blog@BumsOnTheSaddle.com

Fun Sustainable Transport

Presta valves are usually seen on higher end bikes with narrower rims. There is a common misconception that Presta valves are better for the higher pressures used in high performance bicycle tyres. The links below should help make it clear that this is not necessarily true.

http://www.geocities.com/cyqlist/valve.html

http://www.sheldonbrown.com/brandt/presta-schrader.html

http://ebent.wordpress.com/2006/05/19/what-type-of-valve-to-use-for-touring-schrader-or-presta/

http://www.faqs.org/faqs/bicycles-faq/part3/section-26.html

And in case you’re feeling lazy to go through the above, here’s what they have to say:

Appearance

The Presta valve is the more slender of the two, while Schrader valves have a larger diameter. Schrader valves are more commonly used and can be seen on cars, motorcycles, etc.

Application

The small diameter of the Presta valve requires a smaller hole in the rim, whose size is important for narrow rims where cross sectional strength is significantly reduced by a stem hole. There is a lock nut at the top that needs to be unscrewed to inflate the tube. It is easier to pump air into a tube with a presta valve, as there is no spring force to overcome.

Schrader valves are more robust and universally used. Spring closure makes them simpler to use – there is no lock nut, just a depressor that needs to be pushed back. These valves can be inflated at any petrol bunk.

Woods valve

This is the valve that most of us here are used to seeing on bicycles. It is called the Woods valve. A short length of rubber tubing covers the inner part of the core that has an outlet allowing air into the tube. To deflate unscrew the top knurled ring.

pump your ride! A small video that shows how Presta and Schrader valves are to be used.