"For the past century and then some, Schrader and Presta have been the dominant valve types in pneumatic tires, like those used in all genres of cycling. In the past several decades, Presta valves have become the most common valve used on both the tubes and tubeless valve stems of most high-performance bicycles. These simple and cheap little bits of threaded metal have become ubiquitous, and realistically, there are probably billions of them in use on bikes around the world."
"But, even if they work well enough, the advent and proliferation of tubeless bike tires exposed some of their faults. The limited rate of airflow through a Presta valve can make it tricky to seat many tubeless tires. The narrow gaps that limit airflow have also proven to be prone to clogging with sealant, and the tips of the valves are prone to damage if treated carelessly."
Schrader and Presta valves have dominated pneumatic bicycle tires for over a century, with Presta becoming most common on high-performance tubes and tubeless stems. Presta valves are simple, inexpensive, and ubiquitous. Tubeless tires revealed limitations: restricted airflow can hinder seating, narrow passages can clog with sealant, and exposed tips are susceptible to damage. Many workarounds exist and many riders remain satisfied with Presta performance. An emerging set of alternative 'alt-valves' aims to improve airflow, reliability, and durability, driving notable innovation focused on valve performance. Widespread replacement of Presta remains unlikely despite incremental improvements.
Read at Bikerumor
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