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  "description": "The Presta valve is almost as old as the electric light bulb. It finally has some competition.",
  "path": "/review-clik-valve-deserves-to-win-the-market/",
  "publishedAt": "2026-03-03T23:40:44.000Z",
  "site": "https://escapecollective.com",
  "tags": [
    "_my favourite products of 2025_",
    "_patented technology_",
    "Subscribe now"
  ],
  "textContent": "Dave Rome\n\nThe bicycle world has no shortage of different valve standards for inflating our pneumatic tyres. Today, Presta rules the roost in performance bicycles, while the automotive-standard Schrader valve has become the status quo for inflating tyres on entry-level and utility bikes. Then, in some parts of the world, the old Dunlop valve is still seen for unfathomable reasons. Oddly enough, all three of these valve standards are approximately 135 years old.\n\nIn recent years, we’ve seen a countless number of modern adaptations to the Presta valve that aim to solve specific issues - often associated with improving air flow or preventing clogging for tubeless users. Each new valve has potential positives, but few have sought to improve the interface with the pump head. That’s where Clik comes in, and if you’ve read _my favourite products of 2025_, you’ll know I’ve become a fan, and it seems I’m not the only one.\n\nThis review takes a closer look at Clik valve, including how it works, who it’s for, and why I believe it’s deserving of being the next standard.\n\n****Highs:**** Simple push-on pump connection that doesn’t leak. Nothing to open or bend in use. Fits existing Presta, Schrader, and Dunlop valve stems. Can still be inflated with a Presta pump head (push-on type). Good airflow, works with shorter valve stems, and easy ownership.\n\n****Lows:**** Costly to convert if you own a heap of bikes. Clik pump head is not backward compatible with other valve types. Pressure gauge inaccuracies if not used with Clik pump head. Bleeding out air on the go is trickier. Rare slow leak if used with an improper pump head.\n\n****Price:**** From US$12 / £10 / €11 / AU$18 for a pair of valve cores. Starter kits, with pump head adapter, from US$15 / £12 / €13 / AU$22.\n\n## An intro to Clik\n\nInvented in 2019 and introduced to the market in 2024, Clik seeks to become a new valve standard that greatly simplifies the user experience – no valves to thread open, no tricky pump heads, no delicate stems to bend or break, no accidental air loss while shutting the valve, and no change to pre-existing valve stems. For Clik, you simply push the pump on till it clicks, inflate, then pull it off.\n\n0:00\n\n/0:12\n\n1×\n\nIt's that simple. Valve cap optional.\n\nThe Clik concept is best described as a new valve core design that threads straight into existing Presta, Schrader, and Dunlop (Woods) valve stems. Simply put, you should be able to easily install Clik valves on all your wheels without even unseating a tyre bead, so long as you have tubes or tubeless valves with removable valve cores.\n\nFrom there, an accompanying Clik pump head completes the system - with options available for attaching to common rubber pump hoses or threading into Schrader-compatible pump heads. One important detail is that Clik can still be inflated with most Presta-compatible pumps (just be warned that gauge accuracy may be affected), so you’re unlikely to be left stranded without a means of inflation.\n\nClik (left) versus Presta (right). The valve cores are interchangeable.\n\nI’d describe Clik as a convenience item where its simple use is the point. Presta valve stems are commonly bent or can become sticky. Presta or Schrader pump heads often leak or even blow off. And all of that happens after you’ve opened the valve. Clik, by contrast, is intuitive and a clear benefit to casual cyclists, kids, or those lacking mechanical ability. It’s also just a quicker system to use.\n\nIt’s fair to say that Clik’s entry to the market has been a success. What was first thought by many to be a partnership between Schwalbe and SKS has since been revealed as more of a design licensing for those two brands. Since then, the likes of Wolf Tooth, Lezyne, and Fumpa have also licensed the design with others expected to follow. Meanwhile, the USA-based Clik company recently began establishing itself as the spearhead in product options with a fast-growing range.\n\nA growing number of brands are supporting Clik valve.\n\nA pair of Clik valve cores to thread into your existing removable-core Presta valve stems start from US$12 / £10 / €11 / AU$18. Those valve cores with a dedicated Clik pump head adapter (plastic) sell for US$15 / £12 / €13 / AU$22. Clik also recently started selling multipacks of its valve cores for those with numerous bikes. And the options are plentiful from there.\n\n## How it works\n\nWhile you can buy Clik-compatible pumps, gauges, tubeless valves, or even inner tubes, the unique _patented technology_ is contained to the valve core and corresponding pump head.\n\nIn many ways Clik is most similar to the Schrader valve where a central pin is pushed down to open the valve. When the pin is not engaged, a small spring plus the air pressure in the tyre keeps the valve closed.\n\nPulled apart. A tiny spring remains inside the valve core body.\n\nHowever, there’s actually some clever design happening within a tiny hidden space. According to Clik inventor and founder, John Quintana, the “click” heard in using the valve is produced by two events happening almost simultaneously. “One is the tip of the valve hitting the end of the bore in the pump head. The other is the steel locking balls (within the Clik pump head) snapping over the radius of the groove on the outside of the valve and seating fully.”\n\n“What’s innovative about Clik is that the pump head doesn’t seal on the outside of the valve stem at all. Instead, there’s a small internal pin, what we call the inflation pin or needle, that passes through a tiny O-ring inside the Clik valve core while also opening the internal plug. Because we’re sealing on a much smaller internal diameter of the inflation pin instead of the outside of the stem, the forces involved are much lower. That’s why it takes very little effort to connect and disconnect, even at higher pressures (it’s rated for pressures in excess of 150 psi / 10 Bar).”\n\nA look inside the Clik pump head. You can see the inflation pin, plus one of the detent balls that snap over the externally grooved valve core.\n\nOf course, for all of that to work within tight confines, it relies on manufacturing consistency. Regardless of the brand on the box, the Clik valve cores all come from one manufacturing partner. “We have shared control of the design, material decisions, tolerances, and inspection requirements. Quality control is a big focus for us. The defect rate is extremely low, and we’re using some impressive inspection tech, including camera and computer-vision-based detection, to catch issues early.”\n\n## Installation and dedicated pump heads\n\nIf you’ve ever removed a Presta valve core (whether intentionally or not), you’re equipped to install Clik.\n\nQuite simply, installing Clik is a matter of confirming you have removable Presta valve cores, unscrewing them, screwing in the Clik valves, and then re-inflating the tyre. Got Schrader or Dunlop valves? It’s so easy I won’t waste words.\n\nFrom left to right: Dunlop, Schrader, and Presta Clik valves.\n\n### This post is for subscribers only\n\nBecome a member to get access to all content\n\nSubscribe now",
  "title": "Review: Clik Valve deserves to win the market",
  "updatedAt": "2026-03-06T20:29:17.504Z"
}