WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A PRESTA AND A SCHRADER VALVE?

When you need to re-inflate your bike tire, you'll quickly come across a rather specific element inherent in inflating tires: the different types of valves! And yes, not all valves are the same, and while there are many sizes and styles to choose from, the two main ones that rule the bike world these days are presta and schrader valves! So what's the difference between these two formats? Is one preferable to the other? Which type of pump should you use? That's what we're going to decipher!

The Presta valve

The presta valve is the thinner of the two valves. With a diameter of 6mm, it is preferred by road bikes, as it fits more easily into narrow rims. It's also lighter, so it's favored by cyclists looking to save even the smallest gram! What's more, the design of this valve enables it to withstand high pressures: around 8 bars maximum. In fact, you can convert your presta valves to tubeless with our dedicated Tubeless Valves !

This valve is based on a small stem protected by a metal nut which screws onto the stem to block the air outlet. To start inflating, simply unscrew the nut on the stem, take out your pump, making sure that the fitting is compatible with the valve in question, insert it onto the valve (a sound of escaping air will come out), lock your fitting and start pumping! Be careful not to bend the stem when inserting the pump, as it may be fragile.

A little historical fact: the Presta valve was invented by... Zéfal! In fact, it was Etienne Sclaverand who created this valve and then registered his patent at the end of the 19th century. Sclaverand was the founder of « Établissements E. Sclaverand », a company bought out by Poutrait-Morin, which took the name Zéfal in the 20th century!

The Schrader valve

The schrader valve is wider but generally shorter than presta valves. At 8mm in diameter, this valve fits bikes, motorcycles and cars alike! This valve is useful because it can be used by conventional bicycle pumps, but also by most inflators, notably those found in gas stations. This valve is often the basic one on classic bicycles found in traditional shops or supermarkets, as it's easier to use. It's also found on a large proportion of mountain bikes under €1,000. It's also better suited to lower pressures: between 2 and 3 bars.

In terms of operation, the schrader valve also has a stem, but this is secured not by a nut but by the valve wall. It's the pressure itself that keeps the stem closed. When you inflate the valve, the stem will press against the nozzle of your mini-pump, allowing air to enter the tube and inflate your tire! Be careful, however, as the stem is in the open air, you'll need to use a plug to cover the valve, as there's a risk of obstruction and damage from debris (pebbles, gravel, mud...).

Other valves?

You may come across another type of valve: the Dunlop valve. This valve is quite old and less and less used. It's often found on draisiennes and children's bikes. The advantage of this valve is that it deflates very quickly, thanks to its rubber membrane which fills or empties with air inside the valve! Don't panic if you come across a Dunlop valve: it's compatible with presta pump tips, so you'll be able to re-inflate your tire without any problems. All you have to do is unscrew the nozzle from the stem, connect the fitting and lock it in place to let the air flow into the valve.

Which pump should I use to re-inflate my tire?

Now that you know the difference between presta and schrader valves, it's important to equip yourself with the right pump. Whether it's a foot pump or a mini-pump, Zéfal offers a range of accessories for re-inflating your tires, whatever the type of valve. If you're looking for a foot pump, opt for the Profil Max FP65 Z-Switch and its intelligent connector, which makes it easy to switch from a presta valve to a schrader with a simple slide!

And when it comes to mini-pumps, there's plenty to choose from. The Zéfal Switch Mini can do the same thing as an FP65 Z-Switch, i.e. switch from presta to schrader in no time at all. But if you're looking for a dedicated pump, the Zéfal Road Mini is perfect for mounting high-pressure tires, so it's ideal for road bikes. The Zéfal Mt. Mini allows you to introduce a high volume of air into the tire, which is what mountain bikers are looking for. Both pumps can inflate presta or schrader valves, simply by unscrewing the pump nozzle and reversing the connection, but their design makes them more suitable for one discipline or another!