why are Presta valves so rubbish?

I prefer presta valves as they don’t tend to get clogged with mud or sealant as readily

1. Schraeder valves come fitted with valve caps that prevent mud getting in. I’ve never, ever had one get clogged with mud. Imaginary problem.

2. There is zero difference between the two as far as clogging with sealant is concerned. To add sealant, remove the valve core. To pump up the tyres, turn the wheel so the valve is at the four o’clock position so the sealant drains out. You can buy replacement schrader valve cores at any car parts outlet if they do get clogged.

Definitely wasn’t imaginary, but as I said at the end, that was in the early 90s when dustcaps weren’t considered a requirement due to fashion (and stupidity). I say fashion, but it was more young teenagers trying to be cool.
We still see a few kids arriving at coaching sessions without valve caps as well – presta and schrader.

You don’t get threads from Schrader users about how rubbish their valves are, it’s only Presta users who ‘someone told them’ or ‘this happened 30 years ago’ as a reason not to change, problems that in actual Schrader use are practically non existent.

Based on my own experience and a few mates…we’ve had zero issues with Presta valves this century, so I’d say there isn’t anything wrong with Presta valves either.

The majority of my pumps don’t do Schrader, so for that reason alone I am out.

as a reason not to change, problems that in actual Schrader use are practically non existent.

No one’s presented a good reason to change from presta yet. Beyond * I let apes work on my bike*

I’ve got a good one. They are shit, fragile, tiny and a PITA to get enough air in to when compare to Schrader. They are worse in every way yet have somehow become the go to standard.

Well, thanks to this thread I now know that replacement cores are a thing, and I can hopefully just change the core rather than binning the tube. Have ordered a pack.

If you see a post on here next week asking how to replace 6 broken spokes and a part-melted tyre, you’ll know why ..

I’ve got a good one.

Are you going to share it?

@Trail_rat I’m with @funkmasterp  on this.

They are shit, fragile, tiny and a PITA to get enough air in to when compare to Schrader. They are worse in every way yet have somehow become the go to standard.

If narrowness to fit in tiny rims and a long stem length are your requirements then fine they’re absolutely perfect but for mountain bikes, especially those running tubeless, they are shit. I also don’t understand how we’ve not evolved towards bigger valves holes in rims and Schraeder valves. Are they perceived to be too heavy? Is there no way to patent them? Even the new expensive solutions are using the daft tiny valve hole – why are we persevering with this ridiculous standard when we’ve 3 handlebar sizes and however many wheel size and hub standards?

I don’t get why you’re defending them @Trail_rat ?

Could this be the answer to the op’s issues or is it still 42?

The End of the Presta Valve? New Schwalbe CLIK Valve Has Potential to Become Industry Standard

Importantly, the CLIK Valve can be installed into all current Presta valves by simply changing the valve core.

Additionally, most existing presta valve pumps should work with the CLIK Valve without any adapter at all.

Looks interesting

They’re all special spanners though. In kerleys case its quite obviously his special wheel spanner, it might look a lot like a 15mm spanner but its a wheel nut spanner.

Kerley strikes me (In a good way) as one of those who own one of those reassuringly expensive Campagnolo Peanut Butter Spanners and keeps it in a canvas roll with a selection of equally well made sprockets, strapped neatly under his saddle with a folded spare tub.  He never has a problem with presta valves or Lezyne pumps as he has a polished Silca frame pump mounted on proper pegs. 

I on the other hand am disorganized chaos and have to own

2x chain whips

1x pedal spanner

2 x Bone spanners

1x lockring c-spanner

1 x special track multitool that combines chain whip, pedal spanner, track nut spanner and lockring C-spanner in one.

A random selection of ali-express sprockets.

And yet will still be trackside with a rock and a flat screwdriver tapping off the locking and sprocket because I couldn’t find the right tools and have to borrow the track pump and do the mental gymnastics of of converting psi to bar because it’s a TRACK pump and they use different units because ….. reasons.

Looks interesting

Looks a bit like the SRAM Bleeding Edge connectors?

Those Clik valves look rubbish, just  another proprietary standard. Why don’t they use a Schraeder valve stem for even more airflow instead of stupid narrow presta?

Why don’t they use a Schraeder valve stem

Because Schraeder stems are still too wide for most road rims.

In the late 90s I used to ride with people who as a matter of course drilled out mtb rims to take Schraeder valves. I think that’s probably still where we’re at for those who feel strongly enough, though for those who break valves through cack-handedness using a drill is probably a bad idea…

Why don’t they use a Schraeder valve stem

Cos they’re not for cars or Apollo bikes? 🤣

Can’t believe this is still going on!

In the late 90s I used to ride with people who as a matter of course drilled out mtb rims to take Schraeder valves. I think that’s probably still where we’re at for those who feel strongly enough, though for those who break valves through cack-handedness using a drill is probably a bad idea…

I’ve drilled out rims that had no valve hole at all (designed for solid tyres) and can confirm it’s not quite as idiot proof a job as it looks.

If I did it regularly I’d get a cone drill bit and do it on the pillar drill, normal bits by hand gave a rubbish finish with big chunks of aluminum ripped out.

ballsofcottonwoolFree Member
Those Clik valves look rubbish, just  another proprietary standard.

except they’re not  at all, they fit existing valves and most existing pump heads.

Why don’t they use a Schraeder valve stem for even more airflow instead of stupid narrow presta?

How many rims drilled for presta are out there on the market already?  How many owners want to, or can, drill them out?

The Clik valve looks to be available as a simple retro fit valve core to replace presta.

I was a sceptic but when I realised it might be a drop-in, and work with my pump, I quite like it.

I expect them to be a successful and popular as Schwalbe’s Procore was.  How many people are going to buy a new head for their track pump, mini pump(s) and CO2 inflator?  Another expensive ‘solution’ that could easily be solved with a cheap existing product.

also we currently only have Scwalbe’s word that they don’t clog up.

edit – I’m pretty sure the press release on said they required you to buy new pump heads, but could replace the existing one on most pumps.

Cos they’re not for cars or Apollo bikes? 🤣

Never seen an Apollo with Mavic DeeMax, got any pics?

 Both Presta and Dunlop valves can be converted by simply swapping the valve core. There is also an adapter for Schrader valves that screws onto the top of the existing valve – this allows you to use a CLIK Valve pump with Schrader valves, while still being able to use a standard Schrader valve pump or chuck as well.

Pumps and CO2 inflators are also covered with adapters that can be screwed into the head or clamped down. Additionally, most existing presta valve pumps should work with the CLIK Valve without any adapter at all.

Seems like they have done all they c an to make them compatible with existing bits.

 Dunlop valves

handy if your converting your 1974 clunker  to clik i guess

Muckoff seem to have an interesting idea with quite a few different options

They seem to be using a ball valve

Muc-Off Big Bore Tubeless Valves

Dammit I’m late to the party, but Muck Off are really trying hard to not just use a Schrader 🤣

Forty quid a pair aren’t they. Lol!

Looks like the Schwalbe Clik valve doesn’t work with standard pumps without an adaptor – which seems a bit useless for use on the trail where you might want to lend or borrow a minipump.

I’m getting this from https://www.schwalbe.com/en/Schwalbe-Clik-Valve-Conversion-Set-3540…

The Schwalbe Clik Valve can also be inflated with conventional SV pumps. All you need is the pump head adapter, which can simply be plugged into your existing pump. It is then clicked onto the Schwalbe Clik Valve. Handling is intuitive and inflating the valve is child’s play. No risk of air loss and no signs of wear on the pump head.

Is this the answer to a maiden’s prayers?

The End of the Presta Valve? New Schwalbe CLIK Valve Has Potential to Become Industry Standard