ciclista_pazza

I need to buy some tubes and found the kind I'm looking for at Bikeman.com - has anyone had experience with this vendor before and how was it? I did a search on this forum and surprisingly there didn't seem to be much about this vendor recently - the most recent thread I found was from 2011.

For some reason I'm having a lot of trouble finding thorn resistant tubes for a schrader valve that are 700x28-32 but Bikeman has them. Also, any other suggestions for online vendors?

And one other somewhat related question - when I had a flat recently on my hybrid, my LBS were out of the schrader valve tubes so they used presta ones. I didn't think much of this at the time but I later talked to one of the mechanics over the phone and mentioned this and he said technically it could cause some issues but it's very unlikely - does anyone know if using a presta valve in a rim that is meant for a schrader valve is a big deal? Should I be concerned this could cause a flat or other issue? I assume these guys know what they're doing since the bike shop mechanics were the ones who decided using a different sized valve made sense to do, but him saying it could technically be an issue has me worried.

njkayaker

With a rim adapter, it shouldn't be any issue at all.

https://www.google.com/search?client=tablet-android-google&ei=CnJpXeq2JKGp5wKR7pr4Cw&q=schrader+to+presta+rim+adapter&oq=presta+schrader+adapter&gs_l=mo bile-gws-wiz-serp.1.0.0i71l5.0.0..17368...0.1..0.0.0.......0.CwwC1EGYYkI

Bikeman.com should be fine to use.

ciclista_pazza

Thanks! The mechanic I talked to said they didn't do anything special so I'm guessing they didn't use an adapter. I hope this doesn't mean I'll have an issue, but I wonder how can they be doing this kind of thing on a regular basis and not have repeat complaints from customers. I hope it isn't an issue.

njkayaker

I doubt they used an adapter. Of course, we are talking about your wheel, which means you could check! It might save you $3!

A presta tube might squeeze into the bigger Schrader hole and wear-through the tube. (This can happen with presta tubes in presta holes.)

The adapters fill-in the bigger Schrader hole.

I wouldn't have an issue using an adapter.

If you are using a pump without a hose to fill presta valves, be careful to not snap the valve stem. Wrap your finger/hand around the tire and pump head. And pump slowly and firmly (don't pump fast or throw your body into it).

(I wouldn't have a problem buying from bikeman.com either.)

ciclista_pazza

Thanks! It's sad to say but after 8 years of biking I'm still a novice at some of this stuff. I appreciate the guidance!

JonathanGennick 

My friends and I do it all the time -- putting presta valves into Schrader rims. You won't have any trouble. I do it because I got tired of always seeming to have only Schrader tubes when I needed a presta, so I just buy all presta and throw presta into everything.

Marcus_Ti

They sold me my Carver frame and a few other things. Bikeman is on the up and up, good cats.

Dirt Farmer

Is it the same guy who used to do the BikemanforU Youtube videos?

If so, yes, he's legit.