[MegaMustang]

OK,
Help me understand the advantage(s) of running tubes with presta valves. I have a compressor and a couple air tanks at home, so using shrader valves seems more practical, but virtually all of the high-end MTBs I've seen run presta. Is this because they are easier to fill on the trail? What about CO2 cartridges with a shrader converter?
Any/all explanations appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

 

[was98strat]

OK,
Help me understand the advantage(s) of running tubes with presta valves. I have a compressor and a couple air tanks at home, so using shrader valves seems more practical, but virtually all of the high-end MTBs I've seen run presta. Is this because they are easier to fill on the trail? What about CO2 cartridges with a shrader converter?
Any/all explanations appreciated!
Thanks in advance!

It's seen as a mark of high quality. personally I think presta valves are a giant pain. they are harder to fill consistently, harder to keep pressure in and generally harder to use. I've yet to find a pump that fits a presta well.

besides, your suspension uses shrader valves so it's easier IMO to keep to one valve type.

On my road bike I have no choice they run presta, filling it is a pain! I generally loose 20-30 PSI just getting the pump head on with a good seal! stick with schrader valves!

 

[osmarandsara]

Presta was originally used on road bikes because narrow rims required smaller diamater bores......in the early days of mountain-biking the high-end (narrow and light-weight) rims also required the smaller apertures and presta migrated over.

Fast-forward to today.....high-end mountain bike rims don't have to be super-skinny to be light-weight, and for AM and DH riders prefer to run wider rims anyway, so presta is now a choice. Heck, some people drill the apertures on ther their presta rims so that they can install scraeder tubes....

And for tubeless-setups, its easier to re-fill sealant through a schraeder valve (by removing the core) than through a presta (even the ones with removable cores). The alternative is to break the bead and pour sealant directly into the tire.

I run presta valves on tubeless tires and have on occassion bent the valve and once I even broke one in half while pumping......I have a feeling schraeders might take a little bit more abuse...

So pick one or the other....its all a personal choice.

 

[MegaMustang]

If I do want to convert presta rims to shrader, what size drill bit do I need to use?
Thanks!

 

[scoutcat]

It's seen as a mark of high quality. personally I think presta valves are a giant pain. they are harder to fill consistently, harder to keep pressure in and generally harder to use. I've yet to find a pump that fits a presta well.

besides, your suspension uses shrader valves so it's easier IMO to keep to one valve type.

On my road bike I have no choice they run presta, filling it is a pain! I generally loose 20-30 PSI just getting the pump head on with a good seal! stick with schrader valves!

you might need to work on your pump and pump technique. i lose no air and have ZERO issues with presta. i find it superior to schrader in everyway.

 

[MegaMustang]

What are those "every ways?"

Remember, I'm the OP and just looking for info.

Thanks!

 

[osmarandsara]

If I do want to convert presta rims to shrader, what size drill bit do I need to use?
Thanks!

A 5/16 in. drill bit will do.....a carbide drill bit will make the job easier than a steel one ... use a bit of oil on the drill bit as you drill.....

 

[JonathanGennick]

I usually try to make my spare tube a 26-inch presta. The advantage there is that it will fit any bike in the group, even 650b and 29ers (with some stretching).

Otherwise, I don't see any clear advantage. I lean towards Schrader, 'cause that's what I grew up with.

 

[perttime]

I lean towards Schrader, 'cause that's what I grew up with.

Me too. Also, with my ham fisted approach to filling the tyre when fixing a flat, I'm less likely to damage a Schrader

 

[HamfisT]

....with my ham fisted approach....

HEY NOW!!!

If you have any issues inflating presta at with a compressor, google PRESTAFLATOR..

Even if you run exclusively schrader, they work wonders for setting consistent pressures.

That said, I prefer presta valves... I've just always used them since I gave up BMX.

 

[davidbeinct]

besides, your suspension uses shrader valves so it's easier IMO to keep to one valve type.

That argument makes no sense. Keeping valve types the same between tires and suspension doesn't matter, as you can't use the same pump anyways.

David B.

 

[was98strat]

That argument makes no sense. Keeping valve types the same between tires and suspension doesn't matter, as you can't use the same pump anyways.

David B.

Actually you can. My high pressure suspension pump fits my regular tires, don't know about your suspension components but mine use schrader valves, yes it takes more pumping to get to the same place as a regular pump, but then I have options if I need them. I.E. loose a pump onthe trail or something! I ride with my high pressure pump in my pack. I've lost count of the number of times I've lent it to people to adjust theis suspension pressure!

 

[upNdown]

Actually you can. My high pressure suspension pump fits my regular tires, don't know about your suspension components but mine use schrader valves, yes it takes more pumping to get to the same place as a regular pump, but then I have options if I need them.

That's a good way to kill a suspension pump. And a half hour.

 

[JonathanGennick]

That argument makes no sense. Keeping valve types the same between tires and suspension doesn't matter, as you can't use the same pump anyways.

Actually, you can. The pump I carry in my backpack is a combined, tire & shock pump. It can do either one, depending upon whether you unlock the narrow or the wide barrel.

 

[common_man]

personally I think presta valves are a giant pain. they are harder to fill consistently, harder to keep pressure in and generally harder to use. I've yet to find a pump that fits a presta well. !

amen! :madman:

i must have schrader valve for my next bike.

 

[bad mechanic]

I like Presta, and any quality pump will work on Presta just fine. Aside from anything else, the main reason I like Presta so much is I never have to mess with a valve being pushed back into the rim.

 

[davidbeinct]

Actually, you can. The pump I carry in my backpack is a combined, tire & shock pump. It can do either one, depending upon whether you unlock the narrow or the wide barrel.

Well, that certainly makes more sense than trying to use a dedicated shock pump on tires. How well does the pump work on tires?

David B.

 

[JonathanGennick]

Well, that certainly makes more sense than trying to use a dedicated shock pump on tires. How well does the pump work on tires?

It works well-enough that I try really hard to avoid using it.

It's a Specialized-brand, shock+tire pump. I believe it's a Windpipe something or other. And it probably works as well as any other packable pump. I much, much prefer to use my floor pump. I pack the pump on rides -- just in case -- but am thankful that I don't get too many flats.

Actually, the one time I remember using it seriously was to inflate someone's baby-carriage tire at a campground. This young couple was really struggling with their flat tire on that thing, so I offered to help. It took a lot of pumping with that little pump, making me realize the value of good floor pump.

 

[JonathanGennick]

I like Presta, and any quality pump will work on Presta just fine. Aside from anything else, the main reason I like Presta so much is I never have to mess with a valve being pushed back into the rim.

What do you with with angled and offset rims? I too like that Presta valves can be nutted onto the rim, but that doesn't work to well with my Rhythm Comp rims, because the valve stem pokes through where the rim is at an angle.

 

[bad mechanic]

What do you with with angled and offset rims?

They're not a problem. The presta nut shouldn't be tight to begin with. It's just there to help keep the valve in place.