easyupbug 

1/2" valve stem hole in a once fine Campagnolo wheel

randyjawa 

To make this kind of valve fit, which is not a very good idea in my opinion but I have seen it many times, over the years...


Compared to the style of valve that should have been used...

3speedslow

This “fix” seems to be recommended around here a lot.

tiger1964 

Uh, a long tour, had blowout on a Saturday evening in a town with one bike shop, about to close, with no Presta tubes in stock... but they did have a reamer?

Dave Mayer

That's a shame to wreck a decent rim. I prefer the alternative approach...

tiger1964 

...and isn't there a rubber grommet to Presta-ize a Shraeder rim?

mpetry912 

Yes, you can buy very nice rubber grommets

https://www.ebay.com/itm/RUBBER-BICY.../291958510677?

I think the concern on very narrow rims is that there is not enough material remaining after reaming / drilling out the hole resulting in a weak spot.

Not to mention that a raggedy hole would puncture the tube at that point.

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA USA

easyupbug 

Bike was sold with flat due to the ragged hole, had a grommet but cutting away a classic crochet hook rim with a 1/2 inch drill bit when IIRC a schrader valve is only 8mm is depressing.

unterhausen

we used to drill out rims occasionally when I worked in a bike shop. But with the right size drill bit. And it couldn't be easier to do a cleaner job than the one in the OP.

canklecat

Meh, brands mean nothing to most folks, at least when expedience is a priority. I see lots of decent bikes in beater condition locally ridden by folks without cars. Especially Rockhoppers and Stumpjumpers, decent frames with frayed cables, brakes splayed out uselessly, mismatched wheels and rotting tires.

Earlier this year I saw a remarkably nice 1990s Kona Lava Dome Race Light, metallic emerald green, in a pawn shop. Looked like it had never seen dirt. Someone had turned it into a commuter/errand bike with rear rack clamped to the seat post (not a bad thing), but with a gigantic metal mesh basket on the handlebar. Sans rack and basket it would have weighed around 24 lbs, pretty good for a steel bike.

I really wanted to rescue that bike but the initial asking price was way too high. The pawn shop listed a markdown schedule on the tag, with the lowest price of $125 by this autumn. I figured nobody would pay $350 for that bike so I decided to check back every month. But it was gone the next time I checked. Apparently someone else recognized a wolf in granny's clothing and snagged it.

madpogue 

I just picked up one of these at a thrift store sale a few weeks ago; my wife spotted it among the usual shiny Magnas (et al) that everyone else was gravitating to. 1990, I think. Metallic orange finish, nicked up but not rusty, little wear, probably never seen real dirt. Crazy light for what it is, and it would be a rocket if it weren't geared so low (22/32/42 up front). Don't kill me --- $45.

Sorry -- back on topic - alas, most people think of a schrader valve as a "regular" tire/tube. Evidently some PO didn't know what to do with that @%&#!* I-talian job, so he (presumbably) did what American males are inculcated to do -- applied brute force. As if the 1/2" diameter of the hole isn't cringe-worthy enough, there's that collateral damage to the rim walls .

ThermionicScott 

It's depressing that so many people are unwilling to develop the minor amount of dexterity to use a Presta valve, and people here indulge them.

mpetry912 

Hope I am not the only one who would consider that rim unuseable.

Mark Petry
Bainbridge Island, WA

canklecat

If it's anything like my experience, it's difficult to help some folks with bike stuff when they don't self-identify as "cyclists". If it's just a mode of transportation they're only interested in basic function.

Occasionally I've stopped to help folks riding barely functional bikes and it's a good reminder of why some folks are homeless, struggling on the periphery of society.

In some cases they're too independent to accept help or suggestions, even if it's obvious they could use a little assistance. Occasionally it's because they've been burned before by offers of assistance that came with a hook or a catch, the expectation of exploitation. Remember the old 1970s bumper stickers that read "Gas, grass or ass, nobody rides for free"?

One of my former neighbors was a really decent fellow, fiercely independent. He eked out a living dumpster diving, collecting lots of very good usable items from apartment complexes where former tenants discarded many household items before moving. He'd occasionally find a pretty good bike and show it to me. I'd notice little things that needed fixing but he wouldn't accept any help. Over time, with patience and conversations, I realized his appearance didn't match his self image. He was a big, strong guy but inside he was still a terrified little boy who'd survived a bad childhood. He'd rather ride a broken or barely functional bike than accept help.

In other cases they're so self absorbed they don't even acknowledge assistance. I've stopped to help folks with flat tires or non-functional brakes. On a couple of memorable occasions the fellows were too busy on their phones trying -- usually unsuccessfully -- to persuade a relative or friend to take them in for the night. After airing up their tires they took off without a thanks or screw you.

I don't blame them for this. Some folks just aren't put together quite right, like Ikea projects gone badly wrong. Something as simple as a blow to the head and consequent concussion can interfere with a human's judgment, social niceties and sense of connection or compassion with other people. I've seen similar self-absorption with folks who were normal before suffering a stroke, but lost something to the subsequent brain damage.

All things considered, a poorly drilled rim hole isn't a big deal.

conspiratemus1

Well, at least the hub and spokes are OK? Geez, what a mess.

madpogue 

Remove the canti, convert to a disc brake, get the angle right, and by golly this just might work.....

Lascauxcaveman 

You might get a bit tired of the thwap-thwap sound each time the valve stem passes the seat and chain stays, though.

thumpism 

Just pretend it's a card in the spokes.

Loose Chain

As much as that is a dufus move, if Presta stems get any longer I may begin to consider it as the lesser of evils.

riva

Would totally do this, but not on a good wheel.

ramzilla

I've done it a few times. Using the correct drill bit. Dipped bit in cutting oil. Used slow steady speed. File off burrs. Only for bikes that I've converted from drop bar to upright handlebar city bikes. None of the rims I've done this to failed. But, I've never tried drilling a 1/2 hole either. That's a little crazy.

bwilli88 

I do I all the time because presta valved tubes are $20 a pop and Schraders are $3 or less.

I do not do it to fancy expensive rims but a nice new 8mm bit and a fine bit of filing after. Ride time.

dddd

Quick, somebody get a rope!

cudak888 

Scott, you're making me want to do a satire...about Woods valves. Nobody loves them and double-duty Schrader/Presta pump valves do not suit them properly. They are an oppressed minority valve!



-Kurt

cudak888 

"If you get a rope, we might be able to wrap it around the frame to hold it together, since that hole we drilled in the top tube to hold the Wald rack didn't work...and broke the top tube in half. Oh, and get a drill bit so we can put a 'normal' tube in this rim."

-Kurt