What are the two different types of bicycle valve stems?

The two standard valve types are Schrader and Presta (photo). Schrader valves are identical to those found on car tires. These valves are generally used on hybrid and children’s bikes.

Which valve is better Presta or Schrader?

Presta valves are easier to pump than Schrader, because they have no valve spring to overcome. In narrow rims, clincher tires also leave insufficient space between tire beads for larger Schrader valves. In contrast Schrader valves are more robust, universally used, and have an easily removable core.

What is a Presta valve stem?

The Presta valve (also French valve (FV) or Sclaverand valve) is a valve commonly found in high pressure road style and some mountain bicycle inner tubes. It comprises an outer valve stem and an inner valve body. A lock nut to secure the stem at the wheel rim and a valve cap may also be present.

How do I know if I have Schrader or Presta?

A Presta-only pump has a rubber gasket in the head, or chuck, that will fit snugly around a Presta valve but not a Schrader. A Schrader-only pump has a pin in the center of the chuck to depress the Schrader stem’s check valve. If you try to put it on a Presta tube, it simply won’t fit.

Why are Presta valves so difficult?

The only time it has been difficult is when the valve stem was too short for the deep rims I have, so there was no enough stem for the pump head to clamp onto. Solution was to buy a valve extender. With my floor pump, you can easily tell when you have a good connection.

Can I switch from Schrader to Presta?

A Presta tube can move in the wider Schrader rims to reach the bottom. Ensure that you use a valve nut to secure the tube to the rim. Ensure that the rims of the Schrader are wider than the Presta tube for the valve hole to widen. Take note that when you try this out, ensure your bicycle tires sit at low pressure.

Can you fill a Presta valve with a regular pump?

To inflate a Presta valve you’ll need a regular air pump and a special adapter. The adapter effectively converts your Presta valve to a Schrader valve so that you can use a traditional air pump to inflate it. Attach your air pump and inflate the tire to the recommended pressure.

Why can’t I pump up a Presta valve?

Make sure your getting it seated and locked properly before you pump. If you feel air escaping around the valve stem and the pump fitting, either it isn’t seated or you’ve broken the valve. If it just won’t pump air in (hard resistance to pumping), it needs to be burped or re-seated.

Are there different types of Presta valves?

There are two basic types of valves that you’ll find on bikes: Presta and Schrader. For the most part, inner tubes and tubulars on road bikes will use Presta valves, and mountain bikes will use Schrader valves.

What’s a Schrader valve look like?

A Schrader valve consists of an externally threaded hollow cylindrical metal tube, typically of nickel plated brass. In the center of the exterior end is a metal pin pointing along the axis of the valve stem; the pin’s end is approximately flush with the end of the valve body.

Can I replace Schrader tube with Presta?

You can use a Presta tube in a Schrader rim when encountered by an emergency fixation. A Presta tube can move in the wider Schrader rims to reach the bottom. The threads at the bottom speed up its move to the base of the valve. Ensure that you use a valve nut to secure the tube to the rim.