Riding a mountain bike or road bike tubeless has some serious advantages. The most obvious win is the significant wheel weight reduction that they provide. The tubeless setup also dramatically improves the traction, speed, balance, and puncture resistance.
Tubeless valves are one of the most critical components of a tubeless setup. Stock tire valves that simply refuse to seal tightly and get clogged up with sealant are a waste of time.
By investing in a reliable tubeless valve stem, you will be able to run a tubeless setup effortlessly on your bike.
What We Will Cover
Round Up: The Best Tubeless Valve Stems
We have spent hours scouring the web to find the most durable, easy-to-use tubeless valve stems for your tubeless setup.
After a thorough filtering, we have come up with 6 tubeless valve stems that offer a tight seal, have the right size for standard and large wheel rims, and removable cores.
Before we go all geeky about it, here’s a quick summary of our top picks to give you a head start:
Best Overall Tubeless Valve
Muc Off Tubeless Presta Valves with Integrated Valve Core Removal Tool
Strong Runner-up Tubeless Valve
MBP Alloy Tubeless 40mm Bicycle Presta Valve Stems
Best Overall Tubeless Valve
Muc Off Tubeless Presta Valves
- GOING TUBELESS?: Compatible with most tubeless ready wheels and tyres, these valves are the ultimate companion for keeping your rims looking fresh AF.
- NO MORE LEAKS: We know how frustrating it can be to have a leaky tubeless valve, so we’ve designed these premium aluminium valves to prevent leaks and keep flat tyres at bay.
- EASY TO FIT: Muc-Off Tubeless Presta Valves come with a 4mm machined allen key slot for simple installation and an integrated valve core removal tool so that you can easily fill up with tubeless sealant.
Muc Off aluminum valve stems are top-of-the-line stuff with their super tight seal, universal fit, and ease of use. It comes in two sizes- 40 mm, which is the standard, and 60 mm. It’s not easy to find a tubeless valve stem that’s longer than the standard 40 mm.
Muc Off comes with a huge assortment of rubber seals, making it compatible with various rim bed shapes. Having multiple seal options means you can use these valve stems on any set of tires you want.
To achieve a tight, all you have to do is choose the correct adapter depending on the shape of the rim bed.
You can use your good old hand and the included 4 mm Allen key to ensure a secure fit on the rim. Each valve also features a small o-ring that keeps the threaded lock nut nice and tight.
Thanks to the removable core (integrated into the dust cap), you can effortlessly fill up the tires with air and seamlessly run the tubeless setup on your MTB. You don’t need any special air pump to fill up the tire. A standard Presta valve pump will do the trick.
As for the build quality, Muc Off valve stems are undeniably sturdy. Both the valve caps and stems are sculpted from 6061 anodized aluminum. The wide array of color options will allow you to find the perfect match for your custom build tubeless tire setup.
Pros
- O-ring ensures a super tight seal, no leakage of air or sealant
- Multiple rubber seals to fit various rim types
- Has a core remover built into the valve cap
- Built-in valve core removal tool
- Easy to install
Cons
- A bit expensive
Strong Runner-up Tubeless Valve
MBP Alloy Tubeless 40mm Presta Valves
- ✅ Valve type: Presta. Length: 40mm.
- ✅ RVC (Removable Valve Core).
- ✅ Lightweight alloy construction, including cap.
- ✅ Mountain or Road Compatible.
- ✅ Includes 2 Grommet bases for each valve to accomodate almost all rim types.
I understand why some people won’t like to spend top dollars on Muc Off valves right away. If you are new to the world of tubeless wire setup and want something affordable and super easy to install, MBP would be the way to go.
The valve, the cap, and the core are made of high-quality aluminum alloy, making it robust yet lightweight at the same time. It comes with two extra-wide rubber grommet bases to fit a wide variety of rim designs.
Both the tapered rounded and square grommets fit nicely to the wheel and show zero signs of wear and tear after multiple reinstallations. These will fit any tubeless rim width as long as it has a Presta valve size hole in it.
So rim width is irrelevant here. 40mm valve stem length will serve most mountain bikes and road bikes. However, for 50mm rims, you will definitely need either a 60mm or 80mm valve stem.
The valve stems are integrated with two o-rings to ensure an uncompromising seal. The o-ring behind the nut is a smart little addition that helps to tightly seal the rim sides and keep the nut stay in place.
The o-rings are of the standard size, meaning they are easily replaceable on demand. Although the nut can be hand-tightened, the sides have been flattened to fit a small wrench on it, if necessary.
RVC or removable valve core is another big plus of these valve stems. You will need a Presta valve core tool to remove the core. If that’s not readily available, a 12 gauge spoke wrench will also work just fine.
Injecting the sealant into the tire through the stem is really easy as the syringe will dig deep into the stem, thanks to the removable core.
Pros
- Easy setup, ideal for someone who changes the rims frequently.
- Both the core and the O-rings are easily replaceable for long-lasting performance.
- Bar and cone-shaped wide grommet bases for a secure fit.
- Provides an excellent seal.
- All the parts, including the caps, are made of metal.
Cons
- Not suitable for skinny rims.
Best High End Tubeless Valve
BWSHLF Gray Tubeless Presta Valve Stem
- Super Light & Anti-rust: Made of lightweight anodized aluminum, our tubeless presta valve stem is not only lightweight but also anti-rust.
- Superior Seal: With a removable valve cover, O-ring, and lock nut. The large soft rubber base can easily form an airtight seal on the valve hole with a diameter of not more than 8MM, ensuring that the nut can be tightened and protecting the rim.
- Removable Valve Core: The valve core is a removable cover, our valve comes standard with an integrated valve core-removable cover and two other covers as spare parts, which can help you remove the core and easily fill the sealant.
They secure nicely to the rim and getting tubeless sealant in was very easy.
Such a cool valve works great looks great and has 4 matching valve wrench caps!
Really like that there is a top rubber seal. … Helps seal that side and prevents nut from scratching rim. … That piece is metal and has four holes on all sides for air.
Solid construction and the top cap is a useful tool to help remove the cores.
I really like their flared opening in the rim
replaced some got from another company that wobbled, these tighten quite well, feel sturdy, and look good
These we very easy to install and the ability to use a hex key to hold the valve while tightened the stem down was very helpful.
Great color options and they are as good as they look on line
Cons
Also, the valve cores that come with the valve are prone to clog easily with sealant
The valve body works well but the rubber seal does not. … The rubber seal is made of a softer rubber that deforms quite easily, it also stretches and deforms creating openings for air to escape through the valve.
Best No Frills Tubeless Valve
Stan’s NoTubes Tubeless Valve Stem
- Easy to use
- Compatible with ZTR, roadtubeless and standard roadrims converted to tubeless
- Sold in pairs; Nickel plated; Extended rubber base aids inflation
Stan’s valve stems are one of those products that fit almost any tubeless-ready wheel with a Presta valve hole on the rim. These are available in sizes ranging from 35-55mm.
In our experience, the 44mm brass valve stems are especially suitable for shallow MTB rims. Make sure to choose the right size to get a good seal. Due to the short size, these valves don’t stick out much which minimizes the risk for damage while riding hard on a difficult terrain.
Easy installation and solid build quality are of paramount importance when it comes to picking valve stems for a multi-day trail ride. To install Stan’s valve stems, all you have to do is remove the inner tube, cinch down the valve stems, inject sealant, pump the tire – that’s it.
Removable core makes filling up the tires with sealant so much easier. Mind you that you will need a Presta core tool to remove the core. As long as you snug them down properly, there cannot possibly be any air leaking issues with these.
Pros
- Core can be removed in a snap.
- Comes in a size range between 35-55mm, compatible with all tubeless-ready rims.
- Setup is a breeze.
- Doesn’t stick out too much, hence minimal risk of damage.
Cons
- The rubber piece could have been a wider and more square.
Tubeless Valve Stems Explained for Tubeless Noobs
Tubeless valves are a small but significant part of a tubeless tire setup. Tubeless technology has been a game changer in the mountain bike world.
Thanks to reduced weight, improved puncture resistance, and traction it brings to the table, more and more bicyclists have been converting stock wheels to tubeless.
To create an airtight seal on a tubeless tire, you need to mount a tubeless valve on the rim by fitting them through the pre-drilled valve hole. Tubeless valve stems have locking nuts for a secure fit.
How to Install a Tubeless Valve Stem
One of the biggest advantages of going tubeless is the easy, no-fuss setup. Tubeless valve stems depend on the air pressure for sealing.
You don’t need any special tool or skill to install a tubeless valve stem. Below we have laid out the installation steps to help you kick-start your tubeless journey:
- Step 1: Choose the right grommet base for your wheel rim. They usually come in two shapes – round, and conical.
- The tapered round rubber base is more traditional and suitable for standard rims. However, some modern rims seal better with a flat conical base.
- Step 2: Before installing the valve through the valve hole on the rim, make sure the curvature of the rubber seal is identical to the curvature of the rim. Put the base into the hole and cinch down.
- Step 3: Install the stem and hand-tighten it. You may have to use a hex key to hold the rim and base together while you hand-tighten the two parts together.
How To Clean Tubeless Valves
More often than not, tubeless valves get gummed up from sealant.
To clean the buildup, just remove the valve and wash it with warm water and a little soap. Use warm water only as tubeless sealants are water-soluble. A little heat will increase the solubility of the sealant and it will clean up more easily.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What size tubeless valves do I need?
Answer: The required tubeless valve length depends on the depth of the rim of your bike tires. Here’s a quick guide to the best rim depth-tubeless valve stem size combinations for your reference:
- For rim depth under 24mm: 35 mm.
- For rim depth under 25mm-34mm: 44mm.
- For rim depth under 35mm-40mm: 55mm.
Anything rim depth bigger than that should be paired with a 60mm-80mm tubeless valve.
2. Why are Presta valves better?
Answer: Compared to Schrader valves, Presta valves have a smaller circumference at the bottom. This means they require a smaller rim hole which increases rim strength.
Secondly, unlike Schrader valves which need a spring-loaded check valve to seal, Presta valves solely rely on the air pressure of the tire to seal tightly.
Thirdly, the core of Presta valves is removable which allows you to inflate the tires easily and maintain a high pressure.
Finally, weight weenies prefer Presta valves due to their lightweight. Another reason why Presta valves are better is that they are extendable with adapters, making them well-suited for deep-section rims.
3. Can I switch from Schrader to Presta?
Answer: You will need a special adapter to convert Schrader to Presta. Doing so will allow you to quickly inflate the tires with a Presta pump. Some Presta valves come with an extra-wide grommet base, so they can easily fit the Schrader hole on the rim without an adapter.
4. Are all Presta valve cores the same?
Answer: Yes, pretty much all Presta valve cores are a universal size and have similar threading. Ergo, you can replace your Presta valve core in a jiffy as frequently as needed.
5. What pump do I need for a Presta valve?
Answer: A regular air pump and a Presta valve adapter are all you need to inflate a Presta valve
Wrap Up
By now, you must have figured out that not all tubeless valve stems are created equal. So take your time to read the reviews carefully before you jump to a conclusion.
While the more premium solutions offer a good mix of performance and aesthetics, a low-cost tubeless valve stem from a reputed manufacturer can be just as good. We are quite hopeful that you will find the perfect component for your bike’s tubeless setup from our list above.