I remember that it was hard to find either a frame pump or a floor type pump for schrader style valves that would inflate a tire to any significant pressure. On the other hand, service station pumps, at least in my area, would go way above the safe psi for bicycle tires. It was very easy to overinflate the tire and cause it to explode. I usually went to the service station with my Dunlop tire guage in hand and carefully inflated the tire in increments to the desired pressure. I finally switched to presta valves so I could use one of the better floor pumps.
Paul Patzkowsky
Longmont, Colorado
> Date: Sat, 26 Dec 2009 12:23:30 -0800
> From: freitas1@pacbell.net
> To: classicrendezvous@bikelist.org
> Subject: [CR] Presta vs schrader extension of 700c vs 27''
>
>
> I wonder just how prevalant Schrader valve bike tubes were outside
> the US? I think stumbling block to non presta was lack of decent frame
> pumps that could inflate tires to higher pressures. Touring with
> Schraders created issues with gas station compressors only putting out
> low pressure and basic frame pumps being just that.
> Zefal HP was really the first frame pump in general distribution that
> had a Schrader version. There might have been French ''express valves''
> that would screw into your Zefal pump prior to this (AFA?) to allow
> Schrader usage.
> We redrilled many rims from Schrader to Presta (adding a Presta hole
> at 90o as I recall)
>
> BOB FREITAS
> MILL VALLEY, CA USA