This little thing could mean the end of the Presta valve
13/1/2026
Translation: Elicia Payne
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
A small aluminium part from the Netherlands has the potential to mix up the bike market. In fact, you could go so far as to say BBB Cycling’s CoreCap bike valve is disruptive.
That was a wild time, spring 2024. Some of the Galaxus bike community couldn’t catch their breath. What happened? I’d screwed coloured valve covers to my gravel bike and eMTB. If you’re new to the wonderful world of bike accessories or generally open-minded, you may be asking yourself: so what?
Well, this ruffled feathers. Everyone was thinking: how dare I? Firstly, bicycle valves don’t come with caps, and secondly, they certainly don’t come with coloured caps. At least that’s how the self-appointed moral guardians (I’m deliberately not using gender, because the notorious «know-it-alls» in the comment columns are always men) of the two-wheeled do’s and don’ts saw it. And anyone who disagrees has no idea anyway. Where would we end up if everyone simply did what they wanted on their bikes?
I digress. I’m not here to talk about the self-proclaimed first gen bikers and their horizons, but the new valves from Dutch manufacturer BBB Cycling, which also look like a valve cover. The little – warning, trigger incoming – colourful things have the potential to shake up the bicycle valve market, at least in parts.
Disruptive innovation
If you look up the term on Wikipedia, you’ll see the following: «In business theory, disruptive innovation is innovation that creates a new market and value network or enters at the bottom of an existing market and eventually displaces established market-leading firms, products, and alliances.»
And this is exactly what could happen to the Presta valve (page in German). For tubeless tyres at least. This valve’s been the industry standard in cycling for decades: the small thing is light, slim and therefore widely used. But, it’s also sensitive, clogs quickly and soon breaks as a result.
CoreCap by BBB Cycling
Dutch brand BBB Cycling is now shaking up the standard, launching a new and quite revolutionary valve on the market – the CoreCap. If you believe what the manufacturer says, however, this isn’t just a small improvement, but a completely newly developed, independent product. CoreCap’s supposedly designed to be universally compatible and easy to install. It should also maximise airflow. You can see a perfect illustration in the video below:
The manufacturer already provided me with test samples. CoreCaps were also available to buy on our shop – in black of course, and in two different lengths, but also in other colours… eeek. Since publishing this article, they’ve sold out.
First impressions: yes, but…
So far, so good. Of course, I tinkered around a bit and gained some initial experience with the new valve: if the Presta valve core isn’t screwed in, but permanently installed, as is the case with hose valves, the new technology won’t work. With tubeless tyres, it usually will. But apparently not for all valves.
That’s why I can easily mount it on my old Giant gravel bike. However, this doesn’t work on Bixs new Race Gravel with valves from Stan’s. According to the manufacturer, there are valves where the thread doesn’t reach all the way to the top, so the CoreCaps won’t work there. Never mind, I’ll just replace the valve, because this new technology really does seem to have the potential to put an end to the fiddly little Presta.
I’m going to persist with the CoreCap from BBB Cycling and will be back with a detailed review of the new valve. Until then, the world will keep spinning and new technologies will make new products possible. Sometimes even multicoloured ones.
Header image: Patrick Bardelli
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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