CoreCap Preview

CoreCap from BBB Cycling: another Presta alternative

We recently covered BBB Cycling’s CoreCap and its ambition to challenge the venerable Presta valve. Now we’ve got a set in hand and they’re heading onto a pair of wheels for real‑world testing.

If you missed our preview, here’s a quick refresher. The CoreCap comes in two versions: a simple cap that retrofits onto an existing Presta stem, or a complete tubeless valve kit. The sample we’re testing is the former – just the cap.

The image above shows what’s going on inside the valve. It all looks very simple and the design does seem to be a lot more robust than presta. BBB Cycling say the new design improves airflow by 300% and prevents sealant blockage. However, the chokepoint in the bottom half does look quite tight, so it will be interesting to see if this is a problem.

For many riders, the ability to remove a standard Presta valve core and replace it with a CoreCap makes the conversion refreshingly straightforward. There’s no need to ‘pop’ the tyre, pull out the old valve, or rebuild your tubeless setup. In fact, you could even use it on an inner tube if you wanted.

The CoreCap slides over the existing stem, increasing its diameter so you will need to use a Schrader‑type pump. That shouldn’t pose a problem, as most modern pumps support both Presta and Schrader. However, screw-on type chucks may be an issue, could they unscrew the cap when you remove them? I’ll see if that’s a problem. The CoreCap Valve Cap Upgrade Set includes two heads, lock‑nuts and spacers. The CoreCap AL Tubeless Valve Set adds a full valve stem for riders building a tubeless system from scratch.

The tubeless Valve Set is available in 40, 60 or 80mm lengths and two colours, while the CoreCap itself comes in six colours. Pricing is £14.99 for the CoreCap Valve Cap Upgrade Set and £24.99 for the CoreCap AL Tubeless Valve Set. For more details take a look at the BBB Cycling site.

We’ll be fitting them shortly and reporting back on how they perform.