How to Determine Your Bike Tube's Valve

All bike inner tubes have one of two kinds of valves, Presta or Schrader. Learn to differentiate between them so you'll know which type of pump you need to fill your tubes.

Difficulty:

Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bike Shorts
• Bike Helmets
• Bike Pumps
• Bike Tire Inner Tubes
• Bikes

Schrader Valves

1. Look at the thread on the outside of the valve. Schrader valves are threaded on the top half only.

2. Look at the top of the valve. Schrader valves have a middle pin surrounded by an outer ring.

3. Compare two different valves. Schrader valves are wider than Presta valves.

Presta Valves

1. Notice that the thread on a Presta valve runs the length of the valve.

2. Look at the top of the valve. A Presta valve has a movable nut that allows you to inflate or deflate the tube.

3. Compare two different valves. Presta valves are the skinniest valves.

Tips & Warnings

• Schrader valves are similar to valves found on car tires.

• You can buy an adapter to transform a Presta valve into a Schrader valve for easy fill-ups at any air compressor.