Not sure what pram inner tube valve you have? Wanting to be 100% sure you’re buying the right tube for your stroller? Then look no further. Below is our quick guide to all the pram tube valve types there are.
The Schrader Valve
The short answer is there is one main valve type that fits most pram, buggies, strollers and joggers. This is known as the Schrader valve. Sometimes known as the Auto-Valve, Car Valve or an AV valve (AV meaning Auto-Ventil, which is German for Auto-Valve, aka a car type valve!)
There are others, namely, the Presta Valve and the Woods Valve. However, these are much more rare to see used on pram sizes wheels these days.
Within the Schrader valve family of valves there are the 3 key types you need to know.
Schrader Straight Valve
Exactly as it reads, one of the most common valve types is the Schrader Straight Valve. This type of valve sits cleanly inside the wheel rim, used on pram with easy access to the inside of the wheel. As a general rule of thumb; next to no 10” pram tyres use it, many 12” use, nearly every 16” pram tube uses it! A benefit of this type of valve is the price. They’re usually cheaper than the bent valve options. But beware, don’t try to save some money by assuming you can use a straight valve when you need a bent valve!
45 Degree Angled Valve
45 Degree angled valve or sometimes known as a bent valve. These are common in the pram tyre world. With a smaller diameter wheel comes less access to the inside of it where an inner tube valve likes to sit. This type of angled valve can be seen used in most sizes, however it’s mainly seen in the 12” tyre size. The benefit is it can still side inside the wheel, out of the way of hitting anything but gives that extra access needed for easy inflation. Beware not to use a bent valve if you’ve previously used a straight valve, always stick to what your pram, buggy, stroller and jogger came with from the factory!
Please note; the reference to bent valve is descriptive, not that the valve has accidentally been bent!
Also a 60 degree valve does exist, but for this example it falls into the 45 degree angled category as it serves a very similar purpose.
90 Degree Angled Valve
This valve type goes the full right angle to give maximum valve access on smaller diameter pram wheels. As a general rule; it’s almost the exclusive valve type for 10” pram tyres. The key characteristic is it literally points 90 degrees away from the direction it leaves the inner tube. It is worth noting the exit angle of the valve can vary. Some are perpendicular to the tyre, which is great for inflation access. However some need to be at a 45 degree angle to not point so outward from the inside of the wheel. If the wrong type is used on some specific pram models the valve can slightly clip the chassis or forks as the wheel rotates. However, we sell the universal option so when buying from us you simply need to know the general valve type when it comes to the 90 degree valve.
Still unsure what valve type you need?
If you're still not sure what valve type you need for your pram, buggy or stroller get in touch, we'd love to help. We've the biggest range of pram inner tube tyres to suit all makes and models of jogger, buggy, stroller and pram!
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