The SCHWALBE CLIK valve system offers a technically superior design with easier inflation and higher airflow than Presta valves, but faces concerns about durability, compatibility issues, and limited market adoption.
Pros
- One-handed click-on/click-off operation with no air loss during pump removal
- Higher airflow rate for faster inflation
- Backwards compatible with existing Presta stems and CO2 heads
- No top nut to unscrew and cannot be accidentally left open
Cons
- Valve core can break under lateral pump loads or when not fully seated
- Suffers from wear leading to small leaks over time and can clog with tubeless sealant
- Not compatible with all Presta stems (requires threaded stems, not molded-in valves)
- Difficult to deflate tires without special tool and insufficient flow for tubeless seating
Key Facts
- Uses a spring-loaded, manually opened valve core (not pressure-sealed like Presta)
- Internal geometry allows 25-30% higher airflow rate than Presta valves
- Valve head is wider than Presta but maintains same 6mm stem diameter
Reviews & Ratings
The reviewer provides a comprehensive analysis of the Schwalbe Clik valve system, testing it on various bikes including gravel bikes, road bikes, and Brompton folding bikes. He explains the installation process, compatibility with different valve types (Presta, Schrader/Auto, Dunlop), and demonstrates usage with different pumps including a Makita compressor, floor pump, and portable pumps. He concludes it's a significant convenience improvement despite not being essential.
AI Summary
Pros
- One-handed operation with click-on/click-off mechanism
- Universal compatibility with Presta, Schrader/Auto, and Dunlop valves using adapters
- No air loss when removing pump head
- Allows shorter valve stems (beneficial for deep-section/aero wheels)
- Easy installation - just screw on by hand
- Works with tubeless setups, standard tubes, and some TPU tubes (like Eclipse)
- Includes all necessary tools in the kit
- Simplifies household with multiple bike types to one pump system
- Particularly convenient with compressors for bikes hanging on walls
- Maintains downward compatibility - can still use old pumps with adapter
Cons
- Doesn't work with certain TPU tubes that have glued-in valves (like Tubolito)
- Can loosen when using hand pumps during vigorous pumping
- Limited availability of Schwalbe Clik-compatible portable pumps currently
- System isn't foolproof - could potentially fail or get clogged with sealant
- Requires carrying the small tool if you tighten beyond hand-tight for tubeless sealant refills
- Not compatible with car tires without using the adapter temporarily
Key Points
- System replaces just the valve head, not entire valve stem
- Two conversion kit options: adapter for existing pump heads or complete new pump head
- Works with tubeless valves - can replace just the removable valve core
- Schwalbe offers pre-made tubeless valves with Clik system (40mm mentioned)
- Allows significantly shorter valve extension than traditional Presta valves
- Includes special tool for removing old valve cores
- Small release button on valve for deflating (can use valve cap to press)
- Reviewer converted entire household's bike fleet including family members' bikes
- Cost estimate: €50-70 to convert multiple bikes (excluding compressor costs)
The reviewer discusses the SCHWALBE CLIK Valve as a new, recently brought-to-market valve standard backed by Schwalbe. They note that mountain bikers are often wary of new products, especially those that might complicate things or lock users into a new ecosystem, which makes some 'salty.' However, the reviewer finds the CLIK Valve compelling. They highlight its ease of use, lack of a top nut to unscrew, and the fact it can't be accidentally left open. The reviewer has installed CLIK valve cores on their cross-country bike for long-term testing. They compare it to USB-C, suggesting it's an improvement that may require adapters initially but could be better in the long run. Ultimately, they don't expect CLIK to kill off Presta valves anytime soon.
AI Summary
Pros
- Significantly cheaper than premium Presta valve alternatives.
- CLIK cores are compatible with all Presta stems.
- Does not require tools to install cores; can be done with fingers.
- No top nut to unscrew.
- Cannot be accidentally left open.
- No need to hold the pump head, flip a lever, or thread it on.
- Cannot accidentally unscrew the valve core when removing the pump head.
- No protruding tip to bend.
- Easy to use with gloves.
- Valve cap pops on and off.
- The reviewer finds it compelling and is testing it long-term.
Cons
- Mountain bikers are wary of new products and new standards.
- Patented and backed by a big company (Schwalbe), which can create ecosystem concerns.
- To get accurate pressure readings, you need a CLIK pump head or an adapter; a standard Presta pump head may not give accurate readings.
- The valve stem diameter is the same as Presta, making it equally vulnerable to damage in that regard.
- The reviewer is unsure how well the pop-on valve cap will stay on.
- The reviewer does not expect CLIK to kill off Presta valves soon, likely due to entrenched standards.
Key Points
- Recently brought to market.
- Backed by Schwalbe.
- A new valve standard, not just a new Presta valve.
- CLIK valves look the same whether opened or closed.
- Uses a pin to release air (like Dunlop and Presta, it opens if you force air in with a Presta pump head).
- Diameter is the same as Presta.
- Cores are compatible with all Presta stems.
- The reviewer has installed CLIK cores on their bike.
- All Presta CO2 heads will continue working with it.
- The reviewer uses an adapter on a pump to check pressure accurately.
The reviewer provides a detailed analysis of the SCHWALBE CLIK Valve system, which is a conversion kit for Presta valve stems. They explain its operation, comparing it to Schrader and Presta valves. The reviewer states it is technically superior in design, offering higher air flow rates and easier inflation with its specific adapter, but suffers from limited market adoption, higher cost, and practical issues like wear leading to leaks, difficulty in deflating tires, and incompatibility with some rims and valve stems. They note it is mainly sold online and adopted by Schwalbe in Europe, but not by other major tire manufacturers.
AI Summary
Pros
- Very easy to use (click on and off)
- Technically superior design compared to Presta/Schrader
- Higher air flow rate (25-30% more than Presta)
- Leak-free connection when new (with O-rings)
- Switching is dead easy (unscrew old, thread new)
- Acts as a deterrent against opportunistic tire deflation due to recessed pin
Cons
- Suffers from wear leading to small leaks over time
- Not easy to let tires down (requires a pin or screwdriver)
- Does not work with all Presta stems (requires threaded stems, doesn't work with some molded-in valves)
- Not enough flow rate to seat a tubeless tire easily with core in (requires high-pressure compressor or core removal)
- Can clog with tubeless sealant (though reportedly better than Presta)
- Expensive (costs about as much as a whole tube)
- Slightly heavier than Presta valve (marginally)
- Not widespread adoption (most bike shops don't support it)
- Requires a fair length of stem; risk of recessing too far on shallow rims
- If using a Presta adapter on it, it still has the Presta pressure equilibrium issue
- Marketing claims are not entirely accurate (e.g., 'compatible with any Presta stem')
Key Points
- It is a hybrid valve, similar to Schrader but with a pin like Presta.
- Uses a specific CLIK valve adapter for inflation.
- The valve core is spring-loaded and manually opened, not pressure-sealed like Presta.
- The valve head is wider than a Presta valve.
- The internal gap/geometry allows for higher flow rates.
- Mainly available online; local bike shops often don't stock it.
- Adoption is limited, primarily by Schwalbe in Europe.
- Does not have industrial certification.
- Can be inflated with a Presta pump head but fit is not ideal and may give rogue pressure readings.
The reviewer discusses the SCHWALBE CLIK Valve system extensively, focusing on a failure incident where a valve core broke. They detail the cause (lateral load from a mini pump on a non-fully-seated valve), the manufacturer's response acknowledging a design flaw and material update, and their personal decision to continue using the system. They explore compatibility with various valve stems and pumps, recommend specific pump setups to avoid future issues, and highlight the system's advantages.
AI Summary
Pros
- Increased air flow
- Ease of use (push-on pumps/gauges)
- Minimal air loss when attaching/removing pumps or gauges
- Fairly affordable upgrade
- Backwards compatible with Presta valve stems (a key selling point)
- The manufacturer (Click) provided a respectful and accountable response to the failure
Cons
- Valve core can break under specific pumping conditions (short hose, direct connection, many strokes)
- Does not interface well with all valve stems; may not seat fully, leading to stress on threads
- Unrealistic to expect all users to buy specific $20 Click-approved valve stems
- The only Click-specific mini pump from Lezyne is criticized as too small, requiring excessive strokes
- Requires careful pump discipline and specific pump setups to avoid damage
Key Points
- The valve broke at the threaded part where it interfaces with the valve stem.
- Breakage was due to repeated lateral loads from a mini pump, concentrating stress on the threads.
- The geometry transfers pump load to the threaded interface, especially when the core doesn't seat fully shoulder-to-shoulder.
- Click made a material update to the valve core mid-2025 to improve strength.
- Best pump setup is a right-angle adapter (like from Lezyne) with a long hose and high-volume pump (e.g., on a Silca pump) for strain relief.
- The system is praised for being backwards compatible with existing Presta stems.
- A Click-specific digital gauge is highlighted as cute, accurate, and causing minimal air loss.
Where to Buy
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