Giant Doofus

I apologize if this has already been asked and answered. A search didn’t turn up anything.

Does anyone use these permanent presta to schrader adapters? https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B06XP7X1NL/ref=ox_sc_act_title_1?smid=A1NWHVGANZ971T&psc=1

It looks like the advantage over just leaving the regular adapters on is that you don’t have to screw the valve closed to leave these on without air leaking.

BikeLite

It's an adapter that you don't have to remove between air ups. It can't be permanent or you may not be able to remove the tube if it was larger than the rim hole for the presta valve.

rumrunn6

or you can just drill them out & be done w it. 7 bikes, 14 wheels all schrader

Giant Doofus

Right. I think it means “permanent” in the sense that you don’t take them off after each time you air up the tires.

Giant Doofus

I might end up going this way. I’ve gotten weary of how delicate and finicky presta valves can be. (In case anyone thinks I’m giving up too easily I should note that the relevant bike is two years old and turned 7700 miles today.)

BobbyG

I use the simple sleeve adapters like the photo I attached.

I've never seen ones like you posted. I suppose they'd save couple of steps.

rumrunn6

usually buy my long stem tubes at REI or Amazon

gregf83 

Maybe you just need a better pump. I don’t understand how a schraeder valve is easier to use.

JonathanGennick 

Can one leave the valve open when using those simple adapters? I've never done so, but I recall reading once that it was possible.

BobbyG

I don't, but I suppose the valve could stay open, since that is how it is used to fill the inner tube. My only concern would be that vibration or loosening, tightening of the adapter sleeve could put pressure on the presta "plunger" and cause a slow escape of air.

Giant Doofus

I use this kind of adapter now, but I do take it off to tighten the valve, which is cumbersome.

No, it’s not the pump. I have two: a Joe Blow and a Park, both are very high quality.

I had that same question @JonathanGennick, but share the concern expressed by @BobbyG.

I think I’ll get a set of these and try them out. At $14, it’s a pretty cheap experiment.

BobbyG

Let us know how it goes.

(You know you're a commuter when a slight variation in valve-stem adapters grabs your interest.)

Trakhak

Yes, you can leave a presta valve open. A guy I used to race with was annoyed at having to unscrew the knurled bit at the top of his presta valves, so he would snap it off. As long as the tube is holding air, the presta valve won't leak.

ThermionicScott 

If you've given up on Presta, no reason not to drill the rims.

I don't like the idea of leaving a valve open all the time with an adapter, even if it "shouldn't" ever leak.

Giant Doofus

Good to know.

PatrickGSR94

Why give up on them? I bought my first "real" adult bike around 2007, my 90's KHS MTB, but before I started really riding again in 2012 I used those adapter things. And yeah they were a PITA to deal with. But then I got a floor pump that would work with Presta valves and never looked back. They're WAY easier to deal with. All 3 of my bikes use Presta valves. My wife's bike, kid's bike, and cargo trailer tires use Schrader and I hate them.

Are you using cheap tubes? I've never once had a Presta valve wear out or break, or feel otherwise delicate or finicky, and my road bike has over 13,000 miles on it currently. Schrader valves, on the other hand, have failed on me twice. I went to pump the tires, pulled the pump head off and the entire valve ripped out of the tube, still attached to the pump head.

Now my floor pump, which works with both valve types, has a replaceable seal inside. It's starting to leak a bit while the pump head is attached to the Presta valve. I can usually get the tire pumped up before too much air leaks around the seal. But I really just need to replace that seal in the pump head and all should be good.

no motor?

Schraeder valves aren't all peaches and cream, I've had a few flats with the tube ripping by the Schraeder valve after many weeks of checking the pressure.

hermanchauw

Won't it weaken the rims?

rumrunn6

the difference in diameter is insignificant

RubeRad

I have used those types of adapters in the past, and left them on long-term, and never noticed a problem

Giant Doofus

I’ve been using Schwalbe or Conti inner tubes, though I’ve also used Q tubes. My pumps are good too: Topeak Joe Blow and a Park Tool. This bike has 7800 miles on it after about 2.5 years. I love everything about this bike except the inner tubes.

The other issue for me is that my frame pump is set up for a Schrader valve (my other bike has Schrader), so if I do get a flat on the way to work, I have to put the adapter on anyway.

KD5NRH

I know I've seen Schraeders threaded all the way down, with a ring just like a Presta to hold them in place on the rim. Not sure what tube brands use them, but they're great for many of the same reasons that we like Prestas; no chasing the stem to get the air chuck on it when the tube is completely flat, and less prone to ripping the tube like that.

PatrickGSR94

Well the easy solution is to get a Presta frame pump... right?? I just like the ease of Presta valves, with the threaded nut holding the stem in place when pumping up from flat, and the fact that no separate valve cap is needed (the plastic cap on a new tube is to keep the metal valve end from puncturing the tube during shipping, nothing more). I've had 2 flats out on the road I think, and both times my Topeak Road Morph-G mini pump worked just fine to get the Presta tubes pumped back up again.

Giant Doofus

Ha! Buying more equipment is *always* the right solution! By the way, the Topeak Road Morph-G is exactly the pump I use. I think I’ve had mine for 18 years now. It is one of those rare perfect things.

PatrickGSR94

Dang I didn't know they had been around that long. I bought mine about 3-4 years ago I think. And just a couple of weeks ago I finally ordered 2 more brackets so I can transfer the pump easily between bikes. I keep it mounted underneath the downtube on all my bikes.