BikeBiz Bicycle and cycling retail news
Schwalbe has presented “a revolution” for bicycle valves with the Schwalbe Clik Valve (SCV).
The product has the potential to become the new industry standard in the medium term thanks to it tackling a problem which has stood for more than 100 years.
John Quintana‘s aim when he invented the system was for his children to be able to inflate their own
bicycle tyres.
He was annoyed by the fact that it was simply too complicated for them with the “old” valves (both technically and for reasons of space on the children‘s bike).
Quintana tried out prototypes of the click system with his children, who became enthusiastic testers.
In contrast to Presta, Dunlop or Schrader valves, inflating bicycle tyres is made easier by the SCV thanks to an intuitive click system.
The associated pump head can be clicked onto the valve with little force and removed again easily after successful inflating. The entire operation is possible with just two fingers.
According to Schwalbe, there is no longer any risk of air loss, and signs of wear on the pump head are a thing of the past.
This is because the function of the pump head remains constant (with other pumps it deteriorates with time/use).
For tubeless use, the Schwalbe Clik Valve offers another additional advantage, as the air flow rate is
50% higher compared to the previously used SV valve.
As a first step, Schwalbe offers conversion kits for all existing valves and most pumps.
The conversion kit includes the pump head adapter or pump head (depending on your choice) as well as a newly-designed dust cap.
As a leading manufacturer of bicycle accessories, SKS will already be offering its own pump at Eurobike.
Other pump manufacturers will follow.
Schwalbe will also soon be producing its first tubes with the new Clik Valve.
