Presta or schrader?

[Dogtrousers]

Presta
If only because it's compatible with car pumps, which means lots more places available to fill up tyres to a decent pressure without using a little bike pump.

Er ... Schrader schurely?

 

[e-rider]

presta valves were designed for two reasons - woods valves don't like high pressure and schrader are also too big for narrow road rims.
I tend to use presta valves when possible although I have no problem with schrader valves on MTBs or kids bikes

 

[Pale Rider]

As a roadie I wish I could use Schrader as I regularly pump to 110 120psi. On the morning of the etape du tour many years ago, the top of the Presta valve simply sheared off, but did not deflate so I risked it.

Presta all the way.

@Drago's point about schrader and suspension forks shows schrader can handle 100+psi.

I'd also heard about roadie rims being too narrow for schrader.

Depends on the rim of course, but the hole size is not much different and I'm aware of some users reaming a presta rim hole to take schrader.

 

[si_c]

I'd also heard about roadie rims being too narrow for schrader.
Depends on the rim of course, but the hole size is not much different and I'm aware of some users reaming a presta rim hole to take schrader.

It's also less of an issue with the current trend towards wider rims.

 

[mjr]

I'm going for Woods. Not that I actually use them, and I don't think I've even seen one for decades, but just to be awkward.

Go East, young man. I can still buy Woods-valved tubes in the local bike shop.

woods valves don't like high pressure

Maybe the rubber tube sort don't, but I can't see anything in the BB valve which would leak much at any pressure you're likely to use on a bicycle tyre.

 

[Smokin Joe]

As a roadie I wish I could use Schrader as I regularly pump to 110 120psi. On the morning of the etape du tour many years ago, the top of the Presta valve simply sheared off, but did not deflate so I risked it.

Presta all the way.

You can use Schrader as they will take the same pressure as a Presta valve. Heavy trucks or Jumbo jets don't have a problem with their Schraders and they run at over 200psi.

The reason Presta valves are (Incorrectly) referred to as high pressure is because narrow road bike tyres have traditionally used higher pressures than their fatter commuter brothers as they are designed for performance over comfort. And the Presta valve design is so they can fit the narrower rims, but as far as the pressure they can hold goes there is no difference.

 

[Racing roadkill]

Presta, simply because most gas inflators don't work with schrader valves. Woods valves are a pain if you don't have a screw down mini pump or track pump available.

 

[Dan B]

My trike has one of each (presta, schrader, woods). No reason except that it's a funny wheel size so not much choice of tubes, and each puncture was within range of a different bike shop

Woods are very slightly narrower than schrader, if my experience getting a schrader valve through the hole in the rim is anything to go by

 

[I like Skol]

I'm going for Woods. Not that I actually use them, and I don't think I've even seen one for decades, but just to be awkward.

See what I've started now. Can we have the poll amended please, with an option for Woods and if we are doing a poll there needs to be an option for 'What would Accy do?'

 

[tobykenobi]

Woods! I still expect the spare new rubber sleeve in a puncture repair kit and can't understand why they stopped putting them in.....

I bought a puncture repair kit this lunchtime (had a puncture yesterday and was getting short of patches in my old one) and it had 2 rubber sleeves in it. Not sure I'd know how to use one if I ever did come across a woods valve.

 

[MichaelW2]

When did they stop putting small rubber hose/tube in repair kits? Did they go out with flared trousers and white dogdoo?

 

[Drago]

I bought a puncture repair kit this lunchtime (had a puncture yesterday and was getting short of patches in my old one) and it had 2 rubber sleeves in it. Not sure I'd know how to use one if I ever did come across a woods valve.

you Muppet, you've picked up a pack of condoms!

 

[Milkfloat]

My bikes have a mix of all 3. I prefer presta as my better track pump is set to that, but it does not work directly with the woods valve. I wish they would just stick with one standard.

 

[Alan O]

I'm really not bothered. In the past I had Presta valves, but when I renovated my bike a few months ago (and built a second one) I got Schrader tubes simply because that's what I happened to find first. No problem with pressure - I don't have a pump with a gauge, but my tyres will pump up hard enough.

 

[SuperHans123]

Schrader. Petrol stations. More robust valve.