What is the difference between Schrader and Presta valves?
A Presta valve is thinner and made of metal the spring is actuated by the air pressure inside of the tube. Presta tubes are generally considered easier to fill. The Schrader valve is the same type as on your car tire. It uses an actual spring assembly to keep the air in the tube. Big advantage to a Schrader valve is that you can use a gas station pump on every street corner in America to fill it. This is not a substitute for carrying a pump with you, particularly if you have a mountain bike, as there are few Gas stations off road! How can I tell when a tire is sufficiently inflated? Most bikers are used to a certain pressure of the tire they are inflating. This pressure equal the “hardness” of the tire as it is inflated. I know this seems mysterious if you aren’t used to this, but it is a sense quickly developed. For road, you want the tire to be hard when you press in with your thumb. Mountain is different, as some like their tires “hard” and some run their tires soft. Every time that
