Presta Vs Schrader

aidso
aidso Posts: 493
edited July 2011 in MTB buying advice
Is there any noticeable difference in the two types of inner tube in terms of cost, performance or maintenance? I have always gone for the Schrader in the past but have run out and wondering should I switch?

A.

Comments

  • Monkeypump
    Monkeypump Posts: 1,528
    I've used Presta for years now and haven't noticed any improvement in performance or maintenance. They're a bit more fiddly to inflate, and you should be more careful not to bend the valve, but that's really it. The margin is tiny.

    I changed because a new pair of rims came drilled for Presta, as have all my rims since.

    There is an argument that the smaller hole required maintains the integrity/stiffness of the rim better, but I think improvements in rim/wheel design negate the small difference valve hole size may make.

    Of course, this is only my personal experience.

    If you're not changing anything else (rims), what has prompted the idea of changing valves?
  • andrewjoseph
    andrewjoseph Posts: 2,165
    I use presta for several reasons:

    longer valve usually easier to get pump onto.
    will fit in presta or schrader drilled rims.
    can shut off valve.
    looks better. :wink:

    A bit of grit in a schrader valve will mean a leak, you can close a presta valve pretty tight, if you feel a bit of grit you can usually clean it.

    if a friend with presta drilled rims has a problem and you only have schrader valves, you can't help them out. if they have schrader and you have presta your inner tube will fit.
    --
    Burls Ti Tourer for Tarmac, Saracen aluminium full suss for trails
  • aidso
    aidso Posts: 493
    The idea to change has just come about as I am now out of spare tubes and a few of the guys I ride with have presta tubes. So I thought I was going to change to those and in the event you forgot a pump someone would have one.

    I am the only one in my group who has Shrader. Someone suggested that they let in water (I don't understand how) but I don't have any difficulties with the Shraders otherwise.
  • flester
    flester Posts: 464
    Any problems with Presta valves in the bigger Schrader rim holes?

    Our shed contains 26" schrader-drilled rims, 700c schrader-drilled rims, and 700c Presta-drilled rims. Would be great if we only needed to stock presta tubes!!!
    'I do not believe in the three-speed gear at all', the sergeant was saying. 'It is a newfangled instrument, it crucificies the legs, the half of the accidents are due to it.' (From 'The Third Policeman')
  • apreading
    apreading Posts: 4,535
    You can get a little adapter which properly allows presta to fit in a schrader hole.

    However many here seem to talk about running them without the adapter, not sure I would do that on a long term basis though.
  • captainfly
    captainfly Posts: 1,001
    I prefer schrader valves because my dice valve caps :wink:
    Novelty valve caps are lucky :D
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  • cooldad
    cooldad Posts: 32,599
    I would stick with whatever your rims are drilled for.
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