CoreCap from BBB Cycling – a bike valve with plenty of potential, but...
19/5/2026
Translation: Veronica Bielawski
Pictures: Patrick Bardelli
BBB Cycling’s new CoreCap bike valve has set out to push the conventional Presta valve off the market. The Dutch company’s new technology has its strengths. Unfortunately, it also has a few weaknesses.
At the start of the year, Dutch bike accessories, components and tools brand BBB Cycling promised a revolution in bike valves. Inspired by The Lord of the Rings, the new CoreCap was to be the «one valve to rule them all». In somewhat less grandiose words, this disruptive technology was supposed to spell the end of the standard Presta valve.
The Presta has been the industry standard for decades – light, slim and widely used. However, it's fragile and prone to clogging with tubeless tyres.
The thing about valves
According to BBB Cycling, the CoreCap has clear advantages: more airflow, compatibility with both tubeless and tubed tyres as well as with standard Schrader (AV) pump heads. So far, so good. In practice, though, things look a little different.
My Bixs e-MTB runs on tubed tyres. No problem, the CoreCap should work with them just fine... right? Turns out the valve core is fixed and can’t be unscrewed. No chance of making it work. Luckily, I have a gravel bike as backup that runs on Stan’s valves. Oh, wait. No luck there after all, as the threads don’t extend all the way to the top of the valve, making it impossible to install the CoreCap.
So I turn to my most recent addition, a non-electric MTB from Transalpes. But this one also has Stan’s valves and therefore doesn’t work.
Since I can’t be bothered with a full valve-swapping extravaganza, I’m left with my old Giant gravel bike that’s mounted on my trainer in the garage. Switching out the valves entirely would mean quite a bit of faff – redoing the tyres, rims, tyre noodles – plus a fair bit of mess from handling the tubeless sealant. What’s more, super-easy installation is supposed to be one of the main selling points. The CoreCaps do actually fit on my Giant, and I get them on in no time. After a few rides on my old bike that’s been brought back to life, I’ve got nothing negative to report about the valves.
The thing about pumps
Pumping up the CoreCaps with a standard floor pump and Schrader (AV) head goes without a hitch. Things get trickier with a mini pump out on the road. Depending on the ride type and bike, I rely on the Incredible Pump from Daysaver or the Eflator Mini from Fix Manufacturing. The Daysaver one doesn’t work with the CoreCaps, but the Fix Manufacturing one does – with the right AV adapter.
BBB Cycling has also recently launched a new digital mini pump that’s supposed to be compatible with the CoreCaps and all other valves on the fly. Of course, one could have simply developed a valve that works with all pump types. Or just included an adapter. But this way, the manufacturer has another product to sell. Make of that what you will. You’ll find my detailed review of the pump here.
Cool, but...
All things considered, I’d say I’m quite a fan of BBB Cycling’s new technology. The CoreCaps win me over – when they actually fit my bike. Unfortunately, right now that only applies to my old Giant gravel bike, where the colourful valves are easy to install in no time flat. They’re also compatible with my floor pump, which is great.
On my other bikes, though, the valves don’t work for various reasons. And not all my mini pumps are compatible either. What was the manufacturer’s claim again? Right: «One valve to rule them all.» Well, there’s definitely room for improvement to pump up that claim. It’s all a bit annoying, really, because the CoreCaps themselves are genuinely excellent – and in my view, do make the Presta obsolete.
And then there’s Schwalbe
The German brand Schwalbe has also released a system – the Clik Valve – gunning to replace the standard Presta. The same limitation applies here: the valve core, tubeless or not, needs to be removable for the Clik Valve to work. But unlike with the CoreCaps, this is the only limitation. The Schwalbe valves work fine with Stan’s.
When it comes to the pump, chances are you’ll need an extra adapter that screws onto your existing pump head.
Bike tyre accessories
Quantity discount
EUR14,98 per piece for 2 units
Schwalbe Clik Valve / SV-SCV valve & pump adapter
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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