Forum menu
Hi got some lovely box section rims which are presta. Presta valves are evil things imo. Can I drill them out to schrader size?
Main concern is firstly their double wall but I think should drill fine.
Second concern - will this weaken the rim at all?
Anything else to consider?
Also out of interest why do mtb's use Presta's - Would I for example like presta's more if I knew that the rim was in fact stronger because of this design?
Many thanks
I also hate prestas and have drilled out rims in the past - I did not die.
Currently pondering whether it's wise to do this to some Stans rims as I have some very fetching dust caps sitting around I'd like to use.
Just renember to file any burrs off...
I used to hate Presta, until I got a pump that actually screwed onto the valve, rather than just clamped on with friction. Don't bend the top of the valve now, which I always used to do.
thank you
Yes you can drill them without issue but presta are better.
Rim will be stronger with a presta sized hole, presta valves take less effort to pump them up and they don't make your wheels look stupid.
Rim will be stronger with a presta sized hole, presta valves take less effort to pump them up and they don't make your wheels look stupid.
Drivel. Have you ever drilled a rim? Have you seen the tiny fractions of metal that come out? I've been doing it 20 years now, it doesn't make the slightest difference to rim strength. And I can mash a wheel with the best of them. 🙂
Less effort? Not that I've ever noticed. Wimp! 😉
Look stupid? Do they make your shock look stupid? Or you forks? Do me a favour. It's unnoticeable. 🙂
Nobody has ever been able to give me a reason that stands up to scrutiny as to why Presta valves are any better at all. Not one.
OP - If you want to drill tour rims, fire away. You'll be fine. 🙂
Have you ever drilled a rim?
Yep 🙂
Have you seen the tiny fractions of metal that come out?
I have
it doesn't make the slightest difference to rim strength
Well clearly it will make a slight difference to strength as there is less metal there 🙂
Do they make your shock look stupid? Or you forks?
I have no shock and I don't need to put air in my forks.
It's unnoticeable
Maybe to you. Maybe you also ride ugly bikes? I'm guessing Orange 5 or Inbred 😉
Yep it's fine, you also wont have to turn down that emergency tube loan on the trail because you only use presta for absolutely no good reason.
presta valves take less effort to pump
🙄 What about the time wasted undoing the lock-nut?
Drill em ooot!!
as I have some very fetching dust caps sitting around I'd like to use.
Top tip - just push a presta dust cap into your schrader dust caps...
Just check your rims first as my Mavic 317s had a little plastic grommet fitted which when removed allowed Schraders (the correct valve) to be fitted
[img][url= http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8193/8429583679_ce219b6ebf.jp g" target="_blank">
learn to love the drill....
7.5 mm drill in case your wondering.
The amount of metal removed is minimal, it'll be weaker but only by fractions. Just drill it if you're really not that keen on presta.