Using Schrader inner tube on bike that came with Presta inner tube

[imnewtothesite]

I've just bought a new bike, a Giant Yukon FX2 2009 from Pauls Cycles (paulscyscles.co.uk). The bike came with Presta inner tubes. I've ordered and received 2 Dr Sludge slim tubes from CRC (Chain Reaction Cycles) but valve won't fit through the hole in the wheel. Will the current wheel only take the Presta valved inners?

I'm new to the forum and all this cycling malkary so my apologies for what is probably a v. basic question!

 

[MacB]

generally people will match valve type to the rim hole, however tou can get bits to fit the thinner Presta into the wider Schrader holes. I have also seen that some people drill the rim hole to the bigger size.

 

[robgul]

Better to buy the right tubes. CRC will take the ones you bought back.

I would agree ... and also suggest that you abandon the Slime tubes - if you get anything more than a tiny pinprick hole (which the Slime MIGHT fix) then they are all but impossible to patch as the gloop squirts out.

Rob

 

[Gareth]

I have drilled the 700c Alloy rims on my partners, and my hybrid bikes to accept inner tubes with schrader valves. I used an 8.25 mm diametre drill bit, and a hand deburring tool; I am an Agricultural/Mechanical Engineer & Welder/Fabricator so I have one of these sitting in my toolbox. If you do not have a deburrer then, a few minutes spent cleaning the edges of the enlarged hole with small piece of wet & dry abrasive paper will do the trick.

As I have completed almost 10,000 miles over mixed terrain on these rims fitted my bike since drilling them out; including many miles of country and farm tracks, river banks, and the local concrete BMX track, along with the streets of Norwich, etc. I am certain that I have not compromised these wheels.

 

[Debian]

I would agree ... and also suggest that you abandon the Slime tubes - if you get anything more than a tiny pinprick hole (which the Slime MIGHT fix) then they are all but impossible to patch as the gloop squirts out.

Rob

I would disagree with you.

I've been using slime tubes on my MTBs for years and find them excellent. The latest set has been on my No2 MTB for 18 months with not a single permanent puncture. The latest was two days ago when I thought I was going to have to replace the inner due to a carpet tack becoming embedded; I pulled out the tack, re-inflated to 60psi and it's been fine for the last two days!

The only time one failed on me was because of a 1/4" cut from a piece of glass and then I grant you it was a pain because all the gloop ended up inside the tyre and rim and it was a pain to clean up.

I have also successfully repaired slime tubes, it's not difficult but considering how cheap they are and how long they last I wouldn't bother except in an emergency. I just keep a couple of spares to hand - odds are I'll only need one every two years or so.

 

[Gareth]

I currently use the bottled slime in the inner tubes on all of our bikes, and in the two trailers without any really serious issue; just one major blow out due to a flint that ruined both the tyre and the tube, and as Debian metioned it is pain to clean up.

I have only used slime for the last 3 and a bit years, but started using OKO puncture preventer in my bikes way back in 1997. Prior to that, I had been using OKO in Agricutural and Horticultural equipment tyres for many years; buying it in 20 litres barrels at a time. OKO website It is dearer to purchase than slime, but does last in the tubes considerably longer. However, I have found that tubes filled with slime benefit from the addition of about an egg cup full of water added every 12 months or so to keep the slime liquid.

 

[Debian]

The other problem with slime tubes is that, after a while the goo tends to clog up the schrader insert. A couple of times now my valves have developed slow leaks, I've had to remove the insert and scrape hardened slime from the sealing washer following which they've been fine again. Still better than having to fix punctures every five minutes though.

 

[Ian H]

There's no structural problem with drilling out for schrader. But you then can't use presta unless you fit a special grommet.
I have never used slime tubes. I get perhaps two punctures a year over around 4 or 5 thousand miles.

 

[Debian]

There's no structural problem with drilling out for schrader. But you then can't use presta unless you fit a special grommet.
I have never used slime tubes. I get perhaps two punctures a year over around 4 or 5 thousand miles.

Presumably that's tarmac cycling?

Mine is predominantly off-tarmac and when I used to use standard tubes I got at least one puncture nearly every trip, usually from thorns, hedge flailings, etc, or maybe a pinch puncture. Using the slimeys has solved that completely.

 

[Debian]

There's no structural problem with drilling out for schrader. But you then can't use presta unless you fit a special grommet.
I have never used slime tubes. I get perhaps two punctures a year over around 4 or 5 thousand miles.

Presumably that's tarmac cycling?

Mine is predominantly off-tarmac and when I used to use standard tubes I got at least one puncture nearly every trip, usually from thorns, hedge flailings, etc, or maybe a pinch puncture. Using the slimeys has solved that completely.

 

[Debian]

What's the point of presta anyway? Spawn of the devil! Schrader valves are just so much less trouble, have replaceable inserts, etc.

Can someone tell me what advantage running prestas gives? Becuase I can't think of one.

 

[Debian]

What's the point of presta anyway? Spawn of the devil! Schrader valves are just so much less trouble, have replaceable inserts, etc.

Can someone tell me what advantage running prestas gives? Becuase I can't think of one.

 

[Ian H]

Yes, mine's mostly on-road. I've had no more trouble with presta than schrader. Only presta works with deep-section wheels.

 

[Ian H]

Yes, mine's mostly on-road. I've had no more trouble with presta than schrader. Only presta works with deep-section wheels.

 

[Debian]

Yes, mine's mostly on-road. I've had no more trouble with presta than schrader. Only presta works with deep-section wheels.

It's not so much troubles with the actual valve but the inconvenience of it. It's so easy to bend the pin on a presta, which means a replacement tube if you don't take the pump off properly, you can't replace the insert if it develops a leak and, in an emergency, you can't use any old cycle or car tyre pump on a presta as you can with a schrader.

I suppose for a specialist wheel a specialist valve has a place but I've come across many a wheel that could just as easily take a schrader but it's supplied with a presta - why? Maybe because it's more cool to be seen with prestas? Are you not considered a "proper" cyclist unless you have presta tubes? Dunno.