Presta or Schrader...which is best??...

K

kebrobert

Guest
OK!...this may have been dealt with before
but I gotta know!
I ride a Trek 4300 and a Rocky Hammer.
Thanks guys!!
 

flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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I prefer Schrader because it is universal on everything from bicycles to heavy transporters so pumps always available. The inserts can always be changed too. I've even drilled out Presta rims to swap to Schrader tubes.

But it's personal preference thing since both can do the job.
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Nealh

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I use to use shrader but now use presta as I prefer them, typically presta are used I find more often in 700c or 650b rims.
I always have a few schrader to presta adapters and carry one with me when out so it matters not the pump used.
 
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Bikes4two

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I use to use shrader but now use presta as I prefer them, typically presta are used I find more often in 700c or 650b rims.
I always have a few schrader to presta adapters and carry one with me when out so it matters not the pump used.
+1 for all of the above and over time I have all my inner tubes as Presta but as said above, it's a personal thing.

A small/tiny differentiator is that if you ride in a group/out with friends etc, carrying a spare Presta inner tube for not just yourself but one of the group should they need it, the Presta valved tube will always fit a Schrader valved rim, but likely not the other way around.
 

Nealh

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Yes indeed a presta has the stepped stem/valve nut which will fit a schrader hole.
 

Bonzo Banana

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I think presta is more suitable for higher pressure so is pretty much a requirement for road bike type wheels but even for mountain bikes many go presta nowadays to save pumping up so much. When you see tubeless conversion kits it always seems to be presta although I guess schrader may be available too somewhere. For convenience I prefer schrader but to be honest I've bought dunlop valve inner tubes on occasion because often they are heavily discounted and they fit schrader valve holes but work with presta adapters which I find really convenient. I don't typically use sealant but I believe the Dunlop valve is also the most convenient for that as the valve comes out without tools so is super easy to add sealant but I've not done that myself so apologies if I've remembered wrongly.
 
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sjpt

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I prefer Schrader.
Presta might be best for very high pressures, I have no problem with Schrader for 80-90psi.
I find it easier to break/bend presta.
I guess with very narrow rims the larger hole needed for Schrader could be an issue; certainly not an issue with the kind of rims I am likely to use.
 
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flecc

Member
Oct 25, 2006
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Presta might be best for very high pressures, I have no problem with Schrader for 80-90psi.
Schrader valves do not have a high pressure problem, this is just a part of bicycle mythology, the only place where Presta valves are used.

The Schrader valve is used on virtually all automobile tires and motorcycle tires and most wider rimmed bicycle tires. In addition to tube and tubeless tires, Schrader valves of varying diameters are used on many refrigeration and air conditioning systems to allow servicing, including recharging with refrigerant; by plumbers conducting leak-down pressure tests on pipe installations; as a bleeding and test port on the fuel rail of some fuel injected engines; on bicycle air shock absorbers to allow adjustment of air pressure according to the rider's weight; for medical gas outlets within hospitals and some medical vehicles; and in the buoyancy compensator (BC) inflators of SCUBA systems where the ability to easily disconnect an air hose (even underwater) without the loss of tank air is critical. Schrader valves are also widely used in high-pressure hydraulic systems on aircraft.

And in my car among others, Schrader valve stems with integrated transmitters are used for tire pressure monitoring systems (TPMS). Very handy, always being able to see the pressures and getting a quick warning on the dashboard before there's any danger if a tyre starts to lose air.

So for me it's Schrader, no contest.

The worst valve for pumping? The original Woods/Dunlop with a rubber sleeve over a tiny hole to keep the pressure in. The second worst? The later Woods/Dunlop using a tiny ball valve in place of the rubber sleeve.
.
 

Bonzo Banana

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Schrader is definitely better for high pressure applications but really its in the lower pressure applications where the air pressure isn't as high so the valve isn't as secure and leaks more air than presta that is the issue. Presta is definitely better for holding pressure than Schrader in the bicycle field as you screw it down to make a better seal but as the pressure goes up there is more force on the schrader valve which seals it better but you wouldn't logically deduct from that, that it is better for bicycle tyres where the pressure is far less. I'd say Dunlop/wood valves with the ball bearing valve is better than schrader at bicycle pressures and I think that is the only Dunlop type of valve you get nowadays.

The Dunlop valve is common in countries like Japan and Korea and many other Asian countries. It's a very good design for bicycle valves but I would guess the valve with the least highest pressure rating. Presta I would guess is in the middle of pressure ratings but again for bicycles its more about maintaining pressure not holding high pressure which is why Presta is king. Lots of people have experience of schrader leaking at a far higher rate than presta its just accepted. In a car tyre very slow pressure loss is accepted the greater volume of air means it could be months before the pressure is noticeably lower but the air volume in a bicycle tyre is far less so the air loss means more frequent pumping. You could make the case that Schrader would work better with the higher pressure of racing tyres but the schrader hole is too large for the small width rims and would weaken them much more which is less than ideal. Ultimately Presta is best for bicycles but there are advantages to all the valve types. Japan is an extremely engineered focused society and Dunlop is used there extensively. It's not a bad option for the reasons I've given but again Presta is best.
 
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Ocsid

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Brompton, well mine, with the very small air capacity tyres though use Schrader valves, perhaps they are simply not yet up to speed on this?
Could be why they typically come with a pump, apart from the intro model?

IMO, no valve should leak air, in the Schrader case simply exchange the core if it does; something we can't do with Presta valves.

I suspect Presta's real asset is not so much you can graunch it down till it hopefully seals, but it is light and as said weakens delicate rims a bit less
 
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Bonzo Banana

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Sep 29, 2019
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Brompton, well mine, with the very small air capacity tyres though use Schrader valves, perhaps they are simply not yet up to speed on this?
Could be why they typically come with a pump, apart from the intro model?

IMO, no valve should leak air, in the Schrader case simply exchange the core if it does; something we can't do with Presta valves.

I suspect Presta's real asset is not so much you can graunch it down till it hopefully seals, but it is light and as said weakens delicate rims a bit less
Lots of presta valves are removable nowadays I guess because of the use of sealant. It might even be the majority. I think all valves leak a bit of air over time, there is no perfect seal hence people are having to pump up their tyres fairly regularly. The small size of presta is probably an advantage here with less surface area at the valve. I don't think valve type is a deal breaker all provide a good solution but that doesn't mean you can't consider a valve where you don't have to use a pump as often as superior. 3 different engineering solutions all with their benefits and disadvantages.
 
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StuartsProjects

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I dont recall what valves were on my original Brompton, but this is a picture of the Wheel on the latest Brompton, the T-Line.


51073


Presta ?

And possibly a Tubolito tube ?
 
D

Denialhek

Guest
Presta is better. It's much easier to pump up by hand because there's no valve spring working against you. Also the valve is narrower, good for narrow rims. The only downside would be not being able to use a car pump in a pinch, but you can carry a little adapter with you that weighs 6 g and will let you use a schrader pump. https://www.bikethesites.com/schrader-vs-presta-valve/
 

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