It seems there has been much effort over the past year or so to reinvent the wheel. Well, tubeless valves at least.

If it ain’t broke don’t fix it right? That’s the thing – the smallest part of most people’s bike does tend to break on a regular basis.

Bent Presta valves. Clogged valves. Leaking valves (definitely not good for tubeless).

I am willing to bet one or all of those things have happened to you at some point, normally when it’s really important that they don’t break, such as in the middle of a ride. There’s no predicting chance.

So I’ve been watching with interest as several companies have put forward solutions to these problems recently. Only one company has thought widely enough to have a tilt at the OEM market though, with everyone else contenting themselves with aftermarket sales.

Schwalbe Clik valve

The company in question is Schwalbe. They have have licenced the Schwalbe Clik Valve system that offers two interesting advantages. The pump head is secured with a simple push fit click onto a recessed valve, meaning there is no spindly Presta valve to snap off. Up to 50% more air flow is promised over Presta and Schrader valve systems which should result in faster top ups and plenty of flow for airing up tubeless tyres.

Clik valve inner tubes will be available, as well as a backward compatible conversion kit to convert any existing tubeless valve to the Clik Valve system (including an insert to drop into pump heads to make them push fit compatible).

I quite like this idea, but am willing to allow others to volunteer for the guinea pig role so I can be certain they won’t clog with tubeless sealant. If it works, it’s not inconceivable that a new de facto standard will replace the Presta system.

On the subject of clogging though, this is where other companies step in. I have had much trouble recently with both clogged valves and poor airflow while trying to maintain my existing wheels and tyres.

Other tubeless valve systems

Over recent years more and more tubeless valves – at least for MTB – have appeared that offer a better flow of air into the tyre as well as less likelihood of clogging.

I first noticed this trend with the Peaty/Chris King Mk 2 tyre valve but they were not the first company to this fight.

That may have been Reserve with their Filmore tubeless valves which use a much longer Presta style valve that opens and closes the air flow at the base rather than near the end of the valve.

With the Peaty’s, greater airflow is achieved simply by removing restrictions in the valve body and spreading out the air as it enters the tyre via a four way splitter, which should help air up tubeless tyres for sure.

It’s not a unique idea but does seem to be a good quality valve.

More complex is the e*thirteen Quick Fill Shrader tubeless valve option which enables the use of a Schrader valve head (normally an 8mm valve) on a 6mm valve hole.

Again, the air is spread on entering the tyre and the fatter valve body gives a bit more purchase to tighten the valve to the rim but the Schrader valve allows compatibility with filling station pumps and compressors. Maybe that might help air up tyres too?

Photo: singletracks.com

Next level valves abound. Stans NoTubes offer their Exo-Core which combines better airflow as well as the ability to remove the core without a special core removal tool.

The multi part valve is convenient and flexible enough to work with most pumps, but is designed to be more robust. The special valve can be removed entirely in an emergency to fit a standard Presta option or during tubeless set up (even with the valve in place it should allow 4-5x more airflow.

The Big… Bore

The title of Big Daddy of tyre valves (or more accurately, the Big Bore of tyre valves) is reserved for the Muc-off Big Bore tubeless valve, that allow up to 254% greater airflow by using an external lever-operated ball valve.

The Big Bore works a bit like the pipework isolator valves you see in home plumbing systems. Muc-off promise a even better ‘Ludicrous version’ with even greater capacity but in any case, each version should allow an easier tubeless set up experience as well as a much lower clogging risk.

I have had a mixed relationship with Muc-off (being uncharitable, there is no chance of their sealant clogging!) but would definitely be interested to try these Big Bore valves.

You can even add a universal aluminium ‘Hey Dipstick!’ to your shopping basket to measure your sealant levels, compatible with any existing Presta based valve on the market.

Broadly though, each of these aftermarket systems still rely on that fragile Presta valve. They often offer lots of colours to let you mix and match to your taste but the valve remains a weakness.

I have gone to the extreme of buying 10 spare Presta valves to carry with me in case I break one mid-ride and have been surprised to find I do get through them, as they stick or bend very easily.

With many different tyre valve solutions available from many different manufacturers, it really is a war out there… be warned though – some of these things don’t come cheap!

About the author

Matt is one of the founding Molefathers of the Muddymoles, and is the designer and main administrator of the website.

Having ridden a 2007 Orange Five for many years then a 2016 YT Industries Jeffsy 29er, he now rocks a Bird Aether 9 and a Pace RC-627.

An early On-One Inbred still lurks in the back of the stable as a reminder of how things have moved on. You can even find him on road bikes - currently a 2019 Cannondale Topstone 105 SE, a much-used 2011 Specialized Secteur and very niche belt drive Trek District 1.

If you've ever wondered how we got into mountain biking and how the MuddyMoles started, well wonder no more.