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Reserve aims to revolutionise the future of tubeless valves: with the launch of the Fillmore valve for tubeless tyres, a new tyre-fitting system is coming onto the market which, by offering three times the air flow compared to standard valves, aims to make tubeless fitting much easier. Most tyres should be able to be inflated without a compressor, and the valve channel should no longer become blocked so easily.
When the dust cap is tightened, a through-pin automatically seals the base of the valve, which is intended to prevent sealing fluid from entering. Adjusting the tyre pressure is also different: by pressing down on the slightly open dust cap, the pressure in the tyre can be easily adjusted. However, this carries the risk that, if the cap is lost, the valve can no longer be closed and air will escape whilst driving.
The Valves costing 40 euros are available in three different lengths. Reserve also offers a lifetime guarantee on Fillmore Valves.
Spare Fillmore Tubeless Valves – Information
- Weight: 5.55 grams
- Valve length: 46 millimetres
- Available lengths: 50/70/90 millimetres
- Valve head: Compatible with Presta valves
- Drainage ports / Suitable for inserts: 1 / yes
- Special features: Solid valve core; micro-adjustment via a twist on the cap; the core seals the valve base; can be filled directly (however, larger particles in the sealing fluid then increase the risk of blockage)
- Price: 40 euros >> Available here at a reduced price
Assembly & Handling
Thanks to their conical rubber seal, these spare valves fit most standard rims. The knurled nut is relatively small, but slides smoothly along the shaft and can still be tightened securely.
You’ll have a real ‘aha’ moment when inflating the tyre: the air flows much more smoothly than through standard valves, and you hardly feel any resistance on the floor pump.
Clever: You can fine-tune the tyre pressure whilst the dust cap is still on. Simply open it slightly and release air by pressing on the cap. However, if you lose the cap whilst off-road, you’ll be left in a bit of a pickle, as the cap secures the valve stem.
This pin also ensures that no sealing compound can block the shaft, as it seals the valve from below – a rather clever solution.
Review & Conclusion – Reserve Fillmore
| Category | Grade |
| Weight (20%) | 1.5 |
| Handling (20%) | 1.8 |
| Airflow (30%) | 1.1 |
| Protection against blockages (30%) | 1.5 |
| BIKE-NOTE | 1.5 |
Conclusion: Reserve Fillmore
The special design, featuring a continuous valve stem, helps the Reserve achieve a significantly increased air flow. Screwing the dust cap on tightly seals the valve seat and effectively prevents sealant from entering. What’s more, the air pressure can be finely adjusted whilst the cap is in place – a rather clever solution. However, if you lose the cap, the expensive valve is rendered useless.
This is how we measured the airflow
To find out which valve offers the best airflow, we carried out extensive measurement tests. However, the effect can be demonstrated most clearly directly on the wheel. The test was based on a 29 x 2.4-inch MTB tyre, which was inflated to 2.0 bar using a digital pressure gauge. We carried out several test runs to measure how much air escaped in five seconds when each valve was fully open.
Whilst all Presta valves – with variations of +/- 2 per cent – fall within the range of 34.1 per cent, twice the amount of air flows through the Topeak valve in the same time. With Stan’s, we measured an air loss of 78 per cent, and with Reserve, 87.4 per cent. The core-less Muc-Off achieves 100 per cent air flow; in other words, after five seconds, there was no longer any measurable pressure in the tyre. This makes it by far the best performer in this comparison.
Stefan Frey
Editor