Valve type

[jethro10]

Hi,
I have a Mountain bike and use it just for sightseeing in the Lakes. I'm not into speed trial or competition or anything and have no real interest in 'bikes' as such.
Well the wife has just got a mountain bike as well and the valves in the innertubes are different to mine.

One is a car type, the other I remember from a Racer i had as a child. You screw the end out a bit to allow you to pump it up.

So, on a mountain bike, why both types? what are the advantages of the types? I'm very curious

Jeff

 

[Lazy-Commuter]

The car type is called Schraeder (if I've spelt that right it'll be a miracle) and the other type is Presta.

Not sure of the relative merits of each, but I have noticed that mine and Mrs-LC's MTBs both have Presta and the kids bikes both have Schraeder. But I don't know if there's any significance in that at all.

 

[trustysteed]

it's just the tubes they've fitted, it doesn't mean anything in particular. my wife's got the thin presta valves, i've got one of each as well as that was the spare tube i had at the time. pain in the arse having to change the pump connector though! i will by a second track pump so i can have one ready for each type eventually.

 

[Haitch]

Also, schraeder valves are wider than presta valves and will not fit through every rim. Something to remember when you buy new tubes.

 

[GrumpyGregry]

Presta fits everything so is a good standard and you can get adapters for the rim holes drilled for car valves.