Converting to Schwalbe Clik Valves

TL;DR – if you’re currently using presta valves with removable cores it’s very easy and relatively cheap to convert to Clik Valves. If you’re currently using schrader valves it’s easy but I don’t think it’s worth the money.

At the weekend I attempted to convert my 4 bikes (3 with presta valves, one with schrader valves) to Schwalbe’s new Clik system.

I started off with my bike pumps. Converting these was straightforward. My track pump has a clamp head with a slider to switch between presta and schrader valves. I slid the switch over to schrader, pushed the Clik adapter in and clamped it in place. Next I tried the adapter with my hand pump, it screwed on fine.

Next I started converting my presta valves (4 inner tubes, 2 tubeless). This was mostly very easy – unscrew the old valve core, screw the new valve core in and pump the tyre up. I did hit a slight snag when I discovered 2 of my inner tubes didn’t have removable valve cores – these were some very old Tesco own brand ones. So I’ve replaced one inner tube and will do the other one at some point.

Finally I was going to convert my folding bike, which has schrader valves. Unfortunately I hadn’t realised the conversion kit for schrader valves only comes with a single adapter (the presta ones come as a pair) despite being more expensive (£10 vs £6). So I’ve left that unconverted for the moment.

In terms of costs – a pump adapter with pair of cores for presta valves is £14, a pair of cores for presta valves is £6 and schrader adapters are £10 each. I think the Clik system is a significant improvement over presta and schrader. I think it’s well worth converting from presta, but at £20 per bike I don’t think it’s worth converting from schrader.