Tubeless valve and tire systems are almost universal in mountain biking now, very popular for gravel, and are finally gaining ground on the road too.
Despite lots of development when it comes to the best tubeless tires in mountain bike, gravel, and road, tubeless tire valves barely changed for ages. You could get different colors for matching other anodized components and different lengths for different depths of rim, but that was about it.
That was a real issue too, as it's much easier to get tubeless tires to inflate for the first time if you can get a lot of air into them quickly. Even the best tubeless tire sealant is also almost impossible to inject through the congested core of a conventional Presta valve. The only answer was to remove the core of the valve to make more space. That means inflating the tire twice though and potentially ends up spraying sealant everywhere as you fight to get the core back in.
The good news is that we’re now seeing a new breed of high-flow tubeless valves that make blowing up tires and filling them with sealant a whole lot easier. We’re also seeing a lot more valves that work well with protective tire inserts too.
With that in mind, our expert testers have put the best tubeless tire valves through their paces and can confirm that the valves on our list are better than anything else currently available. The Reserve Fillmore Valves are our top pick, with Prime Tubeless Valves being our best value choice. If you need more advice on choosing the best tubeless tire valves, skip to our FAQs at the bottom of the article.
Best tubeless tire valves
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The quick list
Best tubeless tire valve overall
Brilliant valve with super-fast inflation and no sealant clogging.
Best value tubeless tire valve
A bargain valve that's available in a great range of lengths.
Best fast filling tubeless tire valve
A clever design for easier airflow and faster filling.
Best tubeless tire valve for built-in tools
With 12 Chris King colors, tool valve caps, and a lifetime warranty.
Best for all-round performance
A decent performer in all departments with three valve lengths and 10 anodized colors.
Best tubeless tire valve for tools on caps
Great performance, plus both valve caps have a handy spoke key and core remover.
Best Schrader-style tubeless tire valve
Rapid filling, robust valves for standard Presta rims, but with the benefits of a wider Schrader body
Best tubeless tire valves
1. Best tubeless tire valves overall
We’ve seen too many ‘game-changing’ products not to have a degree of cynical kickback, but the Reserve Fillmore valves are genuinely brilliant and we’ve not heard of anyone who’s bought or tried them who doesn’t agree.
It’s a genuinely radical design too, effectively reversing the normal structure of a Presta-style valve but pulling the closing valve upwards using the threads of the valve cap. This gives masses of less interrupted space for air – and very importantly these days – sealant to gush into your tire. That means more air volume to jump an unsealed tire out of the center rim well and up to the sidewall to lock it in place. The sheer volume of extra air (Reserve says three times as much as a standard Presta and we're not arguing) means more chance that a tire that’s got a gappy fit will still swell up fast enough to make the leap rather than leaving you fighting with a wheezy mess that needs extra tape or endless massaging to get it in place.
The side exit end design is completely insert-compatible. The thicker rod makes it far tougher than a standard spindly valve core pin. It also effectively self-cleans internally as it operates so any sealant bogies are prodded out before they cause a problem, or you can pull it apart and DIY clean it if necessary. You can even partially undo the top cap to micro-leak air if you overshoot on installation pressure. And while it’s a shame if you lose the knurled metal top cap you can fit a standard plastic Presta one on and it’ll work fine.
The only downside is that they cost way more than other valves and only come in one color. The amount of time and stress our sample sets have saved us though, means we’d gladly put our hands in our pockets for a pair.
For more info, head to our full Reserve Fillmore Valves review.
2. Best tubeless tire valves for value
We’ve picked these Chain Reaction/Wiggle own-brand valves as the best value option because they’re a bit prettier and available in more lengths than really cheap ones on Amazon. In fact, with options up to 100mm they’ll fit deeper wheels than any other valves here – if you decide to go time trialing without tubes. That is a thing BTW, as Vittoria actually says its ultralight Corsa Speed tubeless tire is the fastest rubber it makes. But anyway we digress. The other advantage of sticking with the online ultrastore is that if there’s a problem there’s a more solid company to provide backup than might be the case with a random supplier.
The fully black anodized design also makes them look neater on most rims than the shiny silver finish of most bargain tubeless valves. The cores are replaceable for fast inflation/sealant filling and we’ve used several sets over the years without any complaints (until Fillmore valves came along) as long as you keep them clean. They're not compatible with tire inserts though and the shaft is only partially threaded. That means you need to pick the right length or you won’t be able to tighten the collar down fully onto the rim.
3. Best fast filling tubeless tire valves
These 76 Projects valves are another cunning ‘hi flow’ ‘NO CLOG’ [their capitals not ours – Ed] design that has flipped the standard valve design to liberate more internal space and easier airflow. They’re arguably even more radical than the Reserve valves too as the locking element is the part inside the rim. That’s because the top of the valve uses an enlarged bypass collar around the core that won’t fit through a conventional Presta valve hole. That gives it a claimed four times the airflow of a conventional Presta valve and again we're not arguing as it certainly makes a massive difference when it comes to popping reluctant tubeless tires onto rims first go. There’s plenty of space for flowing sealant once you’ve got the tire seated too.
The broad pin design is tougher than a standard narrow valve pin, but in the unlikely case of accidental damage the whole valve is rebuildable and spares are available direct from 76 Projects. The machined alloy valves come in three sizes for different depth rims and the latest versions are threaded all the way down so they don’t need spacers if you pick one too long. They’re also very light if you’re as rotational inertia-sensitive as Greg Minaar (he reckons he can tell if he’s got valve caps on his wheels or not while riding).
They only come in pink or black anodized though and only the shortest length is insert compatible. That means gravel riders using an insert in a deeper rim are out of luck. The big issue though is that the narrow length of the valve above the bypass makes it impossible for a lot of press-fit pump heads to grip on so you have to physically hold the head in place. That’s fine with some designs but a real juggling act with others. It’s a complete no-go with screw-on heads too so pump compatibility is a definite glitch in an otherwise clever, well-priced product.
Check out our full 76 Projects HI FLOW ‘No Clog’ review.
4. Best tubeless tire valves for durability
There are tons of colorful tubeless valve options out there – some of which are noticeably cheaper than Peaty’s, but there are two things that really make the Peaty's X Chris King MK2 stand out.
The first is that the valves have a lifetime warranty against bending, snapping, or cracking. That means whatever you manage to do to them, Peaty’s will send you a fresh set so you’re effectively investing in valves for life. The company will send you the same color as before though so don’t go vandalizing perfectly good valves in the hope the big lad in Sheffield will color match some fresh ones to your new bike. There are also service kits (valve cores, O-rings, and crush rubbers) and spare caps and lock rings available too.
Secondly, the 12 anodized colors (13 if you count the red, green, and gold combo of 'Rasta' parts) are all lined up with the anodized colors of legendary hub/headset brand Chris King. They also overlap with the electro palettes of Burgtec, Hope, and others too, and of course, you can just get plain silver or black.
The valves slide slotted to work with inserts but still have a straight-through hole for fast filling if you’ve not put an insert in the way. Another nice touch is that one of the valve caps works as a mini wrench for undoing the valve core (for faster inflation/sealant filling) and the other one is a spoke tensioning key. Oh, and the rubber rim plug sections are replaceable too.
Otherwise, they’re just well-made valves that work as well as any other conventional design and come in three sizes.
5. Best all-rounder tubeless tire valves
Muc-Off is best known for pink products so it’s no surprise its valves are available anodized in that signature color as well as nine other colors including SRAM ‘oil slick’ style. They also come in 44, 60, or 80mm lengths so they’ll match most rims as well as most colorways.
Additional neat details include a 4mm hex shape in the bottom for holding them tight while you cinch up the collar. They also come with three different shaped rim plug pieces so you can choose the shape that gives you the best fit against the rim.
All sizes get a slotted base that works with inserts so you don’t need to worry about your rubber rim protector making pumping up or deflating a pain. You get a spare valve cap with a core remover built into it and they use durable 7075 series alloy for strength. The collar is laser etched and flat sided so you can tighten it with a wrench but don’t overdo it or you’ll damage the rim/tape/seal rubber or all three.
Apart from that, they work pretty much the same as any other standard flow Presta valve design. Keep watching for deals though as you’ll often find them for sale at much less than RRP.
6. Best tubeless tire valves with tools
Juice Lubes have most of the features found on all the other valves in this guide, but also have the advantage of a cleverly made top cap that has a spoke key on one end and a valve core removal tool on the other. Peaty's valves give you the same handy pair of tools, but each cap only has one function – leaving you without one of the tools should you lose a cap out on the trails.
Getting a great fit is a doddle with three different shaped grommets to choose from and the fact that the valve base takes a 4mm hex tool which allows you to get a nice tight seal on the rim. With flat sides, the threaded collar can be tightened with wrench too, but you're unlikely to need to do that. Under the collar sits a rubber O-ring which stops the collar from scratching your rim.
The valves come in two sizes – 48mm and 65mm. Juice Lubes recommended rim depths are up to 30mm (48mm valve) and 45mm (65mm valve), the 48mm length is ideal for most MTB rims. We've used several pairs of the valves for over 12 months with zero problems and they still look great.
7. Best Schrader-style tubeless tire valves
While Presta valves have become the standard for bike wheels due to the smaller hole required in the rim, Schrader valves are less fiddly. e*thirteen's Quick Fills bring a bigger bore Schrader valve stem but are designed to run on Presta drilled wheels for the best of both benefits.
A removable Schrader fitting at the end of the valve gives a wider orifice for adding tire sealant. The narrower Presta width tube at the bottom of the stem means airflow won't increase when pumping though.
The only issue tester Graham Cottingham found with the Quick Fills was that it became annoying switching pump heads between Presta and Schrader for multiple bikes.
Graham summed up the valves: "e*thirteen Quick Fill Schrader tubeless valves are well made, easy to fit, and inflate tubeless valves for MTB. The durability of Schrader may come at the cost of incompatibility and multi-bike annoyance though."
How to choose the best tubeless tire valves
Can you get Schraeder style tubeless valves?
Unfortunately not. All tubeless rims use the smaller valve hole that only works with Presta type valves. However, e*thirteen have released Quick Fill Schrader Tubeless Valves with a Schrader type top and a Presta width base – so they will work with the bike wheels drilled with Presta sized holes.
Do all valves fit all rim shapes?
Some rim designs such as Bontrager still use proprietary shaped ‘feet’ to seal against specific rim or liner shapes. Now that most rims are wider though, most valves with a conical rubber sealing plug will work fine.
Why does sealant clog valves?
Sealant is designed to ‘scab’ together when forced through a small gap under pressure. That’s great for fixing punctures but it’s also great for gumming valves solid. That’s why we generally slop sealant into the tire beforehand rather than coating the insides of the valves with more goo than necessary.
Do I have to use a valve cap?
Most tubeless valves won’t leak as long as you’ve tightened the little barrel lock nut down on the valve core. That leaves a pointy metal end that can cause damage in a crash though, and Guy has a 35-year-old scar on the side of his knee to prove it. That means we always stick a protective cap on if we’ve got one.
Why do some valve caps have slots or holes in?
These are normally so you can loop them over the rectangular neck of the valve core to loosen or tighten it for removal/refit. Peaty’s valves have a spoke key cut out on their valve caps too though.
Why do some valve bases have slots in?
Putting slots in the base of the valve means the air can come out sideways. That’s vital if you’re using a rim protecting tire inset. Otherwise this can cover the inner end of the valve so it’s harder to inflate and can be impossible to deflate.
Do I need to maintain tubeless valves?
It’s definitely worth loosening the core on tubeless valves and letting some air out then reinflating on a regular basis. This lets you check they’re not too clogged or sticky when it’s easier to deal with, rather than finding out they’ve got gummed shut in an emergency situation. Check that the collars holding them into the rim haven’t worked loose enough to leak either. Don’t ever do them up super tight though or you can damage the seal/tape.
How we test tubeless tire valves
We've tested these tubeless tire valves repeatedly in the workshop and out on the trail, checking for inflation ease and speed. We've refilled tires with sealant via the valve stem over and over again to check for valve clogging and ensure there's no other valve-related tubeless system issues.
Meet the testers
Rich has been riding mountain bikes since the early 1990s and writing about them for over ten years. He's been testing tubeless MTB systems since they first became a thing.
Guy's been writing and testing for bike mags since 1996. He's been testing tubeless systems since they first appeared on mountain bikes and you needed biceps of steel (or a compressor) to get the tire to properly seal.
