Help needed regarding inner tube valves

[cvcalhoun]

I got a flat today. And when I went to REI, they said they didn’t have a tube that would fit my wheel. I’m trying therefore to order new tubes online, but am having trouble figuring out exactly what I need.

The problem is that a Presta valve is too small for the hole in the wheel. However, a Schrader valve wrapped in rubber, like the one on the left, is too large. What I need is a plain metal Schrader valve, like the one on the right:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14350[/ATTACH]

The tube that got a flat–which had the correct type of valve–was a Specialized. But I’m not sure whether all Specialized tubes have that design, or whether there is some particular model I need to ask for. Does anyone know?

Of course, the next question is why someone designs a wheel that only works with a tube you have to special order. But that’s a rant for a different day.

Topic

[n18]

I ran into the same problem and I was able to fix it without getting new tubes or drilling wheels. I was only able to get the top part in, part of the rubber around the valve was sticking out microscopically. I tried again and pushed hard, while trying to rotate the valve around, and it worked. Here is something for you to try: get an electric tape or a piece of paper or sheet of plastic, and wrap it around the valve, essentially making a cone like the following picture:

[ATTACH=CONFIG]14431[/ATTACH]

This should get the rubber part through the hole.

[Rod Smith]

@cvcalhoun 157614 wrote:

By preference? Or because that’s the wheels available?

Wheels available. My trailer wheels prefer Schrader. My pump has dual head. Carrying a 26in Presta spare and a 16in Schrader. Oh and running 26in tube in the front, 700c in the rear. Really should change that rear tube. :p Bound to fail at a bad time.

[Rod Smith]

Ive widened valve holes with a flat head screwdriver. One that is narrow enough to get part way in but not all the way. Insert and twist. Necessary to clean rough edges afterwards (de-burr).

[vvill]

So apparently I am still riding with Presta tubes in Schrader drilled rims. Re-discovered it today when I swapped in a different tire on my 26″ bike which I never flat on. I’ve been using the Wheels Mfg adapter thingy, but I can understand why you may not want to have to remember that for a trailside flat – it just dropped out when I pulled the tube, having totally forgotten about it.

[Author]

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