Why would you want to replace your current Presta valve with the new Reserve Wheels Fillmore, when the old standard is still going strong? Because traditional Presta valves weren’t designed for tubeless setups in the first place. But what are the pros and cons of Reserve’s high-flow valve?
In mountain biking, inner tubes have long become obsolete. All that’s left of them is the Presta valve, which is the same you find on a conventional inner tube and has been adopted as a standard for tubeless valves. Now, Wheel specialists Reserve Wheels have set themselves the task of designing a valve specifically for tubeless setups. The result is the Fillmore Valve. According to the Californian manufacturer, the larger port of the Fillmore valve allows for three times the airflow of traditional Presta Valves. The system aims to simplify tubeless se-tup and make clogged-up valves a thing of the past.
How does the new Reserve Fillmore valve work?
Reserve’s Fillmore valves renounce a removable valve core and rely on a single steel rod with rubber O-ring instead. When you tighten down the valve cap, the poppet locks into place, shutting the valve close on the rim side and thus preventing sealant from leaking further into the valve stem. The valve cap itself threads onto the valve-stem and the steel rod. This means: don’t lose the valve cap, because without it the valve won’t shut properly. As a result, it will behave more or less like a Presta valve with an undone valve core: it holds air but leaks gradually with impacts and strong vibrations. While at € 44.99 for the pair (11 g), the Fillmore valve isn’t exactly cheap, the price includes lifelong warranty.
Reserve Fillmore valves: installation and tire-insert compatibility
The Reserve Fillmore valve looks incredibly robust and makes a high-quality impression. The steel rod didn’t get damaged, even when we tried to bend it on purpose. The valve fits any Presta-compatible valve hole and can be used with rims up to 28 mm deep. Installation is quick and easy and doesn’t require tools. Unlike presta valves, which require you to remove the valve core to add sealant to your tire, the Fillmore valve allows you to inject sealant directly through the valve. With the steel rod undone, the sealant simply flows past the O-ring and straight into the tire. We used the valve in combination with all popular tire inserts without any problems. The vertical displacement of the inner steel rod is only marginal, preventing contact between the tire insert and the steel rod. In case of contact, however, the poppet is strong enough to push the insert out of the way.
Moreover, we managed to pop the tire bead into place and inflate the tire without using a special tubeless pump or air compressor. While up until now you had to remove the valve core of Presta valves to increase air flow, with the new Fillmore you get a comparable air flow directly through the valve. When removing the pump head, the valve is tightly sealed, saving you a second pump-round and the annoying fiddling of Presta valves, which require you to tighten the valve core when you’re done. After the assembly, you can check the air pressure with a pressure gauge and remove air if needed. You can also release air by gently tapping on the steel rod, but we recommend tightening the valve cap slightly to control the air flow better. The advantage of this: you can operate the valve even with chunky winter gloves, without the risk of accidentally undoing or removing the valve core. Even after three months of constant abuse on several bikes, our valve didn’t get clogged with dry sealant. But we’re keeping an eye on it ;)
With their Fillmore valve, Reserve take a whole new approach to improve a well-established standard. Thanks to the larger port, Reserve’s high-quality Fillmore valve simplifies tubeless setup without losing the functions of conventional Presta valves. Topping up tubeless sealant, checking air pressure and using tire inserts isn’t a problem either. However, the valves aren’t exactly cheap and losing the valve cap could spell disaster…
Tops
- Simplifies tubeless setup with conventional pumps
- Valve core can't be removed by accident
- Easy to use with gloves
- robust
Flops
- Price
- Can't lose the valve cap!
Test duration: 3 months on several wheelsets
Tester: Peter, Nils, Rudi
Price: 44.99 € (pair)
Weight: 11 g (pair)
More information at www.reservewheels.com
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Words & Photos: Peter Walker
