Which Tyre Valves ?

Author
Discussion

BOR

Original Poster:

4,829 posts

262 months

Thursday 26th July 2007
quotequote all
How anal can you get ?

Anyway, I need a couple on new inner tubes, and as always, I confronted with the great dilemma of tha advantages and disadvantages of the three different types of valve.

The "car" type valve is obviously convenient cos you can use a garage airline etc.
The sclava valves that I have at the moment - the ones with the fiddly, tiny locknut that you need to undue seem a bit fragile.

So what is the concenus re valves ? What is best for MTB ?

ewenm

28,506 posts

252 months

Thursday 26th July 2007
quotequote all
I always prefer the Presta valves - so the little bit you undo. Mainly because when out riding with mates, a car-type (Schraeder i think) wouldn't fit through a rim drilled for a Presta.

I also always make sure I get ones with a fully metal stalk to avoid failure against the hole in the rim.

DanH

12,287 posts

267 months

Thursday 26th July 2007
quotequote all
I'm only going by the two specialized bikes we own, one with presta and one with the car valve type. The car valve type is really annoying as it doesn't bolt to the rim so if you have to use a push on and then clip down pump, you end up half pushing the valve into the rim. The presta however is threaded so that it will attach to the rim.

W00DY

15,760 posts

233 months

Thursday 26th July 2007
quotequote all
Presta break easily and then your stuffed e.g trying to remove the pump quickly and sometimes even when i've been cycling. I don't have a problem with schraeder as you can just push against the tire whilst you lock the pump on.

Woody

BadgerBenji

3,524 posts

225 months

Thursday 26th July 2007
quotequote all
Three types of valve,

Presta, long thin, and need to unscrew the top portion to enable the inflating of the tyre.
Schraeder, short and fat, otherwise known as the car type, requires a large hole in the rim, so no good for road bikes.
Woods, bit of a cross, but they are gradually dying out, their used to be a ready market in latex tubing for the repair of these the valve was that simple.

Which to choose, high pressure tyre situations, no contest presta everytime, lower pressures e.g. mountain bike knobblies, have the rim drilled for schraeder, that way if you get a flat and need to beg a tube, no matter what someone has it fits. Personally I use presta tubes, as these can be used with a rim drilled for schraeder never had one fail yet, it just means the pump in the jersey pocket fits all bikes with no fiddling.

BOR

Original Poster:

4,829 posts

262 months

Friday 27th July 2007
quotequote all
Ta.

I've broken at least two of the Presta vavles, so I'm going to measure my.... my hole, and see if the auto valve fits and try them.


mat205125

17,790 posts

220 months

Saturday 28th July 2007
quotequote all
Not for any particular reason, I prefer Presta valves.

At the end of the day, the most important thing is to have the same type of valves as your pump and your mates that you ride with. No need to carry your own specific spares and tools if you can have common parts to share between you.

Parrot of Doom

23,075 posts

241 months

Saturday 28th July 2007
quotequote all
I don't know how you manage to break a presta valve. They're easy to use, I've had a couple of slightly bent ones but nothing worse. Much better than Schraeder valves IMO. At least when you lose the dustcap from a presta valve it won't get filled up with shite.