Best tubeless valves: our pick of the top models for performance and reliability

The humble tubeless valve is an integral part of any tubeless setup. It might just be a way to get air from outside the tyre to inside the tyre, but is it worth spending a few extra pounds to get valves that offer more than the basics? Whether you use performance tyres or endurance tyres, I would suggest that it is well worth fitting a decent tubeless valve.

In its simplest form, a tubeless valve is the same as a Presta valve on an inner tube, except that there is a rubber bung at the end that fits into the hole in the rim bed rather than being bonded to the inner tube. However, the valves on test here all have extra features that make them a step above basic valves, whether that is better airflow, improved construction, or even the inclusion of a handy tool or two.

Whilst most of these valves have removable valve cores for easier initial inflation (this allows air to be 'dumped' into the tyre which helps pop the bead onto the rim), tubeless setup is much simpler if airflow with the core in place is still sufficient to set the tyre in place.

The quick list

Best tubeless valves

Best overall

For their Filmore tubeless valve, Reserve has used a different design to all other Presta valves, which they claim offers 3x more airflow and vastly reduces the chances of the valve clogging up with sealant. The pump end of the valve doesn't unscrew but sits permanently proud of the valve with an internal rod that connects all the way through to the other end of the valve. When pushed, this shifts the poppet (disc-like cap) at the other end out of the valve, clearing the way for air or sealant. The design means that the valve does not have a removable valve core, but it shouldn't need one.

In use, this worked very well. Not only could I pop the tyre onto the rim using the Airshot but I could also happily fill the tyre with sealant through the valve. The exposed 'core' of the valve does need protecting though, so the caps need to be used at all times due to the permanently open construction and the caps are a special design inside to accommodate the head of the core, so you need the specific Reserve caps.

Adjusting air pressure using the Filmore is slightly different from a standard valve; if you press the end of the 'core' as usual, air is dumped out very quickly, making it hard to regulate - a clear demonstration of the valve's effectiveness. So the correct procedure is to slightly unscrew the cap and tap the end of that instead which allows for a much more controlled adjustment.

The only negative I found during the test was that the black anodising started to wear off at the top of the valve after repeated inflation. This was more noticeable on the wheel with a troublesome tyre that needed constant top-ups, so it was clearly caused by my track pump.

Reserve says that the design makes the valve compatible with inserts if you are using them on your gravel or mountain bike. Only three lengths and one colour are available, and they aren't cheap, but these are the easiest and best tubeless valves available.

Best for off-road

As a collaboration between successful British downhiller Steve Peat and renowned American component manufacturer Chris King, these valves are a thing of beauty. With 12 colours available to match those of Chris King's products, they are a very bling way to finish off a dream build, although the chunky aesthetics do lend themselves far better to gravel and mountain bikes than svelte road bikes in my opinion.

Part of this is because the two metal caps act as handy trailside tools, with a 3.4mm spoke key and a valve core remover built into them, making them larger than a normal cap.

Inflation was quick without needing to remove the core and the large bore size with four-way cross-cut channels should ensure no clogging and compatibility with tyre inserts. The large, texture locknut allowed for easy tightening by finger, but they also have a 10mm flat section so that if the nut does need more pressure or is difficult to undo, then a spanner can be used rather than pliers. On this subject, whether by luck or clever design, these hardly needed more than snugging up to create a good seal with the rim. There is a rubber O ring under the locknut, but this stayed in place well, unlike the CushCore version.

Best for inserts

As you'd expect with CushCore's primary business being tyre inserts, these valves are designed to work well with inserts. As well as the primary hole there are also large side exit ports that will allow airflow even if the valve is pressed up against an insert.

The locknut is nice and large for a decent grip but the rubber grommet that sits against the wheel rim was quite awkward to keep in its groove; sections of it would bulge out as I tightened the nut down.

The Airshot was able to dump sufficient air through the valve so I didn't need to remove the core and the matching metal caps added a quality feel to the whole product.

Best for tools

Another nicely made valve, the Lezyne CNC TLR is well featured, with a valve core tool in each cap and a T25 tip. The T25 slots into the base of the valve, allowing it to be tightened more easily into the rim to create a better seal. At a push, it could be used for roadside adjustments on other T25 bolts if paired with a suitable spanner. Both the cap and the locknut are heavily knurled for a good grip, but there is a slightly awkward O-ring to deal with that sits under the locknut.

Inflation with the valve core in place was easily achieved but there are no extra egress points for the air, meaning that the valves won't work too well with inserts and that clogging with sealant is quite likely to occur after a while.

Best for fit

The Muc-Off tubeless valves V2 differentiating factor is that they are supplied with three different-shaped rubber grommets for a better seal with awkwardly shaped rim beds. The standard grommets worked fine with my rims, but it's a nice touch that could save some time and effort with some rims. Two standard metal caps and a cap with a valve core remover are also in the packet, which at the very least gives you a spare, matching valve cap.

There are six slots in the base for air to exit from, making the valves compatible with inserts and much less likely to get gunked up with sealant. Although there is a rubber O-ring under the locknut, it seemed to stay in place better than some and didn't cause any issues. The flat sections on the locknuts aren't huge but might help if the nuts are stuck on.

With the valve core in place, inflation was easy and made for a very simple tubeless setup experience.

Best for length

I particularly like the 'Vittoria' branding on the side of the Multiway valves - a nice way to elevate a basic product aesthetically. On a more practical note, the small, flat section on the valve stem was a handy way to stop the stem from rotating as the locknut was tightened. The caps included one with a valve core remover and with four exits per valve, use with inserts should not be an issue.

There are four lengths available, including a very long 100mm for deep rims, but the colour choice is one Henry Ford would approve of; black only. Inflation took a couple of goes with the valve core in place, but was otherwise trouble-free.

Best budget

Despite their basic construction and low price tag, the Stans No Tubes alloy valves allowed me to inflate the tyre through the valve, which is always a welcome occurrence and 50% of the valve's job.

They are light on extra features and added value, but at the price, they certainly do the job. Although the locknut is nicely made and the alloy construction keeps the weight down, the black plastic cap looks cheap, especially against the red valves - I'm sure it would have been less obvious with black valves.

With only one egress point for air inside the tyre, the Stans valves won't play nicely with inserts and experience says that they will be more prone to clogging than valves with more ports (although this hasn't happened to them yet to be fair).

They do cost less than half of some of the options tested though, so are an excellent option for anyone on a budget.

Best basic

At the more basic end of the spectrum, Tubolight's valves only have standard plastic caps and don't include any extra gadgets. They do have a nice, large locknut though that is easy to grip and also includes 11mm flat sections in case a spanner is required at times.

I couldn't get the tubeless tyres to pop onto the rim through the valve core, although once removed, the Airshot quickly did its job. As well as the main hole, the valve has smaller side ports to help prevent clogging and so that it works with tyre inserts (Tubolight's main product line). The conical rubber stopper formed a good seal with the rim, and no leakage was apparent. Perfectly adequate, but you might have to work a little harder to inflate your tyres and expect to have to clean sealant out of the valve occasionally to keep them in good condition.

Advice

How we test

Tubeless valves have a couple of jobs to do; allow the tyre to be inflated rapidly enough to pop onto the rim and then hold the air whilst in use. The latter is a simple job, but the former seems to be less straightforward with some of the valves allowing air to be dumped from the Airshot through the valve whilst others needed the valve core to be removed which adds extra steps and complications.

The scores given take this into account along with any extra features on offer and general quality/bling factor.