Common Valve Types
There are two valve types that have become market standard in North America and it is difficult to make any particular recommendation. The most important aspect is that the valve fits the rim valve hole and that an appropriate pump is available. Contrary to popular belief, major air retention differences are now a thing of the past. In any case, all Schwalbe valves provide excellent performance and are adapted to high-pressure use.
The Presta Valve (SV) is narrower than other valves (6 instead of 8 mm) and is always composed of metal. It needs a smaller rim hole and is therefore particularly well suited for narrow racing bike rims but is also common in tubeless setups. It is also approx. 4-5 g lighter than a Schrader valve.
Caution: Be aware that using Presta valve tubes on rims with larger valve holes (intended for Schrader Valves) often leads to a valve tear off when the sharp metal edges around the valve hole cut the valve stem off the tube.
A Presta valve can be locked manually with the knurled nut. Before inflating, the knurled nut must be loosened. First time users frequently have some problems. Also the thin top pin can be easily bent when attaching and removing the pump connector.
Should the Presta valve top pin become bent or damaged, it can be easily replaced with a new valve core. These are commonly carried at bike shops, and they can be easily unthreaded from the valve stem.
All Schwalbe tubes have removeable valve cores. This design decision, while slightly more expensive to fabricate, yields a longer product lifecycle for tubes.
The Schrader Valve (AV), which is identical to those found on automobile tires, can be inflated very easily at a filling station and is pleasantly unproblematic. Just as the presta valve, the valve core can be removed in Schrader valves if the tube needs to be serviced.
Schwalbe opts for a full metal valve construction for all of it's tubes, including Schrader valve types. This reduces the chance of tube damage at the base of the valve:
Finally, a new valve standard that Schwalbe is advocating is the revolutionary Clik Valve.
The principle of the SCHWALBE CLIK VALVE, winner of the Eurobike Award 2024, is very simple: it works intuitively with a click. What does it need? The valve and the corresponding pump head or pump head adapter. With the Clik Valve, this can be clicked onto the bike valve with minimal force and removed again very easily after successful inflation.
It doesn't matter which valve and pump you currently have - thanks to conversion kits for all existing bicycle valves and most pumps. To change the bicycle valve, simply replace the valve insert (Sclaverand, Presta, Dunlop, tubeless valve), for the car valve there is an adapter that is screwed over the valve (and can be easily unscrewed again to be able to use petrol station pumps).
The pump head adapter can be integrated into the pump head of current pumps (by clamping or screwing in), even with hand pumps.
The Schwalbe Clik Valve can also be inflated with normal SV (Presta) pumps - thanks to this reverse compatibility, you are never at a loss in any situation.
The Presta Valve (SV) is narrower than other valves (6 instead of 8 mm) and is always composed of metal. It needs a smaller rim hole and is therefore particularly well suited for narrow racing bike rims but is also common in tubeless setups. It is also approx. 4-5 g lighter than a Schrader valve.
Caution: Be aware that using Presta valve tubes on rims with larger valve holes (intended for Schrader Valves) often leads to a valve tear off when the sharp metal edges around the valve hole cut the valve stem off the tube.
A Presta valve can be locked manually with the knurled nut. Before inflating, the knurled nut must be loosened. First time users frequently have some problems. Also the thin top pin can be easily bent when attaching and removing the pump connector.
Should the Presta valve top pin become bent or damaged, it can be easily replaced with a new valve core. These are commonly carried at bike shops, and they can be easily unthreaded from the valve stem.
All Schwalbe tubes have removeable valve cores. This design decision, while slightly more expensive to fabricate, yields a longer product lifecycle for tubes.
The Schrader Valve (AV), which is identical to those found on automobile tires, can be inflated very easily at a filling station and is pleasantly unproblematic. Just as the presta valve, the valve core can be removed in Schrader valves if the tube needs to be serviced.
Schwalbe opts for a full metal valve construction for all of it's tubes, including Schrader valve types. This reduces the chance of tube damage at the base of the valve:
Finally, a new valve standard that Schwalbe is advocating is the revolutionary Clik Valve.
The principle of the SCHWALBE CLIK VALVE, winner of the Eurobike Award 2024, is very simple: it works intuitively with a click. What does it need? The valve and the corresponding pump head or pump head adapter. With the Clik Valve, this can be clicked onto the bike valve with minimal force and removed again very easily after successful inflation.
It doesn't matter which valve and pump you currently have - thanks to conversion kits for all existing bicycle valves and most pumps. To change the bicycle valve, simply replace the valve insert (Sclaverand, Presta, Dunlop, tubeless valve), for the car valve there is an adapter that is screwed over the valve (and can be easily unscrewed again to be able to use petrol station pumps).
The pump head adapter can be integrated into the pump head of current pumps (by clamping or screwing in), even with hand pumps.
The Schwalbe Clik Valve can also be inflated with normal SV (Presta) pumps - thanks to this reverse compatibility, you are never at a loss in any situation.
Updated on: 03/27/2025
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