You never notice your valve stems until one fails. Out on the trail, that small part can stop everything in its tracks. That’s why partnering with Colby Valve to include their recovery gear in our kits was one of the easiest business decisions we ever made. Their toolless valve stem replacement solves a critical problem on the trail, and their willingness to let us refine the design makes the partnership even sweeter.

How a Colby Valve Works

Here’s a quick refresher on how the Colby Valve works, and why we are proud to partner with them. If your valve stem gets damaged, you can cut out the old one and are left with a hole. The Colby Valve replaces your old valve stem, and as you turn the wing nut, it expands into place, locking securely in the rim. It’s an easy trail fix, and the best part is, you can do the entire repair without any specialized tools.

The Old Setup

Previously, our Colby Valve kits came with two valve stem replacements. The wing nut on that version was made of durable plastic, and it handled the job reliably on most wheels. On most wheel designs, it seated without issue and remained a dependable trail fix. But as wheel designs are starting to change, we saw an opportunity to make some improvements.

The Challenge with Newer Wheels

Today’s wheels are built tougher, with valve stems tucked into the wheel and better protected from rocks and trail damage. That added protection is great for durability, but it also means there’s often less clearance to work with. While the original Colby Valve continued to serve off-roaders well, certain newer wheels made it harder to seat the plastic wing nut. We knew a small adjustment could make the design even more universal.

The Update: The GlueTread Colby Valve

Together with Colby Valve, we developed a refined design that makes installation easier on modern wheels. The original plastic nut is reliable, but in its place we now offer an all-metal, CNC-machined, aluminum wing nut. The new GlueTread Colby Valve has a 30% lower profile, with refined wing angles that give it a more universal fit. Stronger, slimmer, and built to last, this new design is versatile enough for wheels with less clearance around the valve stem.

Why the Change Matters

The upgrade is simple but important. Wheels have changed, and the GlueTread Colby Valve has changed with them. The new wing nut is slim enough to seat in tight spots, strong enough to last, and easy enough to install without a tool kit. Best of all, the new parts are manufactured in our facility in Montana, keeping production close to home.

Where to Get It

The updated GlueTread Colby Valve comes standard in all of our Comprehensive Tire Repair Kits, including the Expedition Kit, Complete Kit, SxS Pro Kit, and ATV Pro Kit. Prefer to carry an extra? You can also pick up a single-valve pack on our website.

A small change can make a big difference, and the updated GlueTread Colby Valve is built to keep you moving.

Written by Caroline Crow