All about Clik Valve: How Cube plans to improve all its bikes in 2027

Editorial view

When a major manufacturer such as Cube adopts a new technology, it always sends a signal to the industry. Even if the new Clik Valve valves do not represent a revolution, they can improve ease of use. And the more the system gains acceptance, the more compatible pumps will become widely available. Following Cube’s commitment, it is now clear that Clik Valve is here to stay.

At Eurobike 2024, Schwalbe unveiled its new Clik Valve. The idea: easy inflation and low susceptibility to punctures. With this valve, Schwalbe aimed to render the classic Sclaverand (French), Schrader (car) and Dunlop bicycle valves obsolete. However, the new valves have not really caught on in the market so far. That is set to change now, though. For the 2027 model year, Cube is fitting almost all new bikes with inner tubes featuring the Clik Valve. Both the new Avinox e-bikes, the new Cube Stereo mountain bikes and Cube Fritzz, as well as the new Aero Renner Litening Aero.

“We hope that the system will become increasingly widespread. The benefits are clear to us. That is precisely why we took the plunge and made the complete switch for MY27,” explains Cube.

Attach, pump, remove

At the Schwalbe Clik Valve (reviewed here) The pump head is simply fitted onto the valve, where it locks into place securely without the need for manual locking. Once the tyre is inflated, it can be removed again without the need for screws or a clamping lever. It’s therefore fairly straightforward to use and, above all, easier for occasional cyclists. Typical problems with Presta valves are also said to be a thing of the past, such as bent valve stems or valve cores that have been unscrewed.

However, you’ll only get the full benefit of this feature with a special pump head designed for the Clik Valve. You can fit one as an aftermarket accessory or purchase one with a new pump. The Clik Valve is, however, designed in such a way that, in an emergency, it can still be inflated using standard SV pump heads. However, our tests to date have shown that, in this case, the force required is significantly greater and the air pressure is not displayed correctly.

More air for tubeless tyres?

Another advantage of the Clik Valve is said to be its higher air flow rate. According to Schwalbe, significantly more air flows through the Clik Valve in tubeless tyres than through conventional SV valves. This is said to be particularly helpful when fitting and inflating tubeless tyres. However, our test revealed only minor differences between the Clik Valve and classic SV valves. With Clik Valve cannot compete with genuine “high-flow valves” in a tubeless setup.

New ACID pumps

Cube is also expanding its range of accessories with five new pumps from its own Acid brand. These include a compact mini-pump, a battery-powered electric pump and a floor pump, each specifically designed for the Clik Valve. The aim is to make the transition as straightforward as possible in everyday use. Cube is confident that the system will quickly establish itself in the market thanks to the wide range of features on its 2027 range of bikes.