Schwalbe Introduces New Clik Tire Valves

Sometimes it feels like tire valves are cycling’s “better mousetrap.” They’re ubiquitous, and less than perfect, so there’s a lot of incentive to figure out a more elegant solution. But too often those “solutions” create more problems in the form of compatibility issues—an imperfect but established standard is better for consumers than anarchy after all.

I was first introduced to Clik’s novel valves at Sea Otter, and now Schwalbe has taken over the tech and will be producing inner tubes, and tubeless valves using it.

Why do we need a new valve type?

Clik’s founder, John Quintana started with a simple problem: his kids weren’t able to inflate their own bike tires. So he set out to find a solution that made it simpler to seat the pump head on the valve, and that didn’t allow any air to escape when removing the pump.

It turns out that any mountain biker who’s ever broken or unthreaded a valve stem with a mini pump, or fat fingered all of the air out of their tire with a stuck valve can relate to that same struggle. So the Clik valve is designed to be simpler to inflate, and allow more air through the valve (Clik says 50% more than a standard Schrader valve) to make seating tubeless tires easier.

But it’s not a new standard (mostly)

That’s all well and good, but for most mountain bikers, Presta valves work well enough that it’s not worth introducing another valve standard. Luckily, Clik isn’t. Instead, their valves work with almost all standard pump heads, and will thread into existing valve stems. No new parts, no new standards, no frustration when you have to air up at a buddy’s house. Clik does make their own pump head that should easily swap on to most pumps, but I haven’t found it necessary to install on any of mine.

In use

Because I am efficient (or lazy) I didn’t even replace my entire valve stem. Instead, I left my tire on the rim, unthreaded my Presta valve core, and threaded in the Clik valve core. Maybe a two minute job, that could have been done without removing the wheel from the bike. No swearing at inserts or trying to reset stubborn beads. Clik will also have options to replace Schrader valves in kids bikes or car tires.

Once installed, the Clik valve is really easy to use. Just push your pump over the valve as usual, until you hear the satisfying click as it seats. Pump away, and party on. I never had any issues with the pump not seating properly, or the valve losing air as I removed it. No broken valve parts, no frustration.

I especially appreciated the Clik valve when using OneUp’s hand pump. This pump is great, it moves a lot of air fast, but I’ve had issues with pumping and keeping the head seated on the valve with Presta valves at the same time. No such frustration with the Clik valve. The pump clicks on and off, and you go on with your life.

I haven’t had any issues seating tubeless tires with the Clik valves, and it’s great that they allow more air to flow through them without removing the valve core like on a Presta valve.

The one thing I have noticed is that it’s a little harder to release air trailside than with a Presta valve. You’ll need a sharp rock or a multitool to depress the valve. Not a big deal, but you can’t just use your finger.

You don't need to run valve caps with the Clik valve, but they will be available.

For now

It’s really satisfying to use small, affordable parts that make living with your bike easier, without adding major costs of complexities. The Clik valve does just that, and I’m excited to see where Schwalbe takes this tech. Clik valves will be available from Schwalbe for around $25 or directly from Clik for $35.