Bicycles

New one-click valve promises to revolutionize bike tire inflation

New one-click valve promises to revolutionize bike tire inflation
Clik Valve should be in stores as of the third quarter of this year, with a full kit priced at US$44.99
Clik Valve should be in stores as of the third quarter of this year, with a full kit priced at US$44.99
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Clik Valve can be retrofitted to Presta, Dunlop and Schraeder valve stems and pumps
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Clik Valve can be retrofitted to Presta, Dunlop and Schraeder valve stems and pumps
Clik Valve should be in stores as of the third quarter of this year, with a full kit priced at US$44.99
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Clik Valve should be in stores as of the third quarter of this year, with a full kit priced at US$44.99
A closer look at a full Clik-Valve-specific valve stem
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A closer look at a full Clik-Valve-specific valve stem
View gallery - 3 images

German manufacturer Schwalbe has revealed what it says will become the industry standard in bicycle tire valve systems. Known as Clik Valve, the setup is claimed to be much easier to use than existing systems, and to boost air flow by up to 50%.

Unveiled last weekend at Eurobike 2024, Clik was developed via a partnership between Schwalbe and entrepreneur John Quintana. He was inspired to invent the system after watching his children struggle with conventional tire pumps and valves.

With existing valve stems – be they Presta, Schraeder or Dunlop – the pump head is typically pushed down onto the stem, then tightened into place by flipping its locking lever.

That said, it can sometimes be difficult to tell if the head is properly and securely connected to the stem. Additionally, when the head is being released from the stem, its lever may hurt the user's fingers as it snaps back out. What's more, a considerable amount of force is often required to knock the head off the stem.

That's where the Clik system is intended to come in.

Its unique pump head connects to a corresponding valve using just a small amount of downward force, producing an audible "click" as the two components securely engage one another via a ball bearing mechanism. Releasing the head is likewise just a matter of gently pulling up on it, producing another click.

A closer look at a full Clik-Valve-specific valve stem
A closer look at a full Clik-Valve-specific valve stem

While Clik-specific pumps and tires are on their way, the system can also be easily retrofitted to existing equipment. On Presta and Dunlop valve stems, the valve core is removed by hand and replaced with a Clik core. On Schraeder stems, an adapter is screwed into place and then left attached (although it can still be removed when inflating tires at gas station pumps, etc).

Users can replace the head of their existing pump with a complete Clik head, or just add an adapter. It's also worth noting that regular Presta/Dunlop heads can still be utilized with Clik valves – users just won't get the satisfying click.

Clik Valve can be retrofitted to Presta, Dunlop and Schraeder valve stems and pumps
Clik Valve can be retrofitted to Presta, Dunlop and Schraeder valve stems and pumps

Schwalbe claims that when used in place of regular Presta valves on tubeless tires, Clik increases air flow by 50%. This means that a given amount of tire pressure can be reached with half the effort. Additionally, no air is released from the tire when the pump head is disconnected.

The Clik Valve system should be available in bike shops as of the third quarter of this year. Buyers can also register for updates via the Clik Valve website. There are a number of packages available, with prices ranging from US$12.99 for a set of Schraeder adapters up to $44.99 for a kit that includes two tubeless Clik valves and a Clik pump head.

You can see and hear the system in use, in the following video.

Schwalbe CLIK VALVE - The new valve standard

Source: Schwalbe

View gallery - 3 images
6 comments
6 comments
Trylon
Sounds great. I'm in. I have confidence in it because I've used and trusted Schwalbe tires for quite a few years. If this was one of those startups that are bringing new tech tires to market, I'd be leery. But Schwalbe has been around for ages.
zort
So you'll have to keep an adapter handy for if you ever need to get air at some random non Click Valve pump?
I'll pass on this one, thanks.
Rick O
I've seen air pumps that auto latch onto Schrader valves and then you press a button to release them. They're not common, but seems like an easier find than an adapter for this. I get that conventional valves are maybe not 100% the best valve, but they are still used for a couple reasons.
Username
They should have made it backwards compatible.
Trylon
Hey, zort. You probably already need to carry an adapter in many cases. If you have Presta tubes like all road bikes, gravel bikes and most mountain bikes do, you can't just roll up to a gas station and air up.
sleekmarlin
Awesome! I hate the current mix of valves. They make me swear every time I use them. Can it become the standard on cars too please?