Keep snapping Presta valve heads. Anyone converted to Schrader valve type?

DarkShadow · 14 Apr 2020 at 20:59

I've snapped a few too many heads this year and I'm getting really frustrated will the valves. Despite only opening it a little to reduce give, they're too flimsy!

I have a hybrid bike that has 700c x 35 tyres.

Has anyone experienced similar or drilled a hole to fit schrader valves?

Saytan · 14 Apr 2020 at 21:53

I've drilled a couple of rims out but only on mouldy old bikes I didn't care about. Being more careful would probably be a better bet

#Chri5# · 15 Apr 2020 at 14:32

I snapped a few Presta valves MTBing many years ago, so drilled out the rims. Went slowly and used a small file afterwards to get a decent finish. Haven't snapped one on a road bike though, even with mini-pumps that mount straight onto the valve without a hose.

Skillmister · 15 Apr 2020 at 14:57

How are you managing to snap them?!

DarkShadow · 16 Apr 2020 at 13:14

Skillmister said:
How are you managing to snap them?!

I pulled off the pump and off came the valve with it!

Skillmister · 16 Apr 2020 at 17:10

DarkShadow said:
I pulled off the pump and off came the valve with it!

Wonder if it's your pump? I've never had this happen

SexyGreyFox · 16 Apr 2020 at 17:49

I did do it on one bike I had because I bought 10 inner tubes all with Schrader valves so I just made the hole bigger.

The_Arbiter · 16 Apr 2020 at 19:54

You can still use presta even after drilling out the rim. Just use a decent presta rim tape to keep things snug.

Unless it was a carbon rim, drill away.

Also, take note high pressure vs high volume pumps may perform differently between each valve. But breaking valves is a real issue, pressure vs volume is merely a quality of life thing.

Drollic · 17 Apr 2020 at 10:44

DarkShadow said:
I pulled off the pump and off came the valve with it!

That's normally from over tightening the valve screw. Some are factory tightened and sealed on more than others. Schwalbe are better than conti in that respect from what I've tried. Just don't tighten the screw as much and you won't have an issue. The tyre won't loose pressure any more than it would over tightening. In fact, it's less likely to loose pressure as there's no chance of damaging the seal.

DarkShadow · 17 Apr 2020 at 23:07

Skillmister said:
Wonder if it's your pump? I've never had this happen

I am starting to believe this could be an issue. It's a decathlon mini pump and it sucks.

Deleted User 234324 · 19 Apr 2020 at 08:32

Go tubeless, that way if you do snap a valve, you can just replace it with another one

Berger · 19 Apr 2020 at 18:13

Dab of threadlock on the core of the valve if it’s removable.

Nothing worse than unscrewing the pump followed by the tube going instantly flat!

mattyfez · 21 Apr 2020 at 10:01

Some presta valves have removable screw in valve cores, I've accidentally pulled them out when loose before (you can just screw them back in) but I've never snapped one.

https://flic.kr/p/2iSLNT3

I've bent the really thin bit attached to the nipple once before but bent it back reasonably straight and it was fine.

I pulled off the pump and off came the valve with it!

Are you sure you're actually snapping them and not just pulling the core out as Berger said?
if the core isn't screwed in fairly tight, some pumps can have a tenancy to take the core out with them when removing the pump head.

Also what tubes are you using? Ive found big brand ones like continental, Shwalbe etc. to be more reliable than the really cheap tubes in terms of rubber/build quality - maybe the valves in some cheaper ones are more prone to snapping when in the open position.

Ok they are twice the price or more but I've not had bother with them, so are cheaper in the long run. Although I've had continental tube before where the core wasn't screwed in very tight from new so worth checking it's nipped up.