Valve type on replacement tubes

[CyclingBlob]

I've not purchased my bike yet but am very likely to be getting the Carrera Subway 2.

Going through my list of all the items I'll need, one of those is a spare inner tube to carry with me. I've come across Slime extra strong tubes that have lots of good reviews when it comes to puncture prevention, and they aren't expensive so I thought I'd buy 2 of those and replace them in the bike as soon as I get it, keeping the original tubes as emergency replacements while out, just in case.

I've searched high and low, including these forums for which type of valve that bike comes with. There is nothing anywhere that states this. I know it'll be Presta or Schrader but even a photo and videos I've seen don't help.

I could get inner tubes with whatever the best type of valve is for a hybrid bike, which I THINK would be Presta, but I've read conflicting opinions on that! I thought I'd rather stick to the same type so would buy whichever Slime tube had the same type of valve as comes with the bike, but I guess it doesn't really matter if they're the same or not as long as my pump fits both.

What's my best option please?

[Jdsk]

I can't help on what comes with the new bike.

If you change to a different valve type be sure that it will fit through the holes in the rims, or be prepared to enlarge them.

Think through the whole process including how you'll inflate the tyres at home and when you're out on the road.

Jonathan

[Bmblbzzz]

It's not so much a question of "best type of valve for a hybrid" as what fits the rims. Looking at the photos on Halfrods website, it looks like Schraeder. But rather than get the wrong type, why not wait till you've got the bike?

[Airsporter1st]

https://images.immediate.co.uk/producti ... 1215%2C685

This photo (from Bike Radar review) and others all suggest schrader.

[531colin]

Do you mean tubes filled with slime which seals punctures?
There are downsides to this system, the main one being that the slime will clog up the valves, and even your pump.
Schroeder valves have the benefit that you can unscrew them and wash them out or replace them. Some presta tubes also have this facility.
If you fit slime tubes they will seal for example thorn punctures very well; if you then replace the slime tube with a plain tube you will need to remove all thorns, bits of flint etc from the tyre or they will puncture the new tube

[axel_knutt]

I'd just wait until you have the bike, but the Halfords page clearly shows a Schraeder valve. That said, if you want to use Presta you can fit plastic reducers in the rim holes. Some rims (such as my Mavic A719s) are drilled for Schraeder, and come with the reducers for Presta already fitted.

[nosmarbaj]

All else being equal, it's best to have all the same type of valve, whether Schrader or Presta, on all tyres. This is because of different valve-hole sizes as noted above, and also they use different pump fittings. Pretty much any decent pump will cope with either, but you may have to do some re-arrangement of the internals of the pump head - generally not difficult, but you might as well avoid if you can. (Many/most track pumps will have both fittings without any adjustment; portable pumps not so much.)

[peetee]

If you need to make a decision now then presta is your best bet. If the bike is supplied with presta, all well and good. If Schrada, then a presta valve will be fine if a stepped lockring is used against the larger rim hole. It goes without saying (but here I am saying it anyway) that a Schrada tube won’t fit in a presta-sized rim hole.

[Jupestar]

There is a reason Slime Tubes are not in mass use. They are an absolute PITA. 100% not worth the effort. I let a bike shop talk me into fitting once. I was doing London to Dover. Just outside Dover it punctured. And the mess cleanup and sort out operation to get going again took ages.

Then when I got home I had to do it all again... all green stuff in the drive chain seat, seat pack, frame. Caliper. Was basically a full rebuild.

Do yourself a favour when you pick up your bike, check the size and valve and grab a spare regular tube from Halfords.

Keep your tyres pumped up and if punctures becomes a problem then look for solutions...

[mjr]

All else being equal, it's best to have all the same type of valve, whether Schrader or Presta, on all tyres. This is because of different valve-hole sizes as noted above, and also they use different pump fittings. Pretty much any decent pump will cope with either, but you may have to do some re-arrangement of the internals of the pump head - generally not difficult, but you might as well avoid if you can. (Many/most track pumps will have both fittings without any adjustment; portable pumps not so much.)

I have Presta valves in narrower wheels and Woods valves in wider ones. Woods fit through the same rim holes as Schrader, but are a better, spring-free design (at least the ball bearing valve ones like Schwalbe and Impac!) and take the same pump head as Presta. There's also no pin for clumsy pumpers to bend like on Presta.

[TrevA]

Best to go with puncture resistant tyres than slime tubes. You are then stopping the problem at source. If you are not too bothered about going fast, then Schwalbe Marathon Plus are pretty bombproof.

[CyclingBlob]

Thanks everyone for your helpful replies. I have a lot to respond to so I'll try and do it all in one.

The "slime" tubes I was referring to were these:
https://www.halfords.com/cycling/bike-p ... 4wLjAuMA..

I did look into tubeless tyres but didn't think I'd want all that bother and mess, hence considering the Slime self-sealing tubes with normal tyres.

I have read quite a few posts around the Internet about the tubes I linked to, some from review websites, and the general consensus seems to be that they're very good. The odd mess made, but overall people are happy with them. So I appreciate the conflicting opinions here and will have a re-think. One of you mentioned more puncture resistant tyres (the Kenda ones with the bike are supposed to be at least somewhat puncture resistant). So maybe I'll go with the cheaper tubes as spares, leave the bike with the ones it came with, and see how things go. Then when I need new tyres I can go with more puncture resistant ones instead but stick with regular tubes.

Most of you said they look like Schrader valves, but I won't order anything until I know. I didn't realise the rims would need to be different too so obviously I'm glad that was pointed out.

The reason I want to get everything first is because I can't afford the bike yet, but can afford all the extras I need. So my plan is to get everything ready before the bike arrives so I don't have to wait to ride it until I have everything else, which may not be in stock when I'm ready. I've already ordered several items but a few things left will be from Halfords. So I think I'll pop in there to buy those bits and while there ask them about those valves.

I can cope with the odd puncture but it's just one more thing I'm worried about. Getting into cycling is scary for me and I want it to be as stress-free as possible. However, in typical Geoff fashion, I'm over-thinking and tying myself in knots! The help you've all given me so far in this and other threads has been invaluable.

[PH]

I can cope with the odd puncture but it's just one more thing I'm worried about.

The unknown is always stressful, better to turn it into the known rather than try and avoid it.
Get a decent pump, like a Topeak Morph, some good quality levers, practice a couple of times at home and a puncture becomes a minor inconvenience rather than something to worry about.

I tried Slime tubes when I was cycling a time critical commute, they were OK, I could see where they'd stopped a couple of punctures, but when the rear was beaten, it made a right mess. I swapped to Marathon +, but I'd only recommend them if the delay of a puncture really did matter.

Are you getting a discount at Halfords? They used to give a discount on accessories when bought with a new bike, worth asking if they still do. I can't see anything on the website, but sometimes branches have their own offers.

[Jdsk]

I can cope with the odd puncture but it's just one more thing I'm worried about.

The unknown is always stressful, better to turn it into the known rather than try and avoid it.
Get a decent pump, like a Topeak Morph, some good quality levers, practice a couple of times at home and a puncture becomes a minor inconvenience rather than something to worry about.
...

Wise words. A few practice runs will increase both your skill and your confidence.

Jonathan

[mjr]

I'd suggest practising getting part of the tube out for patching without removing the wheel and using instant patches, for the fastest temporary fixes.

Despite what's written above, I do carry a sealant can, for those times when it's too wet or cold to use patches and you don't want to hang around replacing the tube. When it works, it's wonderful, but as others note, it's messy when it doesn't work.