Schraeder vs Presta Valves

[LeeNetworX]

OK, I've always used tubes with Schraeder valves up until a couple of years ago, when I put new tires on my MTB; decided to give Prestas a try. Yes, I used grommets on the rims in the stem holes. I've now had my 4th leaky valve stem since using Presta valves. The first two I could have accepted as being my fault, since I could have possibly not mounted the tube perfectly on the rim. But the last two were put on by a bike shop. Sunday morning we drove to a local green way and were going to take a ride, then I found my rear tube was leaking.

I'm going back to Schraeder. Has anyone else had issues with Presta?

[Homeslice]

Which ones are which? You talking about the ancient ones, like what cars use, or the newer ones with a skinny little thing in the middle?

[LeeNetworX]

If you don't know the difference between the two, you obviously have nothing to add to this thread. :lol

[Homeslice]

I know the difference between the two, seeing as how I have 2 bikes with both of them, but I forgot which name applies to which. But if you're going to force me to do a Google search instead of answering my question, so be it.

[LeeNetworX]

Do you realize you could have Googled it and gotten the answer in much shorter time than it took you to reply? :?:

[Homeslice]

Do you realize you could have answered my question in less time than you spent on your two pseudo-replies thus far?

[CasterTroy]

My neighbor has those Presta Valves on his MTB

He's ALWAYS complaining about them.....I can't see the benefit personally....but I'm not one to ride a umteen thousand dollar MTB.

Irony is he's too cheap to buy the $40 pump to air them up himself...so when he has to air up, we have to swing by the bike shop before the trails :td:

[Homeslice]

So, just did a Google search, and yes, the Prestas are over-rated. They are too sensitive and don't seem to hold air as long. The only advantage is they seem easier to pump, because of less resistance I guess.

[LeeNetworX]

Do you realize you could have answered my question in less time than you spent on your two pseudo-replies thus far?

Of course I do. But why should I? Lazy mother fucker.

[LeeNetworX]

So, just did a Google search, and yes, the Prestas are over-rated. They are too sensitive and don't seem to hold air as long. The only advantage is they seem easier to pump, because of less resistance I guess.

I haven't noticed any difference in the amount of time to pump them vs. te Schraeders on my wife's bike (same pump - it has connections for both valve types).

My neighbor has those Presta Valves on his MTB

He's ALWAYS complaining about them.....I can't see the benefit personally....but I'm not one to ride a umteen thousand dollar MTB.

Irony is he's too cheap to buy the $40 pump to air them up himself...so when he has to air up, we have to swing by the bike shop before the trails :td:

Glad to hear it's not just me having problems with them.

[udman]

Hey Lee, just use the tube that fits your rims. Those little grommets and adapters actually can cause pinching especially if your rims have a "v" in them.

[anthonyk]

That's weird. I've used presta exclusively for about 15 years and never had a leaky stem. Are these budget tubes or something?

I guess all my rims have been drilled for presta, so maybe it's the grommet that's causing problems. I usually keep the nut on the stem cinched down pretty tight, and maybe yours are moving around when you ride and causing problems. :scratch:

[LeeNetworX]

That's weird. I've used presta exclusively for about 15 years and never had a leaky stem. Are these budget tubes or something?

I guess all my rims have been drilled for presta, so maybe it's the grommet that's causing problems. I usually keep the nut on the stem cinched down pretty tight, and maybe yours are moving around when you ride and causing problems. :scratch:

I believe the last two were seamless Continental tubes.

[pauldun170]

Do you realize you could have Googled it and gotten the answer in much shorter time than it took you to reply? :?:

:lol

[Krabill]

That's weird. I've used presta exclusively for about 15 years and never had a leaky stem.

Same here. Been using them forever and haven't had any issues with them at all.





Castor - what does your buddy do when he gets a flat on the trail? Expects others to fill up his tires for him? I stopped to help a couple cute girls air up their tires on the trail this weekend, so there is another upside to carrying your own pump that fits :boobs:

[Particle Man]

I've found that presta valves are more durable when mountain biking and I find that it's easier to fill the tube with presta valves.

Some people have told me there is "weight savings" when using the presta valves but I would think that's negligible.

[Homeslice]

I haven't noticed any difference in the amount of time to pump them vs. te Schraeders on my wife's bike (same pump - it has connections for both valve types).


Not amount of time, but amount of force necessary. With Schraeder, the valve spring is stiffer.

[CasterTroy]

Castor - what does your buddy do when he gets a flat on the trail?


So far neither of us have had a flat on the trail...but thankfully the trail we typically ride is a greenway around a lake with LOTS of riders...so SOMEBODY will have one (I hope :tremble: ) otherwise....he'll be sitting there while I ride 7 miles back to the truck

[Krabill]

Oh, so you don't have a pump either? lol

I won't leave the garage without tools, extra tubes, and a pump. I've had flat tires riding a paved bike path. They can happen anywhere, ya know.

[OneSickPsycho]

My neighbor has those Presta Valves on his MTB

He's ALWAYS complaining about them.....I can't see the benefit personally....but I'm not one to ride a umteen thousand dollar MTB.

Irony is he's too cheap to buy the $40 pump to air them up himself...so when he has to air up, we have to swing by the bike shop before the trails :td:

That's retarded... buy the $1 adapter and carry it with you every time you bike...

That's weird. I've used presta exclusively for about 15 years and never had a leaky stem. Are these budget tubes or something?

I guess all my rims have been drilled for presta, so maybe it's the grommet that's causing problems. I usually keep the nut on the stem cinched down pretty tight, and maybe yours are moving around when you ride and causing problems. :scratch:

Me too... never any issue. As I think udman said, you're rims probably aren't designed for presta valves.

[Particle Man]

That's retarded... buy the $1 adapter and carry it with you every time you bike...
I leave my adapter screwed in to my CO2 quick-fill pump which resides in my camelback.

[Krabill]

I leave my adapter screwed in to my CO2 quick-fill pump which resides in my camelback.

I won't use CO2. Regular old hand pump for me, thanks. I've seen too many of them either not work, run out of CO2, etc, etc, and they wind up breaking out their back-up hand pump anyway. I'll just start with my hand pump and skip the whole CO2 bullshit to begin with.

btw - the two girls I helped this past Saturday had CO2 pumps that didn't work. I used my hand pump to get them back on the trail.

[CasterTroy]

Oh, so you don't have a pump either? lol



oh I have a pump....and a CO2 patch kit under my seat

[Particle Man]

I won't use CO2. Regular old hand pump for me, thanks. I've seen too many of them either not work, run out of CO2, etc, etc, and they wind up breaking out their back-up hand pump anyway. I'll just start with my hand pump and skip the whole CO2 bullshit to begin with.

btw - the two girls I helped this past Saturday had CO2 pumps that didn't work. I used my hand pump to get them back on the trail.

It's a nice convenient place to store the adapter either way. :)

[buzzcutt2]

No issues with presta for the past 8 years or so here, no CO2 issues either.

[Smittie61984]

Some people have told me there is "weight savings" when using the presta valves but I would think that's negligible.

The justification I've heard for Presta is that the rim is stronger due to the smaller hole that is drilled in the rim. Unless you are busting down Mt Everest then I don't think it will matter for most people. Another benefit is that if you lose the cap then mud is less likely to get stuck in the valve.

Be sure that before you fill up a presta valve that you press the valve down a few times to release air which helps get dust and debree out.

I've never had a problem with the Presta. Infact what I do love about Presta is when you get a flat and change the tire and need to pump air into it. Because of the nut on the valve you don't have to hold the other side of the tire to put pressure on the valve.

[jtemple]

I've been using Presta valves since the early 90s without problems. I find them easier to fill (because of the nut that holds the valve stem in place) when low. Shraders sink back into the rim when you try to put a pump on them and it's a PITA. Even if I have Shrader drilled rims, I still use Presta tubes.

I've also never jacked around with those CO2 cartridges. Those are reserved for racing purposes. If I'm just out riding, I use a hand pump.

[Cutty72]

Schraeder valves on everything. Then again, I have the econo Fleet Farm $59.99 bike :lol: