The different types of valve

The Presta valve (SV)

La Presta valve, also called French valve, is quite common in France. It has the advantage of being easier to pump and can be mounted on all rims, even those designed for Schrader valves. In addition, it has a springless nut closure allowing a good seal, to the point that some professionals consider the plastic cap unnecessary. However, it has the disadvantage of being more fragile than a Schrader valve due to its thin stem.

This type of valve is generally mounted on the wheels of sports bikes (racing, half-racing old French brand, sometimes trekking and VTC, hybrides).

The Regina valve

This type of valve is used only in Italy. Similar to the Presta valve, you have to unscrew the cap and the inner tube can be inflated with a Presta type pump tip.

The Schrader valve (AV)

La Schrader valve or American valve is recognized for its solidity. It is used on the wheels of cars, planes, motorcycles or boats, hence its other name auto valve. You can easily inflate a Schrader valve tire at a service station, which can be very useful. Simply snap the inflator into its spring-loaded closure. It has the disadvantage of requiring a plug to avoid obstruction (mud, gravel). It may also have more air loss if the shell is not tightened properly. Finally, the spring closing mechanism can seize. This valve is sometimes bent

This type of valve is generally mounted on most mountain bikes, bicycles sold in supermarkets and in general par many brands depending on the bike models.

The Dunlop valve (DV)

It is generally mounted on the wheels of city bikes of the major Dutch brands (Gazelle, Batavus, all the other historical brands like Union, Locomotief, Gouden Leeuw...), on the German brands, and on Dutch type bikes such as Raleigh or Motobécane.

Its tube diameter is bigger but its nozzle remains the same as the Presta valves (so this will not pose a problem with your pump).

The Dunlop valves or English valves are the most used in the world. They allow easy replacement of the valve mechanism, and very rapid air evacuation.

Valves with removable shells

Some valves have a removable shell. Dismantling a shell is necessary to completely remove air from an inner tube, to add anti-puncture fluid in an inner tube or to install a valve extension on wheels with a high profile. Find our shell remover

Why use a long valve?

A typical inner tube valve measures around 40mm. It allows it to be mounted on standard single or double wall rims, and to protrude to allow the inflation of the inner tube. However, some road bikes come with high profile aero wheels. For this type of wheels, it is necessary to equip yourself with long valve inner tubes (ex: 700 x 18/28C Presta valve 60 mm inner tube), usually measuring 60 or 80 mm.