TreyWestgate

What a wonderful time for a flat!. just got some tuneups and was well on my way then looking down in the middle of my ride the front is flat.

there is not a good bike store near me but there is walmart and all I need is a tube that will do 700x28.

They have those but they are prestas where mine are schraders.

I've heard that you can get rubber spacers very cheap, but didn't see those at walmart.

I've heard someone say that you can use the collar that comes on the presta and put it on the inside of the rim hole and then put another one on the outside so that it holds the valve in place and prevents the tube from herniation.

but can it be done with the presta collars alone?.

Also don't know if I should trust a walmart tube anyway. They cost a little less than the tubes at the bike stores, but as i said am not near one.

And the one bike store nearby is run by who appears to be a crotchety old man. that's what some have said.

It's a small hole and also want to know if it's possible to patch it by putting tape on it or glue?.

Kind of afraid that the tape or glue might rip the rest of tube.

walmart also had a sealant which is pumped into the tire so that it fills the hole up as it tries to escape.

Wouldn't do walmart for any of my bike stuff if I could help it, but it is the closest place and for some bike parts you're fairly safe.

but why not a flat!?. perfect riding day and had just gotten a new chain and hubs adjusted and so nothing could go wrong right?. But something can always find a way.

stasher1

If you were at Walmart, why didn't you just buy a patch kit and fix the tube you already have?

Machka 

Bicycle shops used to carry little packets of adapters.

Johnny Mullet

I have used presta tubes in schrader rims with no problems. I made sure the valve was centered in the hole and used no lock nut at all.

Maelochs

Wal-Mart is a great place to get patch-kits and tubes ... a Lot less mark-up than bike shops, and very convenient. I carry a little patch kit and some glueless patches with me all the time.

I bought some valve stem adapter on EBay for next to nothing ... and I have also heard that you can use the knurled ring that comes with Presta-valve tires to tighten the stem into place so it will not cut on the rim hole, but I am not sure ... once I bought the adapters i didn't see a need for testing the other method.

Also, make sure your pump accepts Presta ... you can also buy adapters for that really cheap. Wal-mart sometimes carries them, EBay always does.

practical

Don't be a Walmart snob. If the store has what you need, get it. And Walmart carries a lot practical bike accessories.

katsup

I use rim grommets or valve savers with my presta tubes in schrader wheels. I do this since I already had presta tubes from other bikes. I have one of each, but prefer the aluminum because they will probably last longer.


I have heard you can use the presta nuts on the inside which I would do in a pinch, but have not had a need.

Your best bet is to call up the crotchety bike shop to see if they have them or order them online. Make sure they know you are talking about the grommet and not the presta to schrader adapter.

Maelochs

for the pump: presta valve adapter | eBay

and this is interesting: How to make a presta valve adapter in a few seconds

and for the valve stem: https://www.bikeparts.com/BPC115237/...ader-rims-pair

jfowler85

You forgot to mention it's all cheap Bell branded garbage. It's a good place for patch kits and lube though.


OP - there are adapters that thread on to the end of presta valves which enable you to use a Schrader pump. A little bit cumbersome but inexpensive and easy to figure out.

peugeot mongrel

Rim grommets or valve savers both work.
I've cut the end off of a plastic schrader valve stem cap and used what is left as a bushing. Its just the right size.

Western Flyer 

Some quality brand Presta inner tubes come with valve nuts that are machined on one or both ends to adapt Presta to Schrader. Continental and Schwalbe are two brands I know of with the adapter nuts standard. One of the advantages is the adapter can be left on the spare tube lowering the chance or losing or forgetting to bring it. Another is it is easily transferred to a cheap Walmart tube assuming it has a threaded valve stem.

dabac

If you're using a double-wall rim - easy enough to spot if you peek down the valve hole with valve removed - anything you put in/against the hubside face of the rim (like the machined valve nuts) will do (near) nothing for tube survival.
If tube herniating around the valve stem is your concern, anything you add to the valve/rim has to be on the tire side face of the rim to do anything good.


Personally I've never had any troubles using Prestas directly in Schräder-drilled rims with MTB/Hybrid type tires and pressures.
Not even the 1" slicks (5-6 Bar) have caused any issues.


Only thing "special" in my setups is that I use rim tape, and I take a bit of care not to make the hole for the valve stem any bigger than required.


For "road" type pressures, one might need something sturdier, but it still has to go on the tire side face of the rim to be functional.

bikecrate

Why don't you order the correct tubes online? Amazon, for instance, has many to chose from. Stock up and be ready the next time you have a flat.

Reynolds 

Same here.

cyccommute 

Two solutions not presented above: One is to get a stepped presta nut like this one. Sometimes they even come on presta tubes. The second one is to look at 27 inch tubes at Helmart. Those come with schrader valves and will work just as well in a 700c tire.

BlazingPedals

I just stick the presta valve through the shrader hole and use it that way. Does your pump handle presta?

SkyDog75

Why not pick up a patch kit at Walmart and patch the hole? A properly patched tube is just as good as a new one.

Flats happen. You'll get another. Be prepared for the next one. Keep a spare tube and/or a patch kit on hand.

jefnvk

If you get a metal one, make sure it actually fits your rim though. I bought one, and carried a spare presta, because one of my bikes has a Schrader back and Presta front. Schrader blew out one day, I felt smug for having it, only to find out that it didn't fit in the hole on the side of the road. I now carry little leftover rubber grommets that come with electrical connectors I use at work, that fit nearly perfectly.

Meh, I've got a "crap" Bell computer, works just fine. I've got a Bell chain, works just fine. It may not be top notch stuff, but the price more than reflects that.

This. 700x28-32/35 and 27x1-1/4 tubes are generally the same thing, most of the boxes I have on the shelf list both.

fietsbob

My Trekking Bike came with rims drilled bigger , and included a reducing grommet, and has P/V tubes.. so any (mtb ) tube will do.



And Schwalbe P/V tubes include a ring nut that is stepped and wider, so it centers the stem on the larger S/V hole.

Adaptive people have used common rubber grommets as well..

JonathanGennick 

This.

It'll work fine.

I have a bunch of the adapters, but I never bother anymore. My friends and I run numerous bikes with presta tubes on Schrader-drilled rims, and it's all good. We never bother with adapters.

rumrunn6

if you didn't have a tube, did you even have a pump? if you had a pump, why didn't you have a tube? so, did you walk home?

TenSpeedV2

Going on 4 years not stepping foot in a Wal-Mart. They are not a bike shop so I don't buy bike related stuff there. Just like I don't at Target or any big box store. I know nothing of the quality of their stuff because I simply don't go there. It's not about being a snob, but about being well prepared. Get extra tubes, get a patch kit, get the adapter if you need it, and be prepared.

Lynskeyman

when you put the grommet in (to convert a schrader to presta) you have to first peel back the rim tape (which you may want to replace if it's old, if not then it's good to use) then insert the grommet then lay the tape back down over top

Maelochs

It can also be about not spending more than I need to spend to buy what I need ... A bike shop will mark up double what Wal-mart will for a tube. And the tube is most likely made at the same factory in wherever, and sent to multiple distributors ....

I don't buy stuff at Wal-mart simply because I can buy online for less overall effort (gas and time are not free) but I don't care how "prepared" you are .... stuff happens. I once ripped a tire so badly no boot would work .... but I am sure you carry a spare tire, right? Me, I was sure glad I could buy a cheap tire in Wal-Mart ... beat pushing my bike 20 miles.

And if I Am at Wal-mart to buy something which they sell cheaper than anyone else ... why not "be prepared" and buy as couple of the Other things (like tubes) which, once travel and time are factored out (since I am already there on other business) cost less at Wal-mart than anywhere else?

Just "being prepared," as so many wise people have advised me to do.

ClydeTim

I don't buy critical bike supplies from dept stores either. But a few years ago, I needed a padded seat for a hybrid for a female friend.

The bike shop had a saddle for $30. I believe it was "Velo".

Went to Target (iirc) and picked up a saddle to compare it. Sure enough, different packaging but looking at the bottom side of the saddle, Velo was molded into the shell! .............. $15 !!!!

I will buy some low end stuff there that does not matter. I bought a bike rack there for a commuter, $15 vs the $50 at local bike shops. Not as convenient without the quick release but for a difference of $30+ dollars, I can turn an allen wrench.

Tires, tubes, no thanks.