It began with a question
Clik Valve began with a simple question: Why have so many other types of connections improved, while tire inflation systems remain stuck with the same 130 year old designs? Think about computer cables or more recently mobile phone chargers, which were once a frustrating mix of incompatible connectors, now unified and made efficient with USB-C.
In nearly every other area, connections have become faster, more robust, and easier to use. And it’s not just in other industries. On bicycles, nearly every other component has been improved over time: frames, drivetrains, derailleurs, brakes, shocks and even handlebars. So why hasn’t the same progress been made for valves?
A small wheel. A big idea.
The inspiration for the Clik Valve solution struck during a moment of frustration while I was trying to inflate the tire on my son’s small electric dirt bike. The chuck on my floor pump didn’t fit inside the wheel, making the task nearly impossible. I did find a smaller pump head which fit, but it couldn’t be locked into place because of its long, awkward lever. In the end, I had to bend the valve outward, which tore the molded base on the inner tube. Total failure, but I knew I wasn’t the only one facing this problem.
It was clear that traditional valve systems were never designed with ease of use in mind. They were relics that had resisted reinvention, not because they were great, but because they had become somewhat invisible over the years. Perhaps we’d simply grown used to the inconvenience. After all, these old valves are ubiquitous, found on every tire, whether it’s on a wheelbarrow, wheelchair, scooter, bike or car.
-
01 / No room to lock -
02 / A sideways pull. A burst tube. -
03 / A simple Clik connection
From frustration to invention.
But cars and bikes are different. Most people don’t deal with their car tires; they just go to a tire shop. Cyclists, on the other hand, are constantly interacting with their tires.
This was the opportunity I saw: to improve one of cycling’s smallest but most critical components. The goal was clear: create a valve and pump head system that made connection so easy it could be done with just two fingers. If I could also preserve compatibility with existing equipment while improving airflow and long-term reliability, I knew the idea had a chance.
After a lot of time tinkering, the Clik Valve was born.
The next chapter took me from Los Angeles to Germany for my first meeting with Schwalbe.
02 / THE DIFFERENCE
What Makes Clik Valve Different?
What truly sets Clik apart is its tiny, streamlined pump head with no bulky locking levers, making it incredibly effective in tight spaces where traditional pump heads simply don’t fit. The simple push-on/pull-off functionality is so intuitive, it makes you ask, “Why hasn’t it always been this way?” No more bashing knuckles against the spokes or worse, the rear wheel cassette.
The Clik design also addresses common frustrations with traditional systems, like air leakage during pumping or premature disconnection. It creates a secure, consistent seal, combining functionality, durability, and simplicity to fix issues that riders have simply learned to live with.
Clik also offers distinct advantages for tubeless tire applications. It delivers over 1.5x the airflow of a Presta valve and resists clogs caused by tire sealants more effectively. Rapid disconnection helps minimize sealant being swept into the valve stem. Although it may not yet match certain big-bore valves in extreme clogging scenarios, this is a challenge we’re actively working on.
03 / GLOBAL COLLABORATION
A Global Collaboration
Recognition for the Schwalbe Clik Valve
The Clik Valve made its debut through our commercialization partner, Schwalbe, a company celebrated for its outstanding tires and commitment to German engineering excellence. Its launch at Eurobike 2024 earned a prestigious Eurobike Award and captured the attention of cyclists and brands worldwide. Schwalbe’s reputation and industry leadership played a pivotal role in turning what was once just a crazy idea into a product reaching riders across Europe and beyond.
On the production end, the Clik Valve is produced in Italy by our partner, Record S.p.A., a company with decades of experience mastering the mass production of the very valve we aim to replace. This rich irony underscores the depth of their skill, as the Clik Valve core is anything but a standard, mass-produced widget. From the moment you hold it, you’ll recognize the care and thoughtful engineering behind its deceptively simple design.
Our pump head products draw on the expertise of specialist partners in the bicycle component industry. That foundation helps us deliver the reliability, performance, and ease of use that cyclists expect from both sides of the Clik connection.
Rethinking What's Possible
Clik Valve started with a small frustration and a simple belief: even the most familiar things can be made better.
This is just the beginning. At Clik Corp, we’re committed to pushing boundaries and elevating the cycling experience, one innovation at a time. We have a few more tricks up the sleeve, a few more crazy ideas that may one day make people ask “where has this been all my life!”