Presta Valve vs. Schrader — All Bike Tire Valve Types

If you’re looking to replace a bicycle tube, one of the most important decisions to make is whether to use a Presta or Schrader valve. Both types of valves have their advantages and disadvantages, so understanding the differences is essential in choosing the right type of valve for your bike. 

A Presta valve is a slender, metal valve commonly found on higher-end bicycles and used on mid- to higher-pressure tubes, such as on a road or mountain bike. A Schrader valve is found on automobile tires, which is larger, thicker, and features a spring-loaded center pin. 

This is the major difference between the two, but there’s more to this than what meets the eye. So, Presta or Schrader?

Which one is best? Let’s find out. 

What Is Presta Valve? 

The Presta valve (also known as the Sclaverand valve) is a type of pneumatic valve found on high-pressure bicycle tires. It is made up of an outer valve stem and a valve core that houses a spring-loaded check valve. 

Unthreading the outer valve stem opens the valve core, allowing air to be pumped into the tube.

The valve core is then screwed back into place to close the valve and keep the air pressure constant.

What Is Schrader Valve?

A Schrader valve is a type of valve commonly found on car and bicycle tires, as well as air conditioning and refrigeration systems. It is a type of check valve which consists of a valve stem with a spring-loaded, hollow, cylindrical core inside it, and an external cap that threads on and off. 

The valve core is closed when the cap is tightened and opens when the cap is removed.

The valve core is opened by pressing down on it, allowing air or other substances to pass through.

What’s the Difference Between Presta Valve And Schrader Valve? 

There are quite a few similarities between the two valves, but there are plenty of differences as well. Here are a few major differences between Presta and Schrader valves. 

Presta Valve Vs Schrader Valve 

Now that we’ve outlined their differences let’s move on to the real question at hand: which one should you use? 

This completely depends on what you’re comfortable with and how much security you desire from your valve.

A Presta valve is more commonly found in day-to-day bikes and hence is easier to find tires for them, too.

Conversely, Schrader valves are more secure, having a cap and rubber enclosure that keeps the tire rim airtight and a spring enclosure that makes easy access. 

These alone aren’t enough to determine which valve to use, which is why I’ve listed down the pros and cons of both valves for better analysis. 

» Read my blog post: How to Remove Rust From a Bicycle

Pros of Presta Valve 

Sturdy 

One of the most significant advantages of using Presta valves is that they strengthen the wheels. Presta valves are advantageous because they are narrower and thus fit more snugly into the hole.

The rim hole is small and the valve is bigger which allows for extra material left in the rim. It’s this extra material that helps keep the tire strong and sturdy. 

To put it simply, these valves help to maintain the structural integrity of the tire and do not have the same impact as Schrader valves.

This isn’t as important for wider tires, but for smaller ones, smaller valve holes help keep the tire strong.

Fits Narrow Rims 

One major issue with Schrader valves is that some rims are too small to fit them. When this occurs, a Presta valve is the best choice because it is long and can fit into thinner and narrower valves.

Thicker valves can’t fit into the rims of tires and therefore pose a hurdle. This problem is usually seen in racing bikes, where they use clincher tires. 

If you plan on using narrow tires, make sure to use Presta valves. 

Available In Different Lengths 

One significant advantage of this valve is that it is available in a variety of lengths. This not only expands the Presta valve range but also makes it easily accessible for any bike type.

Rim size is available in 32 mm, 40 mm, 48 mm, 60 mm, and 80 mm lengths.

Longer valves are required when using deeper rims, such as carbon fiber rims.

The valve essentially needs to reach from the rim bed to the other side of the rim. This isn’t possible with Schrader valves that only come in 32 mm in length. So, if you have deeper rims, you won’t be able to use Schrader valves. 

Easy To Inflate Tires

Finally, Presta valves make tire inflation easier. This is because the locknut on the valve’s base holds the valve against the rim. When the tire is flat, the mechanism prevents it from moving up and down the rim.

When the valve remains in place, it is much easier to attach your pump to the tire and inflate it. As we discussed in the first pro, these valves make the tire more secure, and the same concept applies here.

Cons of Presta Valve 

More Fragile 

One disadvantage of using Presta valves is that they are more fragile. This is due to their long and skinny design, which puts them at risk of breaking easily.

In addition, the locknut may sporadically separate from the bolt. Other times, the top section can easily bend, so be cautious when installing the valve.

This is one of the main reasons why you must be extra gentle when pumping your tires to avoid accidentally breaking the valve. When inflating your tires, you can easily break off the top of your valve, causing a slew of issues.

Hard to Find Replacement Parts 

Another significant disadvantage of using Presta valves is that replacement parts are extremely difficult to come by.

This is because the tubes are typically only found in modern bike shops and not in any mechanic’s garage.

As time goes on, Presta valves become less common, making it difficult to find them in department stores. Presta valves aren’t always available.

This can be a big problem for tourists and cyclists because you won’t be able to find a spare part easily.

Expensive 

Lastly, these valve types are expensive. They tend to cost a lot more than regular Schrader valves. The reason may probably be because they’re considered “high-end.”

So, if you don’t already have Presta-compatible pumps, prepare to spend a small fortune on them. Another issue is that not all pumps are cross-compatible, so you cannot simply use any type of pump.

These pumps end up costing a lot more than regular pumps and can be quite the budget strain if you’re not up for spending so much. 

Pros of Schrader Valve 

Durable 

To begin with, these valves are strong and will not budge. This is due to two factors.

One difference is that the valve core is located inside the valve. As a result, the valve body protects and maintains the core’s durability.

This is in contrast to Presta valves, which have an exposed body and are more prone to breaking.

Schrader valves have a short and thick design that increases their durability and ensures the design is strong enough not to break or bend easily.

This way, you don’t have to be as gentle when changing tubes because they can withstand some pressure. 

More Universal 

Secondly, they’re a lot more universal in comparison to Presta valves. These are standardized and found in every nook and cranny of the world.

Pretty much every bike or motor vehicle uses Schrader valves, so you can easily find them in departmental stores, too. 

It’s also found in every country, so you don’t have to worry about having a broken bike anywhere in the world. This helps all those bicycle tourists that can’t resist traveling. 

If you’re ever looking for replacement tubes, chances are you can easily find them in the nearest store. 

» Maybe this also could be of interest to you: Pros and Cons » Tube Vs Tubeless Bicycle Tires

More Reliable

Lastly, these kinds of valves have fewer exposed parts. Most of their contents stay inside the stem of the valve so nothing is essentially exposed, which can be broken. 

Additionally, there’s a cap on top which helps keep the dirt and grime from entering the valve and further protects the contents inside.

And if this wasn’t enough, Schrader valves also have a thicker and sturdier design which is far better than Presta valves.

The sturdy design accounts for saving the valve anytime it might get stuck when pumping it or when dealing with a tire issue, and you can be assured nothing will result in the valve breaking. 

Cons of Schrader Valve 

Makes Wheels Weak 

While Schrader valves may sound like a dream, they do have their fair share of cons as well. One of them is making the tires weak. This happens by the valve hole which creates a weak spot in the rim.

Since there’s less material in that spot, it results in weaker tires. Therefore, larger holes make for weaker tires which is something Schrader valves do.

Schrader valves usually need an 8 mm hole for them to fit through. 

This is opposed to Presta valves that only need 6 mm; this extra 2 mm is what makes the tire so weak and flailed. The hole essentially weakens the rim, which, as we know, is the backbone of a tire. 

May Not Be As Efficient

Finally, the most vexing issue is that some air will always escape through the valve when inflating the tire. This reduces its efficiency. When you remove the pump, some air usually manages to escape through the cap.

Other times, the pump gets stuck when you’re trying to remove it, and air can leave through the small gaps made while you’re removing it.

This results in you losing a few PSI and ending up having the tire lower than its required pressure.

Conclusion

That’s all there is to it: a  comprehensive examination of the two most common types of bike valves! This demonstrates that both Presta and Schrader valves have redeeming qualities, but they differ in terms of what the user prefers.

Presta valves are recommended if you value strength and ease of inflation. You can use Presta valves if you don’t travel to other countries by bike.

On the other hand, if you want to take it with you while traveling and want it to be easily accessible, the Schrader valve is the way to go. In any case, you can rest assured that both valves do their jobs to the best of their abilities.