For a bicycle tire, there are mainly three types of valves:


Presta Valve

or French valve

Thinner and narrower than other valves (6 mm diameter compared to 8 mm for the others).
Has a knurled nut on top that must be unscrewed to inflate.
Provides better inflation accuracy and allows for higher air pressure.
More common on road bikes and hybrid bikes.


Schrader valve

or American valve

Wider and thicker than the Presta valve.
Has a nozzle similar to car tire valves.
No tools are required to inflate it, a simple air compressor is sufficient.
Less precise than the Presta valve and does not allow for reaching such high air pressures.
Most common on mountain bikes, city bikes and children's bikes.


Dunlop valve

or English valve

Less common than Presta and Schrader valves.
Similar to the Presta valve, but with a different closure system.
Less efficient than Presta and Schrader valves.


The recent existence of the "SCHWALBE CLIK VALVE" can be noted.