After decades of valve technology remaining largely unchanged for cyclists, some innovators are beginning to turn their backs on Presta valves. BBB Cycling has now entered the space with its new CoreCap, promising faster inflation, improved durability and near-universal pump compatibility, with up to 300% more airflow than traditional valves. It can be fitted to your existing valves or purchased as a complete tubeless valve set.
With tubeless sealant and higher volume tyres now even for road applications, brands are starting to rethink the traditional Presta valve.
A couple of years ago, Reserve introduced its Fillmore valves, featuring a coreless design claimed to triple airflow. More recently, Schwalbe has entered the space with its Clik Valve, aiming to make tyre inflation easier and more efficient through simpler attachment and operation.
BBB Cycling says that while Presta valves are effective, they are “prone to bending, clogging, and breakage due to frequent use – especially with tubeless setups”, so the brand set out to remove these “weak points” while retaining universal compatibility.
BBB’s answer to the evolving valve landscape is the CoreCap, a system it describes as a “new standard in valve technology”, compatible with both tubeless and tubed setups. It’s designed to eliminate the need to unscrew the valve core or rely on adapters, claiming to reduce the risk of sealant clogging the system.
According to BBB, the CoreCap’s internal construction maximises airflow, while its design is intended to “withstand repeated use and harsh conditions without degradation”. Tubeless fans should also be pleased, because the air flow rate is said to be 300% higher than standard valves.
A key part of that appeal is pump compatibility. The CoreCap is designed to work with standard Schrader pump heads found on most modern floor pumps, and at petrol stations, meaning tyres can be inflated almost anywhere without adapters or special fittings. Pumps designed for Presta or Dunlop valves are also supported.
“The CoreCap addresses everything that made traditional Presta valves frustrating,” says Roderik Jager, Product Manager at BBB Cycling. “No more adapters, no bending, no breakage – and you can even inflate your tyres at a gas station. It’s a true performance and convenience upgrade.”
Pricing and availability
The CoreCap comes in two configurations: the CoreCap AL Valve, a complete tubeless valve system, and the CoreCap Valve Caps Upgrade Set, which replaces the Presta valve core on most threaded valves.
The complete CoreCap AL valve set is offered in two colours and three lengths: 40, 60 and 80mm, priced at £24.99, £27.99 and £31.99 respectively, while the CoreCap Valve Caps Upgrade Set comes in six colours and costs £14.99.
We’ve called them in for full reviews here at road.cc, so check back soon for our verdicts.
For more information, head over to bbbcycling.com
21 thoughts on “BBB Cycling reckons its new CoreCap valve that works ‘with almost any pump’ will become the new standard in bike tyre inflation”
300% eh? Sounds like that
300% eh? Sounds like that came straight from a marketing blurb, produced by people who flanked maths – but who[i] do [/i]understand that a bigger number is always more impressive marketing. What’s wrong with saying it has (up to) four times the flow rate of the standard valve?
Did you mean flunked? Just
Did you mean flunked? Just never heard flanked being used and wondered if it’s a variation.
Sriracha wrote:
But did they piss their spilling?
‘Good Moaning’
‘Good Moaning’
I knew you were leaking
I knew you were leaking somewhere waiting to piss cummint! (behind the beak sheds?)
Sriracha wrote:
What’s wrong with saying 300% more? It means exactly the same as four times, as you note; why does somebody choosing a perfectly correct and accurate means of describing an increase indicate that they must have “flanked” maths?
Using a percentage allows you
Using a percentage allows you to be more accurate without using fractions or decimal points. If it was 3.5 times the flow rate then 250% is definitely easier to understand at a glance.
It’s important to write mathematics clearly with thought of the person who is going to read it, so I’d say that using a percentage here is probably better on balance even if they do mean the same thing. You could write 0.04 x 10^2 or 2✓4 and it’d be correct but hardly anybody would know what you meant.
I’m afraid I did flunk my maths A-level but I made up for it by getting a maths degree.
Quote:
How?
Having watched the video, a
Having watched the video, a presta valve pump will not fit the wider circumference.
I think the reviewer may have mangled the adapter kit reference to presta.
This seems like a highend
This seems like a highend presta to schrader converter.
What does it get me over plain old schrader itself apart from backwards compatibility?
With Clik you get a smaller pump head that’s push on/pull off without the need for the lever arm on a schrader pump head. That in itself is really worth it for smaller wheels where the spokes are tight like on a Brompton. Even on 700c though Clik is nicer to use than either schrader or presta.
So basically its valve cap
So basically its valve cap with a non return valve on the top? Presuming thats what the plastic central bit is?
I’m all in favour of
I’m all in favour of innovation – look at wonderful disc brakes! I’m looking forward to installing Cues, but I’ve not had much trouble with Presta, as long as you’re careful to avoid bending the thin threaded bit. However, this innovation is not directed at me as I am not interested in tubeless, hookless or carbon rims, so good luck to them. Presumably, at least one of these competing new standards will go the way of Sony Betamax
This XKCD cartoon seems
This XKCD cartoon seems relevant…
In the comments on the news
In the comments on the news story about the Clik valve being announced:
OnYerBike wrote:
So are you suggesting that the final panel in the comic should read:-
SOON: SITUATION: THERE ARE 16 COMPETING STANDARDS
?
Pretty much
Pretty much
Except that it isn’t a new
Except that it isn’t a new standard, it fits schraeder pump heads which are almost universal outside of road/high end mtb circles. I don’t see much point apart from tubeless but for easier seating and less clogging it looks promising.
I dont know why I would spend
I dont know why I would spend 25$ British pounds (plus) to put air in my tire when my tubes or rims already have one for free, thats been working since I was 10 years old and that more then 30 years ago.
More to the point, how would
More to the point, how would you spend 25$ British pounds?
This looks like a good
This looks like a good innovation.
I’ve been using Schwalbe’s “clik” valve for about 8 months now and although the valves work well the pump head converters seem to wear out with the result they don’t connect reliably. I’ve been through 2 in that time.
BBB’s system works with conventional schrader pump heads which makes things simpler on a lot of bikes albeit some people with Presta-only pumps will need a new pump.
Good feedback, I have not
Good feedback, I have not seen that before but it is a realively new system. Were the adapters becoming loose on the CV valve head and blowing off or the pump interface?