Presta valves

[potsy]

Am I ok to use presta valved tubes on my bike which came with schraeder tubes as standard?
Do I need an adapter or anything with the hole being bigger.
Cheers.

 

[Will1985]

You need to put a washer or similar on the valve before putting it through the rim as Presta has a smaller diameter - the rubber at the base of the valve will push through the hole otherwise.

 

[02GF74]

interesting. I've never done that and have never had the problem.

you can buy little inserts that fit in to the larger hole specially for presta valves ... dunno what they are called or how much but I don't bother.

 

[potsy]

Cheers guys,it comes with a small nut already on the base of the valve is this to stop it pushing through the hole? Have always used schraeder but find that a lot of the cheapo tubes(tesco,decathlon,etc)very rarely have 700c in schraeder in the size I want.

 

[orienteer]

No, the nut should be removed before fitting, and put back once the valve has been inserted through the hole, though it isn't strictly necessary. You should fit an adaptor or washer to make the hole smaller.