Your Tubeless Valve Tips

Jim’s Tech Talk

By Jim Langley

Last week, I let reader and frequent commenter Seth Shaw set the Tech Talk pace with his clever tip of using pipe cleaners to clear sealant clogs in tubeless valves. Thanks Seth! Here’s that column with all the details in case you want to give it a try (Seth recommends a specific type of pipe cleaner).

Whenever the subject of tubeless tires comes up we receive anti-tubeless comments and it’s fine to express that opinion. However, the fact is that tubeless has become so popular, especially among riders of fatter road and gravel tires, that we’d be remiss if we didn’t offer tubeless tips.

And right on cue, several readers in last week’s comments offered their tips for dealing with and preventing sealant clogs in tubeless valves that are worth sharing.

Paul Anderson (and someone going by “RustedRoot” said they did the same thing) wrote, “I use the same type of pipe cleaner, but I dip the end in alcohol. The alcohol seems to soften the clog.”

Ed Fields said, “I use WD40 squirted into the valve core as it (slowly) dissolves the sealant and prevents buildup.” Then “Darren” recommended, “Place a drop of oil/wet lube down the valve stem and place another drop on the bottom half of the valve core, prior to inserting and tightening the valve core. NO MORE CLOGGED VALVES! I’ve been doing this for 5 years now; it solves the problem and there’s also nil impact on your tubeless sealant.” 

Jack Taylor agrees but he said, “I use a pipe cleaner with a bit of oil-based chain lube. The lube helps to keep the sealant from sticking in the valve.” 

And “Dave” shared , “Another method mentioned by the folks at Silca. Use a Q-tip lightly coated with oil and, with the valve core out, run it through the valve barrel twirling it as you go. It’s worked well for me. Not completely foolproof, but does help a lot.”

New Proprietary Valves for Tubeless

In addition to these tips, another Presta valve alternative was recommended. We looked at some of the other alternatives to Presta valves here in a previous Jim’s Tech Talk  and in a review here.

But a reader named “Russ” and Anthony Fraschilla, both really like the Reserve Wheels Fillmore Valves “Russ” said, “They’re definitely more expensive ($49.95), but Reserve’s Fillmore valves have never clogged on me. They make filling a tubeless setup easy.” And Anthony agrees, “I use the Reserve Wheels Fillmore Valves for more effective air flow while mounting (they work well).”

I wanted to learn more about how these Fillmore valves work and found this video that explains in depth. I don’t agree with several of the statements about the limitations of Presta valves, but still think the Fillmores offer an interesting alternative if you’re looking for one.

As I was looking into the Fillmore valves I discovered another alternative valve system called milKit Valves so I’ll close with some information on them. Here’s a video showing how they work:

Thanks for all the tips readers, and here’s to no more clogs!

Jim Langley is RBR’s Technical Editor. A pro mechanic & cycling writer for more than 40 years, he’s the author of Your Home Bicycle Workshop in the RBR eBookstore. Tune in to Jim’s popular YouTube channel for wheel building & bike repair how-to’s. Jim’s also known for his cycling streak that ended in February 2022 with a total of 10,269 consecutive daily rides (28 years, 1 month and 11 days of never missing a ride). Click to read Jim’s full bio.