[Closed] Presta Valves - due for a redesign?

Schrader? and before anyone says high pressure take a look at your shocks

- For some insane reason valve cores unscrew in same direction as the tip leading to accidental total releases of air.

Nope, never

- They are delicate and get clogged easily.

Nope, never

- Its easy to jam the tip screw and end up requiring pliers to undo them which most people don't carry on the trail.

Nope, never

- They are narrow and restrict airflow making it harder to pump than necessary.

Marginal at best

This thread is proof that some folk should never attempt bicycle maintenance.

Had them unscrew when used tubeless and gunked up
Had them clog when used tubeless
Bent the tip on quite a few

I'm thinking more of a redesign of the valve core itself.. far too many presta drilled rims out there to go back to Schrader. Could be another great way for the industry to force us to buy new wheels again 😉 I guess now rims are so much wider there is plenty of space for Schrader drilling

I had a pump that sheared off the valve every time I used it 😀

This thread is proof that some folk should never attempt bicycle maintenance.

Strange response.. guess you don't run tubeless?

Removable cores and Lezyne pumps = AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

[i]"Has there been an alternative design other than schrader?"[/i]
[url= https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunlop_valve ]Woods valve[/url]

guess you don't run tubeless?

Removable cores and Lezyne pumps = AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

I've had them get gummed up (with latex), but never to the point that they clog completely. I've also bent the ends a few times (absolutely no idea how!) and have also unscrewed the valve core by mistake on the trail.

That said, I still prefer them to Schrader valves and they're not top of my list of things that need a new standard...

Removable cores and Lezyne pumps = AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

Yep had that happen to me yesterday with my new Lezyne - the straw that broke the camels back hence this thread!

My Lezyne pumps headed to the bin. Now use Topeak which have the lever action clamp. This is for both road and MTB.

Removable cores and Lezyne pumps = AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

It doesn't happen if you remember to tighten the core up fully with pliers or the proper tool. But some manufacturers (Continental, I'm looking at you) supply tubes with the cores fairly loose.

I have one of those valve core tools (only £1 from Wiggle) in my kit for those 'just in case' moments if a pump unscrewed a valve core or something similar. Only ever had to use it once on the trail but it was worth having IME.

Unscrewed the presta valve caps yesterday to pump up the tyres, bloody valve core unscrewed as well, lost all air out the tyres.
Managed to separate valve cap from valve core, sprayed a bit of GT85 on the threads and reassembled. Hopefully that might stop the two sticking together.

For years I ran Schrader valves as i found them easier in use (can use a car tyre inflate or garage tyre pump :-)).

Since going tubeless I've (ha??) To use Presta.

No.

Yes all those things happen to me, but if the bike industry redesigns them they won't work with existing pump, they will take special shimano tire jelly not air, and for some inexplicable reason necessitate the buying of a whole new bike.

Never thought to carry a valve core tool - a spare core would also make sense

some manufacturers (Continental, I'm looking at you) supply tubes with the cores fairly loose

Thinking about it, I think the only time I've ever unscrewed a valve accidentally was on a Conti tube, while using a wide WTB dust cap.

Removable cores and Lezyne pumps = AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!
Yep had that happen to me yesterday with my new Lezyne - the straw that broke the camels back hence this

That's more a design issue with the shitty lezyne pumps.

The moment when you absent mindedly think you're unscrewing the tip, unscrew the whole thing, which is then jetted out of your fingers across the car park...

Of course they're not perfect and the valve stems can get bent or the core unscrew - but they're not going to change any time soon. If anything they've got more dominant over the last decade.

I read a good opinion piece on one of the US bike sites, with the author pointing out all the flaws but quoting some industry guy saying that roadies would want to keep them for the "prestige" image.

😆

I have one of these in my bike tool bag:
http://www.wiggle.co.uk/lifeline-valve-core-remover/
I don't bother carrying a spare valve core as I have one by default in the spare tube, but the tool has come in useful before now.

^ yes that's the one I have too.

IHN - Member
- For some insane reason valve cores unscrew in same direction as the tip leading to accidental total releases of air.
Nope, never

- They are delicate and get clogged easily.
Nope, never

- Its easy to jam the tip screw and end up requiring pliers to undo them which most people don't carry on the trail.
Nope, never

- They are narrow and restrict airflow making it harder to pump than necessary.
Marginal at best

A typical STW response. 🙄

I've bent the stupid little threaded bit and even broken one off on one occasion when using a mini pump on the trail. Hate the stupid fiddly little things with a passion but they do seem to be the default with most rim manufacturers. Alienation BMX are at least enlightened with their rims being drilled for both and supplied with a couple of bungs to plug the gap [url= http://www.alienationbmx.com/parts-2017/mischief-rim ]Alienation Mischief[/url]

Schrader are better in almost every functional way but they're a fraction heavier and require a bigger hole in the rim which is I suppose why most rim manufacturers shy away from them. I'm not ghetto drilling out my rims to fit them even though it pains me every time I have to go near the damn stupid roadie hangovers.

IHN - really?

My experience is -

Had them unscrew when used tubeless and gunked up
Had them clog when used tubeless
Bent the tip on loads over the years to the extent all my trail/pocket pumps now have a hose.

Always remove the cores to set up new tyres tubeless with an Airshot. Rarely works if I don't

After buying a bike with Stans rims supplied with Schrader tubeless valves with removable cores I can confirm there really isn't ANY advantage to using presta.

They're just better, none of the negatives outlined above apply. The only point to Presta is to fit the hole in a narrow rim. Now we're all on 30mm rims can they please be consigned to history.

Since going tubeless I've (ha??) To use Presta

Joe's No flats do a schraeder option. Works fine.

Presta is some weird hangover from the roadie world of narrow rims. Bin the hateful things!

HN - really?

My experience is -

Had them unscrew when used tubeless and gunked up
Had them clog when used tubeless
Bent the tip on loads over the years to the extent all my trail/pocket pumps now have a hose.

Always remove the cores to set up new tyres tubeless with an Airshot. Rarely works if I don't

Spot on.

Though, we are in the presence of bike maintenance gods.

Glad I'm not alone in my hatred of presta valves! It seems odd that almost all old standards from road bike days have been updated, often with only marginal gains, but that valves have escaped the treatment. They feel like an irritating relic from 50 years ago that has somehow snuck into the modern MTB.

Presta is some weird hangover from the roadie world of narrow rims.

And the rims on my newish road bike are the same width as my oldish mtb...

Simple thing to do would be to use a presta stem with a screw on adapter with a Schraeder core, plus a good quality cap capable of sealing the pressure if the valve core leaks.

Nobberinthefridge - Member

we are in the presence of bike maintenance gods.

Wizards

You're certainly old enough....

FWIW, I don't 'hate' them, I'll continue to use them unless something better comes along, but they are not without issue, especially tubeless.

Removable cores and Lezyne pumps = AAAAAAAAGGGGHHHHH!!!!!!

It's Conti tubes that are the issue. Cheapo Wiggle own brand are fine.

Funny how this problem never raises itself in any review of a Lezyne pump in any magazine, anyone would think it's some kind of conspiracy.

OP you could always move over to woods/dunlop valves.

Never had a problem with them but I remember watching matey inflating a tyre one day and

valve cores unscrew in same direction as the tip leading to accidental total releases of air

They are delicate and get clogged easily

Its easy to jam the tip screw and end up requiring pliers to undo them

All part of life's rich tapestry eh

IHN - really?

Really

My experience is -

Had them unscrew when used tubeless and gunked up
Had them clog when used tubeless
Bent the tip on loads over the years to the extent all my trail/pocket pumps now have a hose.

I'm still on tubes, so that may be a factor. I've bent the tip on a fair few over the years to be fair, but it's never mattered, they've still done up enough to 'lock'.

To be fair, any type of tubeless valve can be susceptible to the locking loosening which means that your ride ends as loads of sealant comes jazzing out of the valve hole.

I find that the valve ends of Presta valves are easily bent and damaged, so I carry spare valve cores in my Camelbak along with a small plastic tool to unscrew and replace.

I suspect that like many of you, I have been known to take a Black & Decker to my brand new rims so that they will take a schraeder valve though.

Never thought to carry a valve core tool - a spare core would also make sense

After having to reinflate a bent one in the middle of nowhere only to have it snap off thanks to the combination of my ham-fistedness and a presta's fragility, both of these items live in my pack.

Tubeless gunk blocking the airway is quickly remedied, but more of a preride problem ime

Snapped loads of them, usually with hand pumps. But not often enough to make me want to change.

Any time wide enough gets drilled for Schrader valve. Presta valves offer no advantage but plenty of disadvantages.

I'd be happier if schrader valves were consigned to history. Ugly things.

Well I can't see anything lightweight being immune from damage, I can't see any valve design not being susceptible to tubeless spluff, and I don't think high flow is a necessity when you can remove the valve core when you need it.

If it was wider, it would be a bigger hole in your rim. I guess with tubeless you might need to top up the air so it could be a bigger problem in future than it has been in the past (they've only ever been stuck when I've needed to do something in the workshop - I wouldn't top up a tyre on the trail/road generally, and if I'm fixing a puncture I don't need to undo the valve on the old tube).

So I can't see it being replaced, despite some problems.

What is wrong with shrader valves?
They seem to work fine on the millions of cars, vans, lorries etc. Work fine on my bike too, but then so do presta.

I can't see any valve design not being susceptible to tubeless spluff

milKit valves are

never had a problem with them, been tubeless since stans first came out and with years of spaffage and sticky substances haven't had a gummed up presta or one unscrew on me.

some of you lot must be seriously heavy handed clumsy buggers, I'd hate to think how you handle your partners "delicate bits" it would either be like someone with parkisons trying to unblock a sink, or a fat fingered toddler ramming toast in a cd player

Nope, never

Nope, never

Nope, never

This thread is proof that some folk should never attempt bicycle maintenance.

It's Conti tubes that are the issue

For years I ran Schrader valves as i found them easier in use (can use a car tyre inflate or garage tyre pump :-)).

I'd be happier if schrader valves were consigned to history. Ugly things.

Had far too many standards proliferation, don't want yet another one for something that is not broken.

I use Conti tubes almost exclusively.
Never had an issue.

*swoon*.

But presta valves are broken. They have no advantage over Schrader valves except for on narrow road rims. Irrelevant to whether you have broken a presta valve many have.

We have two common valve systems. One works perfectly all the time for all people, the other is fine some of the time but not always. Surely the first one should win that battle and become the only standard? How on earth is it ugly, and even if were, which it really isn't, does that matter?

For balance.

Presta I have experienced...

- Clogging with tubeless goo occasionally (solution: usually when I should have replaced the goo and valve a month before but been too busy or lazy or the bike has sat for a couple of weeks with valves down the bottom of the wheel and it pools around them)
- Tubeless goo and a bit of gunge causing the top bit to be so tight the core unscrewed instead and required pliers and a gas cannister to resolve (don't mock my heavy camelback!) (solution: see above)
- bending the tip (usually when tired and a bit cack handed/cold hands in the dark)
- the core unscrewing after a threaded CO2 inflator had frozen onto the valve. (Use a push on inflator or accept it happens once every few years)

Schrader clogs too (BMX tube ghetto tubeless).

I've not really had issues getting enough air through for tubeless.

They don't really bother me.

They get gunked up from time to time but it takes about 30 seconds to shop the core out and remove the dried sealant. I have bent a few all with hand pumps.

I presume people think it's only Presta which clogs with sealant because they've only tried Presta with sealant?

aracer - Member
I presume people think it's only Presta which clogs with sealant because they've only tried Presta with sealant?

Presta valve cores coming loose? Tighten with a piece of chain - the wide bit fits perfectly. Usually have a few links lying about from new chains.

Always done Presta for road, Schrader for MTB, never had any problems with either.

Presta is too delicate for MTB and there aren't any advanatages in using it for MTB, but is ideal for road as its easier to get higher pressures in.

Mind you, saying that, I did used to run 120psi in my BMX tyres when riding flatland...... 😯

Unscrewing valves is a pump problem, how people defended the Lezynes that had that fault I have no idea, they even started selling people a part to fix it... It doesn't happen with good pumps, unless the valve was untight.

Clogging, yep, happens- but the valve core costs basically nothing and changes in 2 seconds.

I do still prefer schrader, I don't see what presta is supposed to do better other than having a smaller hole in the rim... But it's fine.

And the fact that schrader and presta are massively well established standards that work perfectly well is exactly why we can expect to see them replaced with something totally incompatible within the next few years 😆

Perhaps you could make a Presta valve with the core using a reverse threat , that way you could unscrew the top of the valve safely , pump up the tyre and then when you tightened it down the whole thing would come unscrewed 😀 FWIW I have not had any of the valve core unscrewing problems because I make sure they are done up tight and before I put the valve cap over the valve I put a drop of oil in it which lubricates the top of the valve making it easy to turn . I have had the occasional gumming up with sealant issue but a couple of valve cores cost virtually nothing . I was much more upset when Stans gunked up my rather expensive digital pressure gage .

If you have a multitool with various sized tools for adjusting spoke nipples you should find one thats close enough to tighten a loose presta core, hence no need to carry a additional tool.

I can kind of see that Presta is not ideal but when I think about the bikes in our house the valves are not anywhere near the top of the ballache list. They're sort of down there with bar tape and bottle cages for me. Yes, there's probably a better way but meh.

How about making a Schraeder design valve but the width of a Presta? Best of both worlds.

Mind you I'm saying this as a Presta user with two Lezyne pumps and I've never had the core unscrew or snap ever.

If you have a multitool with various sized tools for adjusting spoke nipples you should find one thats close enough to tighten a loose presta core, hence no need to carry a additional tool.

FYI, I use [url= https://www.topeak.com/global/en/products/Mini-Tools/340-mini20pro_gold ]this tool[/url] and it doesn't have a valve tightening tool on it that I can see. It's bloomin' small though and has pretty much everything else 🙂

Nothing wrong with Prestas.

Until you try to work on them in subzero when your fingers are numb sausages.

They're perfect for road bikes IMO, but for mtb I prefer Schrader.

Glad I'm not alone in my hatred of presta valves!

I'm with you. They are just utter bobbins. Schrader are so much better. Chunky and robust.

AH! I've just remembered another reason Presta are s**t - ****ing valve caps! - other than some Schwalbe examples which are made of a tougher plastic they seem to be universally made of the softest, cheesiest plastic known to man and I never fail to strip the thread doing them up even under the most minuscule amount of torque.

This thread has inspired me - Does anyone make alloy Schrader valves?

[quote=newrobdob ]Presta is too delicate for [s]MTB[/s] the hamfisted

Fixed - can't say I've noticed differing requirements in robustness of valves between road and MTB - you don't tend to get rockstrikes on your valve.

[quote=Speeder ]AH! I've just remembered another reason Presta are s**t - ****ing valve caps!

and right there we have the advantage of Presta over Schrader - you don't need to use a valve cap with Presta valves.

Valve caps?

I lose them the first time I take them off - whether Presta or Schrader.

There's no caps on any of my bikes nor, indeed, my car

I have had the same issue with my otherwise excellent Lezyne pump and presta valves. Usually, I have reasonably good fine motor skills and a lot of experience working on bikes - so I don't think it's ham-fistedness.

I'd hate to think how you handle your partners "delicate bits"

I'd hate you to think about how I handle my partners "delicate bits" too. Whatever gets you off though...

FYI, I use this tool and it doesn't have a valve tightening tool on it that I can see. It's bloomin' small though and has pretty much everything else

for schraeder, you;d need a dedicated valve remover tool if you needed to squirt in a bit more jiz while out on the trails. I'm not aware of on any on a multitool (but I'm sure someone will demonstrate that there is one)

and take a presta cheese valve cap, cut the tip off, and you have a free presta to carvalve adapter

I'll stick to presta. More bases covered in one valve than any other.

Designs should be robust and have some idiot-proofness. Or, for "idiot" read cold hands dark night. Neither design is perfect from this point of view, so there is room for improvement. The improvement wouldn't result in an extra "standard" if it was compatible with either of the current valve hole sizes and current pumps would attach to it.

andytherocketeer - Member
...for schraeder, you;d need a dedicated valve remover tool if you needed to squirt in a bit more jiz while out on the trails...

[url= http://www.towsure.com/metal-schrader-valve-cap-with-core-remover?gclid=Cj0KCQjw557NBRC9ARIsAHJvVVNzCQ8t1UH_n5EFGCSUkOLH32-zj5bTZiQi0fF5QToEK8sOM4fEk1IaAiWOEALw_wcB ]There's metal valve caps with a valve core remover so it's always right where you need it.[/url]

[img] [/img]

My bikes with Schraeder valves all wear these. They also usually have a seal, so even if your valve leaks, they retain the air.

andytherocketeer - Member
...if you needed to squirt in a bit more jizz while out on the trails

You what? 😯 🙄 😆

No you don't.

Or were they a dedicated aftermarket tool purchase that comes in a rather handy form factor?

andytherocketeer - Member
Do those come as standard valve caps on reputable Schraeder tubeless valves and reputable Schraeder...

They have been around for at least 60 years I know off. There used to be at least one fitted to some new cars.

Halfords or any car accessory place will have them in packs of 4 (or your local car tyre store).