Reynolds 

I like Presta more, but Schrader works well too. I had some Presta tubes fail at the stem/tube interface though, never with Schrader.

dabac

I’ve only ever used the same pumps as for my Prestas. No adapters, no problem. The tips of the valves where they engage the pump are close enough in diameter.
And just like on Prestas, the valve cap can be permanently left off with minimal consequences.
Yeah, that type of valve core wasn’t much fun. Mostly b/c it created a lot of resistance while inflating. Plastic hand pumps could get warm enough to start deforming.
Over here, we have these:

We’d call them ”speed valves”, or ”flash valves” due to how much faster inflation went.
If Japan really haven’t discovered these, there might be a business opportunity there for you.
It’s the exact same fit as the tubed valve cores and with the longevity and flow characteristics like Prestas.

Reynolds 

+1 to all dabac said.

cyccommute 

Yes, the Presta stem sometimes pulls out of the tube but I’ve also seen tons of Schrader fail at the valve stem. The rubber coating fo the Schrader valve gets cut and it won’t hold air. The stem can get cut when the Schrader valve is at an angle in the valve hole of the rim. Sometimes that’s because people don’t install the valve correctly and leave it at an angle and sometimes it’s due to creep of the tube when the pressure is low. Oddly enough, I’ve never seen a Presta installed at an angle or at an angle due to tube creep.

Gresp15C

Tube creep has been an ongoing mystery. Like you say, I've only seen it on my Schrader tires. To be fair, Schraders are more likely to be found on lower end bikes, so maybe they're just more neglected. And my one remaining bike with Schrader is the one that gets the most neglected, since it's the daily commuter bike. Also, Schrader valves tend to be found on bikes with wider tires. But still, 'tis a mystery.

The Schrader tubes I've had are metal all the way down, so cutting the rubber coating doesn't affect anything. I think they're a bit stronger just because the base is bigger and thicker, but that's speculation.

I think what it boils down is that either type of valve requires a modicum of care to use, and the failures are so few and far between that it's hard to pin down either root cause or any kind of quantitative reliability. Most of us ride whatever was on the bike when we bought it. "The good is the enemy of the good enough." In my case, Schrader is gradually fading away because my new wheel builds have all been Presta just due to availability of rims.

Reynolds 

The Presta and Schrader valves I've seen are attached differently, the Presta has a groove in the metal stem while the Schrader has an integral rubber circle which in my opinion is stronger due to the bigger attachment area. But yes, I've seen Schrader fail due to tire creep. A friend of mine had this problem on his front wheel, braking on descents with a heavy loaded bike. Tried many things but the only way to really fix it was to change the rim.

BikeLite

I prefer schrader but use both. The only valve I have ruined before is a presta because I didn't understand them. I lose air on both of them sometimes when pumping.

dedhed

Never had an issue with presta adaptors but only use good brass ones with an O ring. The only time I use a hand pump is when I have a flat on the road.

dkatz1

I don't love them, but I don't regard them as a problem, either. In 21 years, I think I have broken ONE. Big deal.

Nipomored

I believe Presta valves are used on bicycles because they require a smaller hole in the wheel so do less damage to the structural integrity of the wheel. I have never considered switching!

idrum4u

I have been in the bicycle industry since 1977 and DO NOT like presta valves. I keep having to reach for an adaptor.

Goldrush

I'm the opposite. I hate schrader valves. Presta only.

pallen

The most logical reason for using presta valves I've heard was in drag race cars that had little tiny wheels in front. It was possible they could spin so fast that the center valve would depress from the centripetal force and some air could be lost. The presta valve allowed you to lock them shut to prevent this. I don't know if that's true or legend, but it's what I heard
A quick google search of images of front drag wheels shows that at least some are using schrader valves with caps.

BurleyCat

I don't own any tubeless wheels, so don't know about that. What about deep rims? I've got two bikes with semi-aero hoops and am sure a Schrader stem wouldn't be long enough even if I drilled out the hole(s). I did have to do a 'shade tree' enlargement to fit a Schrader into a Presta rim once, using the tang of a file. Worked fine.

Texpe

I keep an adaptor on all my bikes In case needed I even buy the adaptors to match the cables to add some coordination of the bikes color scheme

sacr

some like the schrader because they can use them at gas stations to fill up? Found years ago, that few had their compressors or gauges set so that any more than 60 psi could be put into the tyres, which will get you rolling but not good enough on a 32 width tyre or less. Also have found the issue that whatever depresses the schrader valve on your pump to let the air in is problematical in actually pressing it the right amount to let air in and/or causes leakages greater than the rate one can pump it in. So for high pressure bike tyres, presta for me.

Troul 

increasing rim depth & reducing the rim width will at some point favor or require a presta.

Bill in VA

I have been using presta since my I put alloy rims on my Peugeot UO-8 circa 1974. Never ever had a problem. I carry 2 spare presta tubes always. In the old days of 25mm tires is was super easy, with 32s a bit larger, but still small. My first floor pump was a Silca Pista for tubulars, it was Presta only as are my Silca frame pumps. I do carry a brass presta to schraeder adapter as a just-in-case, but never needed it. None of the folks I ride with use Schraeder, and those that had them on hybrids went to Presta.

holder66

My floor pump handles both Presta and Schrader valves without needing to change anything. I use it on bikes, my motorcycle, even my car. The biggest problem is with Schrader valves which sink down into the rim and tire when the tube has very little air in it. The nut on Presta valves prevents that from happening.

Snocrvr

Interesting discussion. I have been riding bicycles both on and off road for about 60 years. At 74, I still ride about 1000 miles a year - in Minnesota (with roughly 7 decent weather riding months). I now ride long wheelbase recumbents for comfort (Easy Racers). I have managed and worked in bike shops, and was the president of a large (about 1500 riders) bike club for a couple of years. I have used both Schrader and Presta tubes for those 60 years. For most of them I used only Presta. Still do. Why? Generally, better Presta pumps available. Much more reliable fills with less leakage. Less failures around the base of the stem. And, Presta is what I am used to. My recommendation - go with whatever you like. There was once an article in a magazine called Bike World. The owner of a bike shop related the story of bike rider customers sitting around his shop discussing different brands of components. At one point, they asked the owner what he thought. His response was "quit sitting around talking." "Go ride your bikes." Schrader? Presta? I say Presta.

veganbikes

What bicycle industry are you working for that you need an adaptor? Most modern pumps do both valves or at least presta and the Park Tool inflator works with both valves and so does the Prestacycle inflator both of which are sold on QBP. The SKS head has a integrated chain with a presta adaptor on it you don't even need to thread.

Dennis9156

I was hesitant to change to presta valves but upgraded to tubeless and had no choice but to switch I found presta valves from chain reaction cycles that have a built in core remover (nukeproof) and got 2 spare adaptors that screw on so you can use a schrader pump attachment that I carry with me if riding so either way its easy to to put air in if needed as I also use a compressor if at home it makes the job easier , But in saying that since going tubeless I dont have the normal aggravation of puncturing tubes like most things different people different preferences do what suits you most . But I have to say tubeless is my preference now.

SkinGriz

If you think you are losing pressure through a shrader valve, you can loosen and retighten the core. Or you can remove the core to blow any FOD out and reinstall.

On a shrader valve stem... ditch the stupid black plastic cap. The good caps are made of brass and have a little rubber seal inside. Put a tiny bit of atf/motor oil/power steering fluid in that cap and install the cap. After that it’s practically impossible for it to leak out the stem core.

Shrader goes to 500psi in HVAC, 105psi on tractor trailers. Bigger shrader goes to 150psi on tophandlers, 35k forklifts.

If I remember right, shrader is on motorcycle shocks to charge with nitrogen.

Zero experience with Presta- just clarifying any ideas that shrader is inferior for high psi.

JohnDThompson 

Presta is easier to pump to high pressure with a hand pump as there's no valve spring to fight.

njkayaker

???

The pressure in the tire is what you are "fighting".