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Shrader vs. Presta -- Adapter possible? Differences?

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Old 02-22-17, 08:55 AM
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bikerbobbbb
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Shrader vs. Presta -- Adapter possible? Differences?

I'm all shrader now. If I got a rim that has a presta hole for the valve stem, what can I expect switching to presta?

Are there adapters to reuse a shrader pump with a presta valve? Or a presta pump with an adapter to a shrader valve stem?


Spare inner tubes I've got now become worthless.


I'd need to get a whole new presta pump if there are no adapters?
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Old 02-22-17, 09:06 AM
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The adapters work fine.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Presta-Va...apter/39086787
https://www.amazon.com/Innovations-I.../dp/B000CF2B0K
Nashbar Presta Valve Adapter
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Old 02-22-17, 09:11 AM
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There are adapters. Shrader pump to Presta valve are so common some bike shops even have a container next to the cash register. You can leave them on the valve stem.

https://www.amazon.com/Slime-23042-P.../dp/B007OX6E3S

Presta pump to Schrader valve also exist

https://www.amazon.com/Schrader-to-P.../dp/B00L3PNK1W

I have a Kuwahara Hirame Presta head on my floor pump because it's the best, and use a Presta to Schrader adapter on the rare occasion I need to inflate a Schrader tube.

Last edited by Drew Eckhardt; 02-22-17 at 03:36 PM.
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Old 02-22-17, 09:27 AM
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If you like Schräders it's just about always possible to drill out Presta drilled rims to take Schräder valves.
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Old 02-22-17, 09:39 AM
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I've got a bunch of those adapters in the shop. If you go that way, send me your address and I'll drop a pair in the mail.
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Old 02-22-17, 09:53 AM
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[QUOTE=bikerbobbbb;19394966]I'm all shrader now. If I got a rim that has a presta hole for the valve stem, what can I expect switching to presta?

Are there adapters to reuse a shrader pump with a presta valve? Or a presta pump with an adapter to a shrader valve stem?

QUOTE]


There are adapters. There are pumps with dual-use heads, or convertible heads like the Topeak Morph series.


Instead of the pump head pushing the valve core open like Schrader, air pressure does it with Presta, AFTER you undo the little nut on the valve. "Burp" the valve before applying the pump head in case the valve has gotten stuck.
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Old 02-22-17, 10:05 AM
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Originally Posted by wphamilton
The adapters work fine
just not at gas station pumps
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Old 02-22-17, 10:06 AM
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Originally Posted by dabac
If you like Schräders it's just about always possible to drill out Presta drilled rims to take Schräder valves.
yup, swapped all mine

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Old 02-22-17, 10:56 AM
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If you drill out a presta rim for shrader, do you have to sand it back down to make it safer for the valve stem?
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Old 02-22-17, 11:08 AM
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If you were a mechanic that question would answer itself.
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Old 02-22-17, 11:16 AM
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I'm not a mechanic... It sounds safer to sand it a bit or maybe add in rubber around the edges to protect the valve stem even more.
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Old 02-22-17, 11:22 AM
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You can also get push-on adapters for the pump. I haven't used these for quite some time as many pumps now do both Presta and Schrader.

Zefal Bicycle Presta Adapter, Push-on Alloy with Chain



I've had quite good luck with the JoeBlow pumps (with metal head) (Sport?) which will easily accept both Schrader and Presta valves.

https://www.rei.com/product/657109/t...ort-floor-pump
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Old 02-22-17, 11:32 AM
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in the shop , hole drilling in metals, leaves burrs, a de burring tool cuts away burrs, quickly.

sandpaper is not the right tool for everything..

there are many p/v to s/v adapters, rubber grommets are one of them.


Have you used the Forum archives yet,? I recommend doing that .. it's been a rehashed FAQ often.





...

Last edited by fietsbob; 02-22-17 at 11:37 AM.
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Old 02-22-17, 12:26 PM
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Originally Posted by bikerbobbbb
If you drill out a presta rim for shrader, do you have to sand it back down to make it safer for the valve stem?
yeah use a little file. files are good to have around. a flat one & one that looks like a pencil cuz you can twist it inside the hole. use the flat one to bring down the burs. I also like to put a little black paint on the edges. take your time, don't rush it
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Old 02-22-17, 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by bikerbobbbb
I'm all shrader now. If I got a rim that has a presta hole for the valve stem, what can I expect switching to presta?

Are there adapters to reuse a shrader pump with a presta valve? Or a presta pump with an adapter to a shrader valve stem?


Spare inner tubes I've got now become worthless.


I'd need to get a whole new presta pump if there are no adapters?
So tell me what caused you to get a new rim. How wide is your new rim vs. whatever you had before? If it were my bike, I'd almost surely drill out the rim to accept Schrader tubes.

If you'd like, I could argue for a very long time on the relative merits of Schrader vs. Presta valves. And I'm able to argue either side.
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Old 02-22-17, 02:59 PM
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A tapered hand reamer can be used to enlarge the hole from presta- to schrader-sized.
Presta valves on all the bike wheels in our garage except wife's bike.
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Old 02-22-17, 03:22 PM
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Oh... also, for the mini-pumps, you often unscrew the end. Pull out the rubber piece. Behind that should be a little plastic piece with a pin. Turn it the other way. That fat end of the rubber should slide onto it, then insert it back into the pump, pin down, and skinny end of the rubber up. Screw it back together. And, you've converted your Schrader mini pump to a Presta Mini Pump.

There are probably photos or videos on the internet, but it becomes quite logical once you've done it a few times.

If you're setting up a new bicycle with a unique tire size, I'd probably keep it Presta.

If you have a second bike, or spare wheel, of the same size as others you're using. Then it would be easiest to standardize. You can probably use a Presta valve in a Schrader hole.

But, eventually plan on all bikes with the same tire size being Presta, or all bikes being Schrader.

Don't do a single bike with one being Schrader and one being Presta, unless tube sizes are significantly different.
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Old 02-22-17, 07:05 PM
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Originally Posted by rumrunn6
just not at gas station pumps
I've never not had a presta adapter work at a gas station. What has been your problem with them?
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Old 02-22-17, 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Jeff Neese
I've never not had a presta adapter work at a gas station. What has been your problem with them?
Push-on chucks work spottily with presta adaptors. The pin can slip entirely in the adaptor...compounded by the presta valve not having enough resistance to open the pin when pressure is low.

That said, most pumps at has stations that I've seen now are spoon/lever-type inflators, and it is irrelevant.
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Old 02-23-17, 08:39 AM
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I hate those presta to Schraeder adapters. They make the inflation process longer (unless you leave the presta nut unscrewed all the time) and they don't always work.

Since this is the only presta wheel in your fleet, ream out the hole for a Schraeder valve if you can. It's fine to do unless the rim is very narrow.

Personally, I try to run Schraeder where I can because they're more durable and I can always use a spare presta tube if I need to, but the opposite can't be done.
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Old 02-23-17, 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by wschruba
Push-on chucks work spottily with presta adaptors. The pin can slip entirely in the adaptor...compounded by the presta valve not having enough resistance to open the pin when pressure is low
after a bad day trying several gas stations with these, I said never again

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Old 02-23-17, 10:20 AM
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Originally Posted by wschruba
Push-on chucks work spottily with presta adaptors. The pin can slip entirely in the adaptor...compounded by the presta valve not having enough resistance to open the pin when pressure is low.

That said, most pumps at has stations that I've seen now are spoon/lever-type inflators, and it is irrelevant.
I can't dispute your experiences, but I have a push-on chuck on my compressor at home, pretty much identical to what gas stations have, and all of my adapters work fine, everywhere. And I have several kinds, from the cheap aluminum ones you find at the cash register to the nice thick brass ones.

I do find that sometimes if I don't unscrew the presta valve all the way out, or don't thread the adapter all the way on and seat it tight, it can sometimes not work right on the first try. But that's user error, me being in a hurry and not watching what I'm doing.
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