph. But, thanks for the heads up anyway.

desconhecido 

Treefort has the turbo morph for $30 and the road morph for $26. Amazon has them both but for a little bit more with free shipping.

cyccommute 

This is the adapter for converting the rim from schrader to presta.



The adapter you are thinking of cyclist2000 is this



Different beasty altogether.

cyclist2000

Ooh. I assumed that since earlier posts talked about the second adapter that the OP was talking about the same adapters.

badamsjr

+1 on the Turbo Morph. Has the T-handle, fold down foot, hose, and flip-down analog 160psi gauge. Only one I carry anymore.