Best tubeless valves 2024: our pick of the top models for performance and reliability
[ad_1]
The humble tubeless valve is an integral part of any tubeless setup. It might just be a way to get air from outside the tyre to inside the tyre, but is it worth spending a few extra pounds to get valves that offer more than the basics? Whether you use performance tyres or endurance tyres, I would suggest that it is well worth fitting a decent tubeless valve.
In its simplest form, a tubeless valve is the same as a Presta valve on an inner tube, except that there is a rubber bung at the end that fits into the hole in the rim bed rather than being bonded to the inner tube. However, the valves on test here all have extra features that make them a step above basic valves, whether that is better airflow, improved construction, or even the inclusion of a handy tool or two.
Whilst most of these valves have removable valve cores for easier initial inflation (this allows air to be ‘dumped’ into the tyre which helps pop the bead onto the rim), tubeless setup is much simpler if airflow with the core in place is still sufficient to set the tyre in place.
The Filmore’s USP is a valve system that won’t clog and allows fantastic airflow for seating and inflating tubeless tyres. You will pay for this privilege though and you can only use Reserve’s metal caps with them.
Looking every inch a Chris King product, Peaty’s valves are beautifully made and come in a wide array of colours. The chunky looks are better suited to fat-tyred bikes though rather than skinny road machines.
A solid product that does the basics well, CushCore’s valves are well-made with metal caps, large locknuts and are, unsurprisingly, insert-compatible. The rubber grommet was a little tricky to seat properly though.
Lezyne CNC TLR Valve comes with a couple of neat features. The metal caps not only include a valve core tool, but also have a Torx bit on the top of them that helps tighten the valve in place on the rim. The locknut is large and easy to tighten, but there is only one exit channel for air so blockages are more likely.
A choice of grommets ensures a good fit to the rim and a wide range of colours help match the Muc-Off valves to your bike. Metal caps, valve core remover and slotted base add extra value.
Colour choice may be limited to black, but if you like deep rims then the Vittoria’s 100mm length might be just the thing for you. A valve core tool and a flat section on the stem to grip it might come in handy too.
For their Filmore tubeless valve, Reserve has used a different design to all other Presta valves, which they claim offers 3x more airflow and vastly reduces the chances of the valve clogging up with sealant. The pump end of the valve doesn’t unscrew but sits permanently proud of the valve with an internal rod that connects all the way through to the other end of the valve. When pushed, this shifts the poppet (disc-like cap) at the other end out of the valve, clearing the way for air or sealant. The design means that the valve does not have a removable valve core, but it shouldn’t need one.
In use, this worked very well. Not only could I pop the tyre onto the rim using the Airshot but I could also happily fill the tyre with sealant through the valve. The exposed ‘core’ of the valve does need protecting though, so the caps need to be used at all times due to the permanently open construction and the caps are a special design inside to accommodate the head of the core, so you need the specific Reserve caps.
Reserve Filmore tubeless valve
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
Adjusting air pressure using the Filmore is slightly different from a standard valve; if you press the end of the ‘core’ as usual, air is dumped out very quickly, making it hard to regulate – a clear demonstration of the valve’s effectiveness. So the correct procedure is to slightly unscrew the cap and tap the end of that instead which allows for a much more controlled adjustment.
The only negative I found during the test was that the black anodising started to wear off at the top of the valve after repeated inflation. This was more noticeable on the wheel with a troublesome tyre that needed constant top-ups, so it was clearly caused by my track pump.
Reserve says that the design makes the valve compatible with inserts if you are using them on your gravel or mountain bike. Only three lengths and one colour are available, and they aren’t cheap, but these are the easiest and best tubeless valves available.
Best for off-road
Peaty’s X Chris King MK2 tubeless valves
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
2. Peaty’s X Chris King MK2 tubeless valves
Best for off-road
Specifications
Available lengths: 42, 60, 80mm
Available colours: 12, to match Chris King products
Features: 3.4mm spoke key, valve core remover, 10mm locknut, all metal construction
Reasons to buy
+
Beautiful, metal construction
+
2 handy tools included
+
locknut with 10mm flats for easier tightening/loosening
+
Colours match Chris King components
Reasons to avoid
–
Chunky aesthetics don’t suit road bikes
–
Separate rubber O ring
As a collaboration between successful British downhiller Steve Peat and renowned American component manufacturer Chris King, these valves are a thing of beauty. With 12 colours available to match those of Chris King’s products, they are a very bling way to finish off a dream build, although the chunky aesthetics do lend themselves far better to gravel and mountain bikes than svelte road bikes in my opinion.
Part of this is because the two metal caps act as handy trailside tools, with a 3.4mm spoke key and a valve core remover built into them, making them larger than a normal cap.
Peaty’s X Chris King MK2 tubeless valves
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
Inflation was quick without needing to remove the core and the large bore size with four-way cross-cut channels should ensure no clogging and compatibility with tyre inserts. The large, texture locknut allowed for easy tightening by finger, but they also have a 10mm flat section so that if the nut does need more pressure or is difficult to undo, then a spanner can be used rather than pliers. On this subject, whether by luck or clever design, these hardly needed more than snugging up to create a good seal with the rim. There is a rubber O ring under the locknut, but this stayed in place well, unlike the CushCore version.
As you’d expect with CushCore’s primary business being tyre inserts, these valves are designed to work well with inserts. As well as the primary hole there are also large side exit ports that will allow airflow even if the valve is pressed up against an insert.
The locknut is nice and large for a decent grip but the rubber grommet that sits against the wheel rim was quite awkward to keep in its groove; sections of it would bulge out as I tightened the nut down.
The Airshot was able to dump sufficient air through the valve so I didn’t need to remove the core and the matching metal caps added a quality feel to the whole product.
Another nicely made valve, the Lezyne CNC TLR is well featured, with a valve core tool in each cap and a T25 tip. The T25 slots into the base of the valve, allowing it to be tightened more easily into the rim to create a better seal. At a push, it could be used for roadside adjustments on other T25 bolts if paired with a suitable spanner. Both the cap and the locknut are heavily knurled for a good grip, but there is a slightly awkward O-ring to deal with that sits under the locknut.
Lezyne CNC TLR tubeless valves
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
Inflation with the valve core in place was easily achieved but there are no extra egress points for the air, meaning that the valves won’t work too well with inserts and that clogging with sealant is quite likely to occur after a while.
Features: 7075 aluminum, locknut with 11mm flats, valve core remover, 6 air channels, alternative shape grommets
Reasons to buy
+
7075 aluminum
+
Locknut with 11mm flats
+
Valve core remover
+
6 air channels
+
Insert compatible
+
Alternative grommets
Reasons to avoid
–
Rubber O-ring needs care
The Muc-Off tubeless valves V2 differentiating factor is that they are supplied with three different-shaped rubber grommets for a better seal with awkwardly shaped rim beds. The standard grommets worked fine with my rims, but it’s a nice touch that could save some time and effort with some rims. Two standard metal caps and a cap with a valve core remover are also in the packet, which at the very least gives you a spare, matching valve cap.
Muc-Off tubeless valves V2
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
There are six slots in the base for air to exit from, making the valves compatible with inserts and much less likely to get gunked up with sealant. Although there is a rubber O-ring under the locknut, it seemed to stay in place better than some and didn’t cause any issues. The flat sections on the locknuts aren’t huge but might help if the nuts are stuck on.
With the valve core in place, inflation was easy and made for a very simple tubeless setup experience.
Best for length
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
6. Vittoria Multiway Valves
Best for length
Specifications
Available lengths: 40, 60, 80, 100mm
Available colours: Black
Features: Metal cap, valve core tool, 4 air ports, flat on stem
Reasons to buy
+
Metal cap
+
Valve core tool included
+
Insert compatible
+
Available in 100mm
+
Flat section on stem for spanner
Reasons to avoid
–
Small locknut
–
Only in black
I particularly like the ‘Vittoria’ branding on the side of the Multiway valves – a nice way to elevate a basic product aesthetically. On a more practical note, the small, flat section on the valve stem was a handy way to stop the stem from rotating as the locknut was tightened. The caps included one with a valve core remover and with four exits per valve, use with inserts should not be an issue.
Vittoria Multiway tubeless valves
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
There are four lengths available, including a very long 100mm for deep rims, but the colour choice is one Henry Ford would approve of; black only. Inflation took a couple of goes with the valve core in place, but was otherwise trouble-free.
Best budget
Stans No Tubes alloy tubeless valves
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
7. Stans No Tubes alloy tubeless valves
Best budget
Specifications
Available lengths: 35, 44, 55, 80, 100mm
Available colours: Red, black, orange, green, blue (35 and 44mm)
Features: Aluminium, large locknut
Reasons to buy
+
5 lengths
+
5 colours (in 35 and 44mm)
+
large locknut
Reasons to avoid
–
Only one port into tyre
–
limited colours in longer lengths
–
Plastic caps
–
Not insert compatible
Despite their basic construction and low price tag, the Stans No Tubes alloy valves allowed me to inflate the tyre through the valve, which is always a welcome occurrence and 50% of the valve’s job.
They are light on extra features and added value, but at the price, they certainly do the job. Although the locknut is nicely made and the alloy construction keeps the weight down, the black plastic cap looks cheap, especially against the red valves – I’m sure it would have been less obvious with black valves.
Stans No Tubes alloy tubeless valves
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
With only one egress point for air inside the tyre, the Stans valves won’t play nicely with inserts and experience says that they will be more prone to clogging than valves with more ports (although this hasn’t happened to them yet to be fair).
They do cost less than half of some of the options tested though, so are an excellent option for anyone on a budget.
Best basic
Tubolight tubeless valves
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
8. Tubolight tubeless valves
Best basic valve
Specifications
Available lengths: 40, 50, 70mm
Available colors: Black (all lengths), gray, blue, yellow, orange, red, pink, purple, turquoise, green (50mm)
Features: Side ports, 11mm locknut
Reasons to buy
+
Locknut with 11mm flats
+
4 Channel airflow ports
+
Insert compatible
Reasons to avoid
–
Plastic cap
–
Wouldn’t inflate tyre with core in place
At the more basic end of the spectrum, Tubolight’s valves only have standard plastic caps and don’t include any extra gadgets. They do have a nice, large locknut though that is easy to grip and also includes 11mm flat sections in case a spanner is required at times.
I couldn’t get the tubeless tyres to pop onto the rim through the valve core, although once removed, the Airshot quickly did its job. As well as the main hole, the valve has smaller side ports to help prevent clogging and so that it works with tyre inserts (Tubolight’s main product line). The conical rubber stopper formed a good seal with the rim, and no leakage was apparent. Perfectly adequate, but you might have to work a little harder to inflate your tyres and expect to have to clean sealant out of the valve occasionally to keep them in good condition.
Tubolight tubeless valves
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
Advice
Do I need anything more than basic valves?
The best tubeless valves aren’t going to make you go any faster or save you any watts. They aren’t even going to save you any weight in any meaningful way, with only a gram or two difference between them.
However, if you have ever experienced the frustration of trying to inflate a tyre through a clogged valve or the difficulty of carefully removing the pump and re-fitting the core without the tyre dropping off the rim then you will appreciate the finer points of the upgrades on offer here.
What features should I look for with a tubeless valve?
First and foremost, the valve’s job is to pass air through into the tyre. For tubeless tyre fitting it needs to let as large a volume of air in as quickly as possible to pop the tyre up onto the rim with a track pump, Airshot style inflator or compressor. Once the tyre is in place, then the valve needs to resist getting clogged up with sealant (whose entire job is to clog holes up…). Therefore, look for valves with multiple egress ports/channels – side exits also allow the valves to be used with tyre inserts if so required.
A large locknut is also desirable as these can often be difficult to undo after use. I particularly liked the nuts that had flat sides so that a spanner could be used.
Some of the valves on test cleverly include a tool or two, such as spoke key, valve core remover and even a T25 Torx head, but I think that these are firmly in the ‘nice to have’ rather than ‘necessary category – most riders will have these tools with them if they think they might need them and a valve cap is too easily lost to be relied on.
(Image credit: Tim Russon)
How we test
Tubeless valves have a couple of jobs to do; allow the tyre to be inflated rapidly enough to pop onto the rim and then hold the air whilst in use. The latter is a simple job, but the former seems to be less straightforward with some of the valves allowing air to be dumped from the Airshot through the valve whilst others needed the valve core to be removed which adds extra steps and complications.
The scores given take this into account along with any extra features on offer and general quality/bling factor.
