Presta vs Schrader valves

Breathless Commuter Man

I recently made a mistake ordering some inner tubes online and got Schrader valves rather than Presta valves. I have had Prestas since I bought the bike and assumed that was what I had to have.

The Schraders fit fine and the air stays in them when I put it in so happy. I was just wondering why there are two different sorts of valves, is one more suited to certain conditions or do certain wheels require certain valves?

I only use my bike for commuting, should I be using one sort or doesn't it really matter?

Thanks.

Slow Downcp

Doesn't make a lot of difference (unless you get a puncture and you're pump doesn't fit)

AndyManc

As far as I understand , Presta valves are more suitable for high pressures, 60psi+ .

Schrader valves are the traditional car type valves and are most likely to be found on a mountain bike.

I've never had a bike that needed over 80psi , .. you shouldn't have any problems.

Breathless Commuter Man

Thanks both. My mind is at rest now.

singlespeedexplosif

As far as I understand , Presta valves are more suitable for high pressures, 60psi+ .

Presta are suitable for all pressures, but they're about the only valves you will find on high pressure tubes. Schraeder valves are generally found on kids' bikes.

ansbaradigeidfran

singlespeedexplosif wrote:

As far as I understand , Presta valves are more suitable for high pressures, 60psi+ .

Presta are suitable for all pressures, but they're about the only valves you will find on high pressure tubes. Schraeder valves are generally found on kids' bikes.

- and wide-rimmed mountain bikes, too.

Rich158

Schrader are lighter and need a smaller hole, in what is already a narrow rim on most road bikes

ansbaradigeidfran

Rich158 wrote:

Schrader are lighter and need a smaller hole, in what is already a narrow rim on most road bikes

Wrong way round, you're talking about presta there.
Presta:

Schrader:

Check Sheldon's Words

Rich158

So that's why my tubes never fit, Doh

Feltup

Well that and the kid in the middle doesn't help

marcba

I am quite surprised that you can install schrader valvles tubes in wheels usually used with more narrow presta valves. :shock:
Rims for presta valves have a narrower hole that is not compatible with schrader valves. But you always can use presta valves with rims for schrader valves (it is recommanded to use an adaptator to reduce the size of the hole).

Wrath Rob

ansbaradigeidfran wrote:

singlespeedexplosif wrote:

As far as I understand , Presta valves are more suitable for high pressures, 60psi+ .

Presta are suitable for all pressures, but they're about the only valves you will find on high pressure tubes. Schraeder valves are generally found on kids' bikes.

- and wide-rimmed mountain bikes, too.

I think singlespeedexplosif's comment still stands

biondino

marcba wrote:

I am quite surprised that you can install schrader valvles tubes in wheels usually used with more narrow presta valves. :shock:
Rims for presta valves have a narrower hole that is not compatible with schrader valves. But you always can use presta valves with rims for schrader valves (it is recommanded to use an adaptator to reduce the size of the hole).

Suddenly it makes sense! On the Presta-valved tubes currently on my bike, the not that attaches them firmly to the rim has a two-tier structure, and now I realise that the narrower tier would fit into a Schrader hole...

ansbaradigeidfran

Wrath Rob wrote:

ansbaradigeidfran wrote:

singlespeedexplosif wrote:

As far as I understand , Presta valves are more suitable for high pressures, 60psi+ .

Presta are suitable for all pressures, but they're about the only valves you will find on high pressure tubes. Schraeder valves are generally found on kids' bikes.

- and wide-rimmed mountain bikes, too.

I think singlespeedexplosif's comment still stands

Yeup, I just meant to add that Schraders are found on MTBs as well as kids.

singlespeedexplosif

well, a lot of mtbers run prestas.


*actually - prestas are found on some kids bikes too. So no, my original comment doesn't stand

Rich158

singlespeedexplosif wrote:

well, a lot of mtbers run prestas.

That's generally just the shaved leg, lycra clad XC crowd. Real mountain bikers (for that read downhillers) use schrader as they're bigger and more manly

singlespeedexplosif

ah...you're on to something there. Downhillers use Schraeder.
Because they don't have the intelligence or manual dexterity necessary to work a Presta valve

Rich158

That's because most downhillers have had their brains disconnected at birth a bit like most couriers

I like to think of myself as the missing link, a kind of bastard hybrid of downhiller/roadie

JackBenson59

I use Schraeder. They came on the bike, are easier to use and you can use the car foot pump on them if you want to make it easier (obv. don't carry a large foot pump around, that would be silly).

Surf-Matt

I've snapped a few valve cores on Prestas having spent ages (with mini pump) pumping the tyre up - VERY annoying.

Oddly my Stumpjumper (racey XC MTB) came with Presta but our Rockhopper Disk (bit more laid back) came with Schraeders. I find Prestas more "accurate" and easier to use. Schraeders tend to wobble around, especially when you use a track pump.

alfablue

The snapping valve core with mini-pump problem (I have done a few!) can usually be overcome by using a pump with an extension tube, such as the Topeak road/mountain morphs - or were you using them?

Surf-Matt

Alfa - no I wasn't.

I use a Carbon Blackburn Airstik - and think I must be "wobbling" too much when I pump the tyre up. Dont really want to get another pump so may have to adapt my technique (e.g. hold the pump on the valve more securely).

alfablue

yeah, when it happened to me it was when getting the last few PSI in, tired arms, technique fails! Dare I say, your pump might be a triumph of form over function?

Surf-Matt

Alfa - it was free with a WMB subscription but reviews are nothing but glowing. Oh and the carbon saves....


...FIVE grams

It is SO annoying when you've got ther tyre almost pumped up, you remove the pump and SNAP - it comes off and your tyre goes flat in about 10 seconds - ARGGHHH!!!

cjcp

Surf-Matt wrote:

Alfa - it was free with a WMB subscription but reviews are nothing but glowing. Oh and the carbon saves....


...FIVE grams

It is SO annoying when you've got ther tyre almost pumped up, you remove the pump and SNAP - it comes off and your tyre goes flat in about 10 seconds - ARGGHHH!!!

"Annoying" is putting it midly.

In an effort to reduce that "wobble", I put the valve between my forefinger and middle finger, and place my thumb on the top of the pump to keep the pump down. It doesn't reduce the wobble completely, but it helps.

Or you can just buy the pump Alfa mentioned.

JackBenson59

To keep it still I hook a finger around a spoke or two to help keep the pump on.

il_principe

cjcp wrote:

Surf-Matt wrote:

Alfa - it was free with a WMB subscription but reviews are nothing but glowing. Oh and the carbon saves....


...FIVE grams

It is SO annoying when you've got ther tyre almost pumped up, you remove the pump and SNAP - it comes off and your tyre goes flat in about 10 seconds - ARGGHHH!!!

"Annoying" is putting it midly.

In an effort to reduce that "wobble", I put the valve between my forefinger and middle finger, and place my thumb on the top of the pump to keep the pump down. It doesn't reduce the wobble completely, but it helps.

Or you can just buy the pump Alfa mentioned.

Nutters. I use a topeak micro rocket pump, but only to get enough air in the tubes for installation. Co2 canisters do the rest of the job - no arsing about on the side of the road with a handpump.