For the previous century after which some, Schrader and Presta have been the dominant valve varieties in pneumatic tires, like these utilized in all genres of biking. Prior to now a number of many years, Presta valves have change into the commonest valve used on each the tubes and tubeless valve stems of most high-performance bicycles. These easy and low-cost little bits of threaded steel have change into ubiquitous, and realistically, there are most likely billions of them in use on bikes world wide.
To their credit score, Presta valves get the job executed. However, even when they work properly sufficient, the arrival and proliferation of tubeless bike tires uncovered a few of their faults. The restricted price of airflow by way of a Presta valve could make it tough to seat many tubeless tires. The slender gaps that restrict airflow have additionally confirmed to be liable to clogging with sealant, and the guidelines of the valves are inclined to wreck if handled carelessly. After all, there are workarounds to most of Presta’s points, and lots of cyclists could by no means even expertise them to start with. There are many folks completely proud of the established order, and that’s utterly comprehensible.
However as we’ve seen over the previous a number of years, not everyone seems to be content material with Presta’s “adequate” efficiency, and the “alt-valve” (copyright-pending) is having a second. One of many issues that I discover most fascinating about this valve revolution is the quantity of innovation and power being put towards such a seemingly insignificant side of the general biking expertise. However having used a number of of those Presta alternate options, I acknowledge that our valve efficiency and expertise can undoubtedly be improved.
Now, in case you’re among the many many who’re completely content material with Presta valves, don’t fear, no one is forcing you to alter. There’s near a zero % likelihood that any of those new alt-valves will miraculously take over and change into a brand new “customary.” However in case you’re keen to attempt one thing new to probably enhance your tire inflation expertise, you’ve received fairly a couple of choices, and there’s most likely extra on the best way. Whether or not you’re getting pumped or feeling deflated about alt-valves, right here’s an inventory of all of the totally different valves and adapters that we’ve written about prior to now few years, beginning with the newest.
Topeak TurboFlow
One of many newest valves to hit the market is Topeak’s TurboFlow. These are offered as a set of adapters that connect to Presta valve stems with exterior threads. Merely take away the Presta core, then thread the adapters on by hand. With its bigger diameter valve opening and pretty easy inner seal design, Topeak claims 300% extra airflow and a diminished probability of clogging with sealant. The design is strikingly much like the 76 Initiatives valves described under, however is a thread-on adapter reasonably than a full valve system.
With a threaded lock nut on the valve tip, we discovered ease of use to be roughly on par with Presta valves, given that you just nonetheless must lock and unlock the valve by hand every time. When it comes to airflow, nevertheless, these valves put the “turbo” in TurboFlow, and it’s a dramatic enchancment, whether or not you’re simply topping off your pressures or seating a tubeless tire. On the size, the set of Turboflow valves and caps was simply 0.3 grams heavier than the Prestas they changed. They retail for $35 a set, include a valve core software, and are extremely straightforward to put in. Bontrager sells its Excessive-Move Valve Adapters for $27, which seem like practically similar.
topeak.com
BBB CoreCap
Much like the TurboFlow described above, the BBB CoreCap replaces the Presta Core out of your current tubeless valve stems with a thread-on adapter (additionally obtainable as full tubeless valves). As much as 300% extra airflow and diminished probability of clogging with sealant are the said efficiency enchancment claims, as properly. Swapping them out can also be so simple as eradicating your Presta cores and threading these on of their place. In contrast to the TurboFlow, nevertheless, the BBB CoreCap primarily turns your valve right into a threaded alloy Schrader valve.
The CoreCap’s triple-sealed spring-loaded bleed valve is outwardly so efficient that it doesn’t require an exterior cap. This capless design eliminates a step within the inflation course of, and the Schrader tip ought to present comparatively broad pump compatibility. We discovered them to be very straightforward to get together with, whereas actually residing as much as their declare of elevated airflow. They’re additionally a tad lighter than the Presta cores and caps they changed, plus they arrive in a spread of anodized colours. The BBB CoreCap improve set sells for £15 / 17€ and features a pair of CoreCaps, two rubber washers, and a pair of color-matched alloy valve nuts. The entire CoreCap tubeless valves are available 40, 60, and 80mm lengths and promote for £25-32 / 30-35€, relying on size.
bbbcycling.com
Clik Valve
Clik Valves made a splash once they had been launched in the summertime of 2024, promising elevated airflow and a supremely user-friendly design. These valves rapidly racked up awards at Eurobike and the Taipei Cycle Present, and appeared poised to offer Presta a run for its cash. Like a number of of the opposite choices listed right here, Clik valves are offered as adapter kits and substitute the Presta cores in your current valve stems (full valves are additionally obtainable), and the conversion is fast and simple.
Whereas different valves boast “as much as 300%” extra airflow, Clik is extra modest, claiming a 50% enchancment. Clik’s greater promoting level is its user-friendliness. When used with a Clik-compatible pump head (or adapter), it’s merely a click-on and click-off affair. We’ve used them and might attest that they’re spectacularly straightforward to make use of; there’s no fidgeting with lock nuts required, no fragile tip to bend or break, and no pump head to thread-on or lever lock. The caveat is that to really take pleasure in the advantages of this technique, nevertheless, you really want to have a pump or pumps with Clik heads or adapters.
Happily, Schwalbe and Clik promote kits that embody pump heads or adapters. Plus, manufacturers like Lezyne and Wolf Tooth promote pumps and inflators with Clik-compatible heads. A set of Clik Valves prices $13; valves plus a pump head adapter value $17; and valves with a pump head value $20.
schwalbetires.com or clikvalve.com
Capless Pace Valve
We reported on the Capless Pace Valve (CSV) final summer season. The German model AIGO-TEC has been concerned with tire valves for roughly a century, and the CSV is considered one of its newest designs. Because the identify suggests, the capless design skips the step of fidgeting with a valve cap each time it’s worthwhile to modify your stress. As an alternative, it depends on a double-sealed design to maintain air in and water, grime, and contaminants out.
Like another designs, you take away the Presta core out of your current tubeless valves and thread the CSV on as a replacement. Along with the capless design being faster and simpler to make use of, the CSV reportedly affords a better price of airflow in comparison with Presta. Curiously, the CSV doesn’t seem like broadly obtainable but, with only one on-line retailer that we’re conscious of providing them on the market at €9.95. The BBB CoreCap is a really related system that seems to be a bit extra refined and compact, whereas additionally being extra broadly obtainable for buy.
AIGO-TEC.com
Muc-Off Large Bore
Muc-Off’s Large Bore valves may need one of many easiest designs within the alt-valve market. The Large Bore depends on a ball valve to open and shut airflow, permitting a straight shot for air to rapidly and simply go by way of. Merely twist the little knob/lever on the valve to open and shut it. With no core in the best way, airflow is claimed to be 230% to 254% higher, and there’s a really low likelihood of it getting clogged by sealant.
Muc-Off sells the Large Bore Valves as full valves solely in each Lite and Hybrid variations. Each retail for $50. The Large Bore Lite is designed for Presta rims and Presta pump heads, guarantees 230% extra airflow, and is available in 30, 35, 45, 60, 70, and 80mm lengths and 6 anodized colours. The Large Bore Hybrid can also be made for Presta rims, however to be used with a Schrader pump head, which boosts airflow to a claimed 254%. The Hybrid is obtainable in 30, 35, 45, and 60mm lengths, and the identical six anodized colours.
muc-off.com
Stan’s Exocore
As one of many leaders and innovators in tubeless tire expertise, it stands to cause that Stan’s would have an alt-valve. Known as Exocore, we checked it out at Sea Otter again in 2024. This multi-piece valve design encompasses a strong brass core inside. Whereas it seems to be considerably advanced, the concept is sort of easy. The sealing surfaces are within the higher half, exterior to the valve itself, which, in response to Stan’s, makes it nearly clog-free. The form and dimension of the brass core enable for unimpeded airflow, which, Stan’s claims, is as much as 4-5x higher than Presta with the valve absolutely open.
These are offered as full valves solely and are reportedly suitable with tubeless tire inserts. The design is claimed to be intuitive to make use of, serviceable, and engineered to work with current pumps and gauges, which is good. The Stan’s Exocore valves are available 4 lengths to go well with various rim depths. The common and medium lengths promote for $59, whereas the tall and extra-tall lengths are priced at $70.
stans.com
Funn FastAir Valve
Funn joined the fast-inflation competitors in 2023 with its aptly named FastAir Valves. With a design that appears like a cross between the Reserve Fillmore and the Topeak TurboFlow, the FastAir promised 3x the airflow in comparison with a Presta valve. Much like the Fillmore, the Funn valves have a core that runs full size with the stopper on the base of the valve stem. Just like the Topeak Turboflow, the valve core is actually a hole tube that permits a better quantity of air to go by way of it when open. Moreover, these are supposed to be clog-resistant, and sealant can allegedly be injected by way of the valve if wanted.
For no matter cause, the FastAir Valves are listed as discontinued on the Funn web site. Maybe they infringed on one other model’s design, or perhaps they merely didn’t promote sufficient to maintain them as a part of the product lineup. Both approach, Funn’s look on the alt-valve celebration was short-lived.
funnmtb.com
e*13 Fast-Fill
e*13’s Fast-Fill Valve is an fascinating choice in that it doesn’t attempt to reinvent the valve; it simply separates it. This design primarily divides the tubeless valve into higher and decrease halves with a threaded coupler within the center. The higher half homes a normal Presta valve in a “service”, which could be eliminated by hand with out instruments. When eliminated, the decrease portion of the valve stem is vast open, with a 3.5mm diameter, making it straightforward to inject sealant whereas permitting a excessive airflow price.
The 2-part e13 system mainly makes it very easy to take away and substitute the Presta valve core. As such, it stands out from the remainder of the alt-valve area by nonetheless utilizing a Presta valve however trying to make it extra user-friendly. The Fast-Fill Valves are available two lengths and 7 anodized coloration choices and retail for $26.
ethirteen.com
76 Initiatives Hello-Move No-Clog
The 76 Initiatives Hello-Move No-Clog Valve was among the many earliest hi-flow valves available on the market when it launched again in 2021. The valve design seems to be practically similar to that used within the new Topeak TurboFlow, with a easy, vast hole tube, inner seal/stopper, and threaded lock nut. In contrast to the TurboFlow, nevertheless, the 76 Initiatives is a whole valve system reasonably than a thread-on adapter. Regardless, the Hello-Move No-Clog claims as much as 4x the airflow of Presta, with no clogs, because the identify implies.
Becoming the multi-piece 76 Initiatives valves was a bit extra fiddly than the Topeak adapters, however as soon as on the bike, they impressed by residing as much as their identify with massively improved airflow and no clogs. They’re suitable with push-on lever locking pumps, however an adapter is required for thread-on pump heads. They arrive in black and magenta, 5 lengths, and retail for €23.50.
76projects.com
Reserve Fillmore
The Fillmore Valves made some critical headlines once they had been launched late in 2021. Improved airflow and clog-free efficiency claims apart, the $50 price ticket had folks shook and shaking their fists angrily the best way I do about gasoline costs. Past that lofty price ticket, Reserve’s declare of 300% extra airflow was one thing that might beforehand solely be achieved by eradicating a Presta valve core. Which is actually what Reserve did with the Fillmore.
Whereas it seems to be considerably much like a normal Presta valve from the surface, the Fillmore has only a skinny steel rod operating from the tip to a stopper/seal on the base of the valve stem. This leaves practically the total quantity of the valve stem open for air to go by way of, dramatically growing airflow and making it a lot simpler to seat tubeless tires. This additionally makes it attainable to inject sealant by way of the valve, and there aren’t actually any tight gaps or threads to get clogged with sealant. Ought to your Fillmore ever clog, they’re simply serviceable, plus they work with nearly all Presta pump heads.
We’ve been utilizing Fillmore valves for years and don’t have anything however constructive issues to say about them. No, they aren’t low-cost, however they carry out precisely as marketed and appear to final ceaselessly. They arrive in 50, 70, and 90mm lengths and price $50, $60, and $70, respectively.
reservewheels.com
ConvertAir
Taking it waaaayyyy again to 2019, ConvertAir was one of many first valve conversion merchandise that we reported on. Because the identify suggests, this straightforward product converts your Presta valves to Schrader heads. With the Presta valve core eliminated, the ConvertAir head threaded onto the valve stem. This technique seemed to be suitable with any externally threaded Presta Valve stem, and left you with a steel Schrader valve head as an alternative of a fragile Presta tip.
Whereas this technique was comparatively novel on the time, the alt-valve market has matured a bit since then. For instance, the BBB CoreCap seems to be a refined model of this idea, with a user-friendly cap-free design, lighter weight, and a extra polished look. We might be mistaken, however the firm that was producing these doesn’t appear to be in enterprise anymore, and we will’t discover the ConvertAir on the market, both.
Is That All?
There are many different valves obtainable, however most aftermarket choices we’re conscious of use Presta cores and comparatively simple designs. However given the speed of recent valve designs hitting the market in recent times, we’re fairly assured we’ll be including to this checklist sooner reasonably than later. Whereas we expect this checklist is pretty complete, we gained’t declare to know all the things. Apart from “my Presta valves work nice” or “we must always all be utilizing Schrader,” are there every other different valves that we missed?
