drilling rigida grizzly's for Schrader?

[bikerwaser]

planning to drill out my Rigida Grizzly rims to accommodate Schrader valves as i don't like Presta's. wondered if many others had done it and if there were any problems with regard compromising rim strength on heavy touring bike ?


thanks !

BikerWaser

[NZPeterG]

planning to drill out my Rigida Grizzly rims to accommodate Schrader valves as i don't like Presta's. wondered if many others had done it and if there were any problems with regard compromising rim strength on heavy touring bike ?


thanks !

BikerWaser

Hi BikerWaser
I have drilled out 100's of rims! (on motorcycle we drill and fit rim locks to stop tyres moving on rim)
1st off rim strength you rim will NOT be as strong after you drill your rim!

Big Hole less Meat  

Now drilling your rim to fit a Schrader valves!

1st you need a step drill bit.


Why? because when you use a standard drill bit into a Aluminium the hole can (will not be) round, with a step drill bit the hole will be round (and a little stronger).

2nd you need to drill your rim out too 8.5mm, Why? some your tube can move about a little when your riding. Also some Schrader valves are rubber coated around the base and this is the size you need to fit them through your rim.

Now would it do it to my rims?

No if it was to be cycle touring in the parts of the World that I can get presta valved cycle tubes

Yes if I'm off to say Africa again as there are very few presta valved tubes! But Note that the Schrader valve tubes are Not made to a high standard! so your better off ordering replacement from overseas when your running low on spare tubes.

Here is a great read about cycle valves http://sheldonbrown.com/brandt/presta-schrader.html

I hope this is of help to you  

Pete

Please Note I have been a Motorcycle and Bicycle Mechanic for over 30 years!


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[Danneaux]

Nicely done post and fairly presented, Pete; +1 to all based on my own thoughts and experience.

Best,

Dan.

[NZPeterG]

Nicely done post and fairly presented, Pete; +1 to all based on my own thoughts and experience.

Best,

Dan.

Thanks Dan,
I tryed to keep to the point 

Pete

[Rockymountain]

Interesting......I am wondering what it is about Schrader valves that the OP doesn't like. Is it availability of suitable inner tubes while on tour. Then I can understand the problem. If it's aesthetic or otherwise, I don't think I'd compromise the strength of what are excellent touring rims.

[rualexander]

I've drilled many rims to fit Schraeder valves, just used a regular dril bit, no problems, never had a rim fail.
I prefer Schrader valves to Presta as im my view and experience they are more robust as well as easier to find in 26" size.

[bikerwaser]

thanks for the info Pete.

the reason i'm thinking of doing it is that Schrader is more robust and also the availability of a pump (petrol station pump etc) if my pump fails. i know i can use an adaptor. i just don't like the flimsy flackyness of the Presta.

cheers

Bikerwaser

[mickeg]

I prefer Presta over Schrader, but in some areas without good bike shops, the only 26 inch inner tubes for sale are Schrader.  Thus, I wanted the ability to use Schrader tubes.  I drilled a pair of Andra rims and on a different bike a pair of Salsa Gordo rims.  I then installed the Wheels Mfg adaptors to use with the Presta tubes.  I put the adapter in before I put the rim tape on the rim, the rim tape holds the adapter in so it does not fall out and get lost when fixing flats.
http://wheelsmfg.com/presta-stem-savers.html

The rims are aluminum which cuts very easily, for one pair of rims I used an antique hand crank type drill instead of power drill to make sure that the rapid cutting ability of a power drill did not damage anything. 

Narrow rims are the rims where you could weaken the rim because there is not much metal there but the wider touring rims are pretty robust.  I have never heard of a rim failure at the valve hole but I have heard of rims cracking at the spoke holes, so I did not worry about weakening the rim.

[saddlesore]

I did my Sputniks with a flat head screwdriver, the large Park Tools one is the perfect size.
It's tapered so just twist away until the widest bit fits through and then schrader valves fit perfectly

[bikerwaser]

thanks all. drilled them with srandard 8mm drill the other day. all good !

thanks for the info !

[Danneaux]

Hi Warren!

Good news all came out well. You'll certainly have versatile rims this way, and can find a tube or pump of pretty much any kind anywhere to suit your needs.

Thanks for the followup report!

Best,

Dan.

[revelo]

Another reason to want Schrader drilling is to use Schrader tubes is if you use sealant in your tubes for  protection from goathead and other types of thorns and other punctures. All schrader tubes have removable valve cores, which allow adding sealant to the tube. Only some presta tubes have removable valve cores. Well-equiped bike shops in the United States will always have presta tubes, but they may not have presta tubes with removable valve cores.

[il padrone]

the reason i'm thinking of doing it is that Schrader is more robust and also the availability of a pump (petrol station pump etc) if my pump fails. i know i can use an adaptor. i just don't like the flimsy flackyness of the Presta.

When it comes to robustness and durability, what matters is the strength of your tyres. Use tyres with a reliable puncture-protection layer in them, like Schwalbe Marathon or Vittoria Randonneur Cross. Tubes matter little in this regard, as long as the rubber is of high quality, with no porosity or stresses that may cause splits. In my experience Presta valve tubes are generally made for the higher end of the market and tend to be more reliable rubber. As for the valve's "flackyness", I've used Presta most of my cycling life and have little worries with them. They have always been quite durable. Schraeder I have found to be harder to pump with a hand-pump, and more prone to losing air over a week or so. I went through a fair few years of using Schraeder on my MTB and, on changing back to Presta, this difference became very apparent.

Always carry a reliable pump. In 35+ years of cycle-touring I've never had a pump failure. Had one or two crappy ones that did not work so well, in the early years, but never an outright failure.

[NZPeterG]

Hi why run tube's? i'm running tubeless and havebeen for years..
It time to move forward and go tubeless..

Pete