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Bicycle valves are one of the most crucial bike components that you need to maintain constantly. Valves allow for easy inflation and deflation of your bike tires, so they must be functioning correctly at all times.
The Presta valve is a type of valve that is used on most bicycle tires. But as a biker, do you know what a Presta valve is and how it differs from a Schrader valve?
In this post, we will walk you through the benefits of using a Presta valve, how it works, and how to use it to pump up your bike tires.
What Is a Presta Valve?
When we talk about bike valves, what do you think of? If you’re a mountain biker, you most probably immediately pictured a Schrader valve, which is a type of valve used in bike and car tires for decades.
However, there are other types of valves, too, such as the Presta valve. The Presta valve is said to have been invented by a Frenchman named Sclaverand back in the 1920s. Hence, it is often called a French valve or a Sclaverand valve.
This valve has since become an industry standard on road bikes and high-end mountain bike models. It has its unique benefits, and it is important to know when you plan on using one for your bike.
The Presta valve is a slender metal tube with an inside diameter of about 0.335 inches and an outside diameter of 0.395 inches, with the differences depending on the size Presta valve it is (the larger one will have greater diameters). There are also two holes at its base to allow for easy inflation or deflation of the Presta tubes.
Presta Valves vs Schrader Valves: What’s the Difference?
Another question you might have as a biker is how a Presta valve and a Schrader valve differ from each other. So let’s find out!
A Schrader valve is a type of cycling valve that has an inside diameter of about 0.335 inches (the outside diameter will depend on the Presta valve size), and it is an essential component for tire inflation.
The Presta valve has a slightly smaller inside diameter of about 0.335 inches (the outside diameter will depend on the valve sizes) and has no rubber gasket or a metal core in its design. Thus, it is more suitable for inflating higher-end mountain bikes and road bikes that require higher pressures. It is also more durable than Schrader valves.
Using a Presta Valve: How to Pump Up or Deflate Your Bike Tire
Now that you know the difference between Presta and Schrader valves, let’s talk about how to use a Presta valve correctly.
How to Inflate a Bike Tire with a Presta Valve
Here’s what you need to do to inflate your valve:
- Locate the valve. It is usually at the top of your tire, but there are some cases wherein it might be located somewhere else, depending on its size and position in the wheel.
- Remove the dust cap.
- Next, keep the valve open by placing the air vent screw into its maximum position for easy inflation or deflation.
- Connect an appropriate air pump to the open valve hole. The bicycle pumps should fit. Otherwise, you will need an adapter.
- Once the pump head is pressed onto the valve, slowly begin to pump air using the lever until it reaches its maximum pressure or desired level of inflation. Make sure not to push too hard to avoid puncturing the Presta tubes.
- Once your valve is fully inflated, remove the pump, keep the valve closed, and screw the dust cap back in place.
How to Deflate Bicycle Tires With a Presta Valve
To release air from your bike tires, you need to:
- Simply unscrew the dust cap.
- Check valve to ensure that the tire is at its desired pressure level before you begin deflating it.
- Press the valve pin with a thin object like an Allen wrench or small screwdriver. This will allow air to be released from the bicycle tube slowly without making too much noise.
- After that, slowly depress the valve pin further to deflate the tire until it reaches its desired pressure level or deflation point.
- Once you are satisfied with the air level, close the valve, and then place plastic dust cap back onto the valve.
How to Fill a Presta Valve Using an Air Compressor Kickstand
If you do not have access to Presta pumps, you can use an air compressor kickstand instead. Connect it directly to your valve stem and activate the switch on your kickstand’s handle grip.
- Locate the Presta valve and place its dust cap in a safe place.
- Next, check the tire’s pressure level before you begin inflating it through the Presta tube valve.
- After that, depress the bike tube valve core by pressing it down into its fully open position to allow for more airflow. You can do this by hand or with an Allen wrench.
- Once you are ready to inflate your bike tire, activate the kickstand’s switch and begin inflating until you reach its maximum air pressure or desired level of inflation.
- Once done, screw the plastic cap back in place.
Pro Tips: Never over-tighten the valve as this might result in damage or breakage. Make sure that you rewind it by turning clockwise instead of counterclockwise – otherwise, they might get stuck and even break off.
Benefits of Using a Presta Valve
Presta valves feature numerous advantages compared to Schrader or Dunlop valves. Let’s discuss each one below.
Presta Valves Have a Slimmer Halve Head
Presta valves can fit through tighter openings or frame tubes. This makes it easier to pump air onto your bike tires.
Presta Valves Are Easier to Remove From the Bike Rim
This is because they do not have an internal spring pushing down on them. You can remove it with one hand, unlike a Schrader valve which has a valve spring.
Presta Valves Provide More Accurate Tire Pressure Readings
These have a narrow cylindrical head that makes the gauge readings more precise.
Presta Valves Are Suitable for High-Pressure Tires
They are ideal for bikes with thin tires used in racing or mountain biking. They also have a strong tire sealant at the rim, making them leak-resistant.
Presta Valves Are More Aerodynamic Than Schrader Valves
This is because of their smaller size compared to Schrader valves. They may also have a lower profile, reducing wind resistance and making them less likely to snag on-road hazards or trail debris.
Presta Valves Have a Longer Lifespan
Presta valve bodies can be re-used after removal from the bike rim. They can be taken apart, and the body re-used as a spare. The valve head is highly durable because of its solid brass construction.
Frequently Asked Questions About Presta Valves
How Does a Presta Valve Work?
A Presta valve is a brass tube that is attached to a bike tire. It includes a rubber seal inside its wheel rim with an air release pin on top of it. Bike tires can be inflated or deflated by depressing this valve pin. Once you are finished filling up your tire, press the valve cap back into place to prevent leakage.
What Are Presta Valves Made Of?
They are made from brass or alloy with a nickel-plated finish that protects against corrosion and provides durability. This material also makes it easier to depress the valve when using an air compressor kickstand.
Do Presta Valves Come In Sizes?
They come in different sizes, which refer to the diameter of their cylindrical head and not its length like Schrader valves do. The size indicates how much air can flow through it at a given air pressure level before you need to re-inflate your tires again. Moreover, you may also use valve extenders, depending on the valve and rim size.
Does a Presta Valve Require a Special Pump?
Yes, you need a special Presta pump—just like you would need a Schrader pump for a Schrader valve.
However, you can use a valve adapter to fit a Schrader pump, hand pumps, and floor pumps. An adapter is also needed if you’re filling up your bike’s tires with the pumps at a gas station.
Do They Come With Replaceable Cores?
Presta valve cores can be removed and replaced after each bike tire is deflated. This makes it easier to clean since they are exposed more than Schrader valves when the wheel rim is removed from its hub. A valve core can be removed using an Allen wrench.
The good news is that if you do this by accident, a presta valve core can be easily replaced.
— London Cycling Campaign (@London_Cycling) March 20, 2021
But it's best avoided 😳 pic.twitter.com/m2G88q3HfN
How Often Should You Tighten Your Tire’s Valve?
A Presta valve needs to be checked regularly to ensure that the tire can hold air and maintain the desired pressure level. Tighten the valve as required before every ride as it can become loose due to the vibration from riding your road or mountain bike.
How Do I Know if I Have a Schrader or a Presta Valve?
Schrader valves have a wider head, while Presta valves have a smaller cylindrical head.
Presta vs Schrader Valves, Which One Should I Choose?
A Presta valve reduces the possibility of leakage through its long tapered pin, which helps maintain pressure for a more extended period. The valve cores are also more secure. Additionally, it can support higher pressures, typically up to 120 pounds per square inch, compared with a Schrader valve’s PSI range of 60-80psi.
It is also thinner and needs rims with a smaller hole. Thus, it is more suitable for bikes that have narrow rims. A Schrader valve will need rims with larger holes.
Does a Presta Valve Require Maintenance?
They only require a simple wipe down with a rag and some soap to keep them clean. However, If it’s taking you longer to pump air or the tire can no longer hold air, the valve may need to be replaced.
Pump Up Your Bike Tires with Presta Valves
Using a Presta valve to inflate or deflate your bike tires might seem challenging at first. However, now that you know what is a Presta valve and its many benefits, mastering how to use it is only a matter of time. And when you do, it can make your biking experience smoother.
The benefit of this valve system on a new bike is that there’s less chance for leakage and loss in pressure when you need to make adjustments during cycling. This is because it uses an entirely different mechanism than other cycling valve types do. It also makes inflating and deflating tires much faster.
Do you have more questions about cycling valves? Let us know in the comments! We will be happy to answer any of your questions.
