Are they the wave of the future or is the US just taking it's time to get caught up with the rest of the world?
Now I have to get a special adaptor just to fill up my new bike's tires...
2006-10-04 12:31:29 · 4 answers · asked by mrknositall 6 in Sports ➔ Cycling
The narrow valve used on most high-performance bicycles, and all tubulars. Also known as a "French valve". The wider Schrader (automotive style) valve is used on children's bicycles and utility bicycles.
Presta valves have built-in valve caps, which must be opened before you can pump them up. These caps are "captive" nuts, which cannot be removed. Since there is no spring in a Presta valve, this knurled nut must be retightened after inflating the tire, or the valve may leak slowly.
Presta valves are light, and don't require as large a hole in the rim. Since the don't use a spring, they can be easier to pump with a hand pump.
2006-10-04 13:00:54 · answer #1 · answered by Ric 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Presta valves have been aound for a while. They got their start over in Europe (France... go figure). The US is kinda taking its time to get with the program (kinda like using the metric system).
Presta uses the air pushing up thru the valve to seal off the valve where schrader uses a spring to seal the valve to prevent air leaking out. Your options are 1) buy the adapter 2) buy a new pump so you don't need the adapter 3) drill the valve holes out in the rims to take a schrader valve instead of the presta.
2006-10-04 19:56:58 · answer #2 · answered by icrashalot 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
basically...they are smaller, so the rim can have a smaller hole drilled for the valve stem, and hence the rim can be thinner. its all in the interest of saving weight. in total you can save a few grams.
2006-10-05 09:17:12 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
They are the wave of the PRESENT; not the future
2006-10-05 15:48:29 · answer #4 · answered by M-50 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋