What Type of Valve to Use for Touring – Schrader or Presta
Presta Valve ————- Schrader Valve
Here are a mix of feelings and observations. They probably won’t change your mind if you already have strong feelings.
On the road, it is much easier to find a pump that works with schrader valves than prestas. If you are stuck and have schrader valves you can always go to a gas station and very carefully inflate your tires. If you have prestas, you will need to find a bike shop or another rider with a presta pump. For example, in Newfoundland there are gas stations every 60 miles but about 500 miles between bike shops.
My feeling was that I had more problems with presta tubes than schrader tubes when I used prestas. They just seemed to be less sturdy. Other long distance riders I have talked with have the same feeling. This isn’t proof it is just my perception.
Yes, prestas can be easier to inflate and may have stronger rims. If you ride mostly near your home or with groups make your choice.
But there doesn’t seem to be enough of a practical advantage with prestas to off set the disadvantages for the long distance rider.
References: See Presta Tube WarningÂ
Opinion – What type of valve to use for touring
Opinion on what type of valve stem is the best for touring.
Anonymous
May 21, 2006 at 10:03 am
My new bike pump has already proven me wrong. It has a screw on adapter that depresses the schrader valve spring eliminating the presta advantage when pumping. The pump is an Air Revoultion see, http://ebent.wordpress.com/2006/05/17/a-bike-pump-that-really-works/
ebent
May 29, 2006 at 4:31 pm
[...] If you are running a narrow 26″ tire don’t make the mistake of using too big a tube. If the tube is too big you will have a hard time preventing pinch flats when you replace the tube on the road. The right tube may be hard to find but here is a list of places where you can find them – 26X1.25 and 26X1.5 tubes. Don’t worry about brand very much, there aren’t many places makes these tubes but there are a lot of different boxes. I recommend Schrader valves for touring (see What Type of Valve to Use for Touring – Schrader or Presta). [...]
Tire Repair Tools « eBent Recumbent Cycling
March 2, 2008 at 10:41 am
I’m not sure about this.
I doubt that rim strength difference is significant but a presta is very easy to get to high pressure with a hand pump. A schrader isn’t.
A small brass collar can be screwed onto a presta to allow a garage pump to fit. I carry two pumps anyway. No way would I think 60 miles between petrol station air pumps a reasonable distance to go to get my tyre at the correct pressure.
Overall, as I expect to be hand pumping, and because I can adapt it for garage pumps, I choose presta.
Love this blog. I’ve only just discovered it having bought a Ran clone lwb recumbent recently.
Cheers
dexey
April 28, 2008 at 2:43 pm
Hi, do you know the part # of the adapter for the presta valve to be able to use a schrader type pump?
I’ve been looking around and can’t seem to locate one.
Cheers,
steve
July 4, 2010 at 9:20 am
dexey glad you enjoy. We’ll just have to disagree on tubes but I’ve always said the only times you get agreement is when people aren’t interested.
What really soured me on Prestas were the batches of bad tubes that Michelin produced about the time I started self contained touring with a friend in Georgia during the winter. I had used only Prestas on my diamond frames for years for the reasons you cited. But for several years, the Presta valves would pull out of the tubes at the worst possible times. Taking the usual precautions didn’t help. One tube would be good and the next one would fail quickly.
Please bring up questions for discussion as you run into them. We may not agree but there is always something to lean in civil discussion.
Roland
April 30, 2008 at 2:44 pm
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cosmetica natural
April 15, 2012 at 3:57 pm
[...] http://ebent.wordpress.com/2006/05/19/what-type-of-valve-to-use-for-touring-schrader-or-presta/ [...]
Presta vs. Schrader valves | BumsOnTheSaddle Presta vs. Schrader valves | We love cycling and want to re-define the way cycling is experienced in India
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