2022 Pinkbike Awards: Product of the Year Nominees
Product of the Year
It's probably fair to say that 2022 hasn't been the year of game-changing new products that we might have hoped for. We haven't seen any rocket boosters, warp drives, or handlebar-mounted coffee machines come to market in the last twelve months. Truth be told, the industry is still working hard on filling orders placed years ago. Nevertheless, an eclectic mix of products has impressed us rather a lot.
Why it's nominated
Until this year, Continental was pretty far down the list of brands that came to mind when picking tires for gravity-focused bikes. In fact, many of their older tires lacked suppleness to the point of being harsh. But Continental invested a lot into their new gravity lineup, working with the Athertons and others to develop a range of four tread patterns. They settled on a high thread count, helping to ensure much better suppleness, and worked on various combinations of pattern, compound and construction.
I got to test the mixed-conditions Kryptotal tyres before launch and was very impressed by their lack of blind spots - they work well everywhere, offering dependable traction, line-holding, suppleness and damping. Since then other editors have approved, including in field tests, or when Mike Kazimer raced them at the Stone King Rally. Continental athletes also scored three of five elite-male podium spots at one of the slippiest races of the season in Snowshoe. But what really impresses us about these tires is their versatility. For DH tires, they're not overly heavy, they roll reasonably well, and they don't wear too badly. They're also notably comfortable on hardpack terrain, making them a great choice for DH or enduro racers and bike-park rats alike.
FULL REVIEW
Why it's nominated
Hope got a lot of flak from the internet experts when they launched these pedals earlier this year. Unlike most new clipless pedals, they don't use Shimano's SPD cleat standard, but like Crank Brothers and Time, decided to make their own proprietary cleats.
Hope clearly didn't do this to make their lives easier. "The Shimano SPD system doesn’t work too well when used with a big platform," Hope explained. "It needs clearance meaning most of the platform would be wasted... our own mechanism solved some of the issues."
As always, the proof is in the riding. According to Kazimer's review "The Union TC pedals function extremely well, with an entry that requires minimal effort, and a smooth, predictable release."
FULL REVIEW
Why it's nominated
A set of tubeless valves for $50 sounds like a pretty terrible deal, let alone a product of the year nominee. But the Fillmore valves solve two problems we've all faced. Because the valve core pierces the entire valve stem and plugs air before it enters the valve, they are much less prone to clogging up with sealant than standard valve stems, so they last longer and need less attention. This design also allows more airflow, making it easier to seat tubeless tires with a standard pump. Better yet, there's no chance of the valve core unthreading when removing a screw-on pump head - a problem that can occasionally spell disaster with most types of hand pumps.
If they do get clogged, they're easy to disassemble and clean, and they're even covered by a lifetime warranty. We're still not claiming they're good value, but their innovative design offers a tangible benefit, making them our favorite valves.
FULL REVIEW
Why it's nominated
When you can buy a good dropper post for about half the price, the BikeYoke is another tough sell from a value standpoint. But its durability and ease of service help make up for the higher initial cost. The max version uses a thick 28 mm diameter upper stanchion to increased stiffness. This makes for a silky smooth action every time. It's a feeling of quality that most impressed us, and several owners in the comments echoed that the action of the BikeYoke post is noticeably smoother and more refined than other droppers.
And while the need to burp the system pretty regularly isn't something we can ignore, it's well worth it if it saves you having to take it apart or send it off to be serviced to avoid the dreaded "unintended suspension seatpost" effect.
FULL REVIEW
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But Fillmore $50USD $70 CAD tire valves as product of the year nominee?
This is click bait right, just for commenter engagement…..Right?
The presta valve, is cheap, easily replaced (for cheap) and rebuildable without having to remove the wheel.
The fact that the insert can be removed from the outside is it’s biggest advantage.
And Santa Cruz’s claims of easily airing down there valve is the same feature offered by a presta valve.
I love innovative products, and I realize some appeal to others that others can’t see any benefit in, but a friggin $50 tire valve has no real benefit over what it replaces
I haven’t. I swap loads of tires and have never had any of the issues these valves claim to solve. I simply pull the core, seat tire, replace core, pump tire to desired pressure.
If valve gets plugged, which does happen, I pull core, use pipe cleaner to clear clog, clean off core, reinstall. Wheel stays on, sealant stays in, easy peasy, lemon squeezy.
Make you a deal, I’ll buy a set in the New Year, try them for 6 months, and try to write an unbiased review. I’ll send that review to you guys, and if it’s written well, and you like it, you refund my purchase price.
I even have two bikes, that I ride regularly, I’ll commit to doing monthly tire changes on both to rate the experiences. You guys interested?
I make no excuses there, the marketing works!
I bought a sealant injector a few weeks ago, used it, it worked well, scraped it out with an Allen key. The very next time I pump my tire, valve is clogged and airflow is pathetic
I think we just need to move away from the injector method
not any liner that does not have a hole or channel next to the valve
You see I have to go spend $70 CAD to buy them, that’s a good chunk of change for initial purchase, putting my money where my mouth is. I can get a Maxxis tire on sale from TBS for close to that money
There’s a possibility that some of us have gotten a little desensitized to the costs of things, and if you didn’t spend the money out of your own pocket, it might be a little hard to actually decide that this is a valuable proposition.
I’ve never had an issue setting a tire with a hand pump, like I said, pull the core, set tire, insert core, pump to desired pressure. I’ve rarely had a presta valve clog up, but I don’t inject sealant either, I pull the bead (even with cushcore installed) Then you can use the small nut on the presta valve to let just the right amount of air out….
In actuality, I’m usually swapping tires so often, I have no need to top up sealant
I’m baffled
Honest question, please explain how
I cant for the life of me understand what I’m missing here.
I’m trying, and I mean no disrespect at all
Man you gotta explain this to me,
I’m baffled at how this is anything but incrementally better than a presta valve, and I question that
But your risk is real low here, you’re the one that gets to decide if you’re even reimbursing the purchase price of these scandalously expensive tire valves.
I’m sure @brianpark can make a story out of this somehow, so it’s added content, which might only cost you $50.
Hell, send me a pair of good shape clipless pedals instead, I can only imagine you’ve got a bucket load of those lying around, and I haven’t run clipless in prolly 20 years.
I’ll be as honest and objective as I can, I have no issue with admitting when I’m wrong.
I’m willing to put my money where my big mouth is….Is PinkBike?
If you’ve never experienced any problems with current presta valves, and you’re clearly more than capable of swapping valve cores,
Please go and donate that $50 to a worthwhile charity, maybe your local trail builder, or trail advocacy society, Christ sakes, there’s so much more good that can be done with that $50 than the purchase of high flow tire valves.
Again, I’m very sorry if any of that came off as condescending or aggressive or like I was a prick. But let’s be honest with our selves guys, think how happy your local trail builder would be with a new chainsaw blade, or shovel, or Pulaski, instead of Santa Cruz selling another set of lifetime warranty valve stems….
I’m f*cked right off by the inclusion of these in this list!
Secondly, I’m OCD about my tire pressure, every time you release air from a standard presta you’re getting some sealant gunking it up. This gunk also messes with getting a pressure gauge reading once it’s bad enough. Ever try to fill up a partially clogged presta valve with a mini pump trail side? That one experience was enough to make the $37 worth it.
Clogged valves are an easy fix yes, but I’ve spent a good deal of time trying to find where I left my tiny valve core remover, or digging one out of my pack (and forgetting to put it back).
It’s the little inconveniences of life that build up to drive me crazy. Death by a thousand cuts. The Fillmore create one less thing to fiddle with and simply work better all around. As with all things you might value your time less and have a greater little annoyance tolerance than I. But that doesn’t make it not worth the cost to those like myself. Thankfully we all have the choice of what we buy (or don’t). More options aren’t a bad thing.
Yeah, we get it. But like the Scott Scale article and everyone complaining about how much it costs...just don't buy it. You claim to have a great set up, so keep using that and quit complaining that PB won't reimburse your purchase price for something you already said you can't stand and haven't purchased. Or, get a job as product reviewer at PB so you can be paid properly for your opinion after actually testing something properly.
I get the skepticism if you haven’t tried them but they are so much nicer to use, I had issues in the past seating tyres with a chamber style pump, no issues with these, stupidly easy to add sealant, really quick deflation (not that it’s important but still cool) and they are much nicer quality than the muc off and stans ones I have used in the past.
I'm considering giving Octamousse inserts a try, but won't go back to Presta valves, and that's what made me think about drilling.
I still didn’t buy them at $50 but I’d when they were 25% off at my LBS.
Why am I posting a receipt of my donation?
But seriously, I take exception to perceived useless, grossly overpriced products, that get pushed for little to no reason.
I have no real issue that these exist, there’s lots of silly things that exist, and typically, I actually like that. But for these things to be up for some sort of “product of the year award” that’s just plain silly, and feels like we are pandering to sponsors.
Again, I’m willing to put $70CAD on the line to eat my own words, that’s more than 3 times the average hourly income of a Canadian citizen, almost 5 times that of someone in the USA. Im looking to PB to stand behind they’re claim that these things are revolutionary in some way
I want to apologize (slightly) about my comments and antics about these things.
But Christ on a motorbike, product of the year nominee. And I get it, it’s pointless, the award, the nomination, the whole bit. It just grinds my gears!
Swear to god, I’ll start my own website (call it mauve bike or some shit) just to review things like this out of my own pocket.
Any of you ever see BOLTR tool reviews on YouTube, he does a sort of crowd funded unbiased tool reviews where he takes them apart, and spills all their innards for everyone to see. Great videos, and he’s funny, and witty, and has a real interesting outlook on life and everything.
Check em out
I haven’t really had any issues with regularly clogged valves, but I think it might be a side effect of injecting sealant through the valve core, rather than unseating the tire.
Curious to anyone who has bought Reserve wheels, do these fill valves come with them?
In the FAQ section for the Fillmore valves it states that there is t a valve core to get in the way of injecting sealant. Am I misunderstanding how this valve is assembled, I can clearly see that the valve core is clearly inside the the stem of the valve, and the only way to remove it, is to unseat the tire and pull the plunger out. A regular presta valve, you just pull the core out, without unseating the tire.
Can anyone shed some light on this?
However, a regular tubleless valve at both my local shops is $5 CAD, so $10 total, compared directly to getting these valves for $70…. That still seems Extravagant. Now normally I’m into extravagant, hell I’m considering a Boxxxer for the front of my Spire, to see if it’s cooler than the Zeb, so to me more is more, and I’m into it…..cause I think there’s a perceived benefit, performance or aesthetics or otherwise.
I just struggle to see any benefit to these that’s relative to their price, much less to be a “product of the year” nominee
clogged valves is an easy problem to solve w/ a valve core remover and a tiny 2mm allen wrench. What's way more tedious is asking someone to spend $100 of valves, remove their tires that are prob perfectly fine, then reseat the tires.
This is a product begging for a solution, and it's absurdly overpriced. Quit promoting these overpriced products....
It’s not hate for the product, the product can exist, let’s not get derailed by that (maybe a tiny bit, but not really) I’m shocked that PB has nominated such a ridiculous product that in no way solves an existing problem or innovates on an existing one in any meaningful way. Then do very little to back that up with anything other than “have you tried them”
The product can exist, I wish it didn’t, and if it’s cost was more inline with current offerings, I prolly wouldn’t care (who am I kidding)
I love that people make dumb shit, cool shit, pointless shit, amazing shit, expensive shit, valuable shit, etc, etc, etc.
I’m fired up at PB and @mikekazimer for this travesty!
You're failing the civil discourse and reasonable person tests. Let me know the last time anything was 100% compliant with your thoughts and feeling AND with everyone else's. I better not hear a single shred of positivity from you on the Bike of the Year.
I could gives 2 f@#ks about any sort of reasonable persons test, that’s just not who I am, but would happily sit down with anyone with both valves in front of us, and have them exp,ain’t why this is any better than the current presta valve offering. Sometimes we are all sheep, and have to find reasons to justify things we bought, that’s something that I understand and acknowledge, I find most dont.
As I said, you don't see the benefit in valves and that's fine, but you're unreasonably critical of anyone who has used them and offered a positive review and just can't seem to leave it alone. Since you don't give 2 f*cks about being reasonable I guess we can end the discussion and leave each of us to their own.
1. I didnt specificity call anyone out as being sheep, or criticize anyone for purchasing something that they want. You’re reading into the things I’m writing, and picking out your own points. I referred to us ALL being sheep one time or another, and using silly reasonings as our justification for vanity purchases. If you don’t think youve ever done that, well….mark me down for being incorrect.
2. As stated previously, my full beef is the idea that these valves are some sort of product of the year, by what some people consider to be a reasonable newsworthy source. That, as I’ve noted grinds my gears a bit. Add to that the flippant “have you tried them” from a tech editor that I willing to bet never paid for them in the first place.
3. I’m willing to back, and stand behind everything I said, my hope was that PB would do the same, clearly they don’t care, and that’s not really a big deal at all. It has changed things for me a bit, as I always thought of @mikekazimer for being fairly level headed, and seemed like a decent honest guy. I kinda wished he had took me up on my offer.
4. Maybe no one has mentioned this to you before, but in your attempt at trying to be “right” your simply being just as pedantic as I am. You are not the gatekeeper of everything good and holy, so just chill out. If you no longer wanted to continue with this discourse, you could simply not reply, it’s that easy.
I personally think the bike yoke dropper will win. I had it on my last bike and I regret not keeping it because it is leagues above any other dropper on the market.
So when they hang their helmet on something, you can be well assured that their will be a bump sales/exposure/interest. I take the Fillmore valve is an improvement on anything, and I do not believe it’s a good product, or worth $50jeezlus dollars
I, as an admitted unreasonable person, expected (hoped) that they would stand behind that recommendation. Especially when being called out on it, and I’ve always thought of @mikekazimer as being a reasonable, sensible, no nonsense human.
I clearly have strong opinions, but am always willing to go well out of my way to stand behind them. It’s how I maintain even a modicum of credibility.
So when presented with the opportunity PB had a couple choices, and they chose differently than I had hoped. That’s really the end of it, unless I choose to go buy some stupid valve, and do some stupid testing, that no one but me gets the benefit of…..so we will have to see.
Totally unnecessary, but really nice.
What sealant are you using that is dried in only a few rides, honest question.
How much air are you starting your day with, and then dropping in the afternoon?
I find this much more interesting than the worlds stupidest, overpriced valves.
Only valve cores are removable trailside--not sure how you are servicing them.
No Tubes. Sealant only dries around hole in rubber base of valve, where there's airflow--still liquid elsewhere. I've threaded a 2oz sealant bottle nozzle onto a Fillmore stem to add sealant--still no clogging. Maybe tubeless presta valves with metal around the base hole are better, but now I don't have to find out.
I ride a few miles of road to get to mountain park, and inflate for that. Between that and the ten degree temp change between morning and later morning, and soil moisture levels....
Valve cores are easily serviced trailside if required, you simply unthread them, clean, etc if required. You know that, as youve alluded to having to poke the dried sealant through the valve stem.
Where a Fillmore valve isn’t serviceable trailside, unless you’re pulling the tire off to do so. I recognize that part of the point is that you don’t have to service them…..
Adding sealant through the valve stem, on the Presta valve, is likely why people run into so many clogged valves.
What kind of pressures are we talking about for changes?
What are you putting in for road riding, and what are you dropping to?
What kind of pressure differences are you seeing from morning to later morning?
I haven't had any issues mounting or setting up tubless - there hasn't been any of the sidewall seeping previous Continental tires suffered from.
Also how do they compare to the e13 Grappler?
Want the trail casing? Endurance compound only which has sucked in every review I've ridden.
Why do I care? I ride a short travel "downcountry" bike (Transition Smuggler) that came with Maxxgrip Exo Minions.
When Conti makes the super-soft in the trail casing I'll be keen to try, but why would anyone want a chunky tyre without the grip? If I am paying a rolling resistance penalty I want the damn grip for it!
The mtb world needs another proper tire test- maxxis vs. the new contis, specialized, pirellis, michelins, etc.- in a place like Whistler where you can ride everything. Riders of different ability levels (ex. intermediate, average shredder type, and a former WC downhiller) to ride a few control trails back to back to back testing all of the major tire options in both the softest and medium compounds.
Overpriced valve, clipless pedals that I will never use due to already being invested in SPD and CB, too fancy dropper. The tires get my vote for actually challenging Maxxis dominance on the WC scene.
Sealant will find its way in there during regular use, deflating, inflating. How do you think presta valves normally get clogged with sealant?
Very well made, and work exactly ass advertised, which, if you haven’t tried it, makes slack seat angles better than overly steep ones.
A buddy told me that he thought of it as a solution in search of a problem, that he needed his seat dead level or he always felt like he was sliding off it. I snorted milk from my nose when i saw that, we live in a winch and plummet area, so if you’re climbing, your seat ain’t level…..he didn’t think that as funny as me.
Here’s why I bought it, and this feature doesn’t get enough credit.
On steep stuff, which is my preferred riding, I’ll be behind the seat, more than once on janky trails I’ve gotten a bit stuck back there, or smashed my bits while trying to death slide my way down a chute. With the seat tilted back, there’s no fear whatsoever of this happening.
Also, slightly slacker seat angles really benefit from this, you can preserve your reach, while tipping the seat down (on the rivet we used to say) to get a tonne more power for steep climbs.
I recognize it’s not for everyone, but I think it’s friggin great, and suggest everyone try one for a month, you’ll love it.
Maybe Aenomoly needs a couple rental units to send to people to try out. You pay a $50 deposit/rental that’s refunded if you buy one….
@plustiresaintdead
For me it was after getting use to the nose pointed up for racing DH that I found I was never as comfy on the trail bike with it's 'flat' angle on the good downs. Since i moved to CO and found I spend a lot more time climbing trails instead parks laps, the discomfort to the taint was very really. The switch grade resolves both these issues, the climb mode means my taint isn't screaming in discomfort and the dh mode makes my trail bike feel like a mini dh sled
Saying that....
Peaty's Chris Kings are over $30. Cushcore's are $25. i9 over $20. Mucoff $35... Etc.
So you're paying an extra $10-20 and they actually have different tech... better tech... so you're complaining about spending $20 on a $5-10k bike.... on a $8-1800 wheel set....
Skip lunch for a day. Done.
Does anyone know why they may have designed this point to be so thin? It almost feels intentionally weak. Ican't figure out why they chose to do that. Maybe to allow more air to escape when you depress the cap to let air out?