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EB17: CarbonAria carbon fiber tubeless valve stems are next level

Written by Tyler Benedict Sep 01, 2017 5:28 p.m. ET

barbieri carbonaria carbon fiber tubeless valve stems for bicycles

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Yeah, there was still a part of your bike that wasn’t carbon. But Barbieri’s CarbonAria carbon valve stems solves that problem, and knocks precious grams off the rotating mass.

Coming in at a claimed 4g per valve in this 45mm long version, they’re wicked light. They say a shorter 35mm length is on the horizon, too.

Our scale backs up their claims, even with the larger of two rubber seals (our “tradeshow” scale has seen some abuse, and it kept waffling between 8g and 9g) coming in on target.

Each pair comes with all the bits needed to make it work, including the two different shapes of seals, helping you get the best fit on your bike.

We’re bringing a set home with us for test, stay tuned. Retail price is about €19 (probably $20 USD), on par in both price and weight with the alloy ones we used for our latest World’s Funnest Bike project. Except they’re carbon. Which is awesome.

Barbieripnk.it

Tyler Benedict

11,203 articles

Tyler Benedict is the Founder of Bikerumor.com. He has been writing about the latest bikes, components, and cycling technology for almost two decades. Prior to that, Tyler launched and built multiple sports nutrition brands and consumer goods companies, mostly as an excuse to travel to killer riding locations throughout North America.

Based in North Carolina, Tyler loves family adventure travel and is always on the lookout for the next shiny new part to make his bikes faster and lighter.

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Dave

6 years ago

This has got to be the ultimate waste of effort and money.

-1

Shreddingstevo

6 years ago

I got a hernia lifting my old tubeless valve stems off the floor. Man those things are heavy.

-1

Larry Falk

6 years ago

I haven’t decided if I like this part with the lock nut being used on threaded carbon. Anyone know if this is a good idea? In this capacity?

Mecanico do paladar

6 years ago

Been using them for a couple of months. So far so good.

the fred that will buy this

6 years ago

I always dehydrate myself several days before a big race. Gotta save 400 grams

AdamBike99

6 years ago

Is it Sept 1st or April 1st?

tyler

6 years ago

same weight as american classic AL. cool story.

-1

Collin S

6 years ago

Reply to tyler

I’ve sheered off an aluminum stem before. I had an almost flat burbed tire in the middle of snowy wintery ride. Hit the thing with CO2, the CO2 froze the water on the stem to the inflator. When I went to remove the inflator, it was stuck so I had to add a little muscle, and PSSHHH! Stem sheers off and there goes all my air.

Jason Woods

6 years ago

For the fool with more money than brains.

-1

Jeb

6 years ago

This actually makes sense. As noted above aluminum ones don’t play well with Co2. Same price (read people, jeez) as aluminum, if they are just as durable what’s not to like?

Ripnshread

6 years ago

Nice application of injection molded plastic. Using the right resin/fiber mix this easily could be strong enough for the application. Threads look coarse and deep. Nice product.

Cryogenii

6 years ago

Blimey guys, how hard do you do up the lock rings on your valve stems? I don’t think it’s a highly stressed thread so plastic should be fine.

In all seriousness; if you have to chuck a tube in your tubeless set up on the trail you better be able to undo the lock ring with your fingers…

Char

6 years ago

Yeah for real we have seen far stupider “upgrades” for far more $$ (this being unbalanced rotational/sprung weight too). This really doesn’t cost much more than a pair of steel valves in the first place, so as long as the nut is a soft enough material I don’t see why this wouldn’t work.

Kalman Barbieri

6 years ago

Hi i’m Mr. kalman Barbieri, http://www.barbieripnk.it.
not only the weight, but also you have 2×2 different exchangeable rubber for different rims.
+ 1 spare core + 1 key.
And you have 2 alloy rings with self-locking system.
Sorry for my bad English.
Nice Ride Kalman.

Lance

2 years ago

I have a couple sets. they are great. and ya, a couple grams, But at the most important part of the bike. I haven’t broken any of them in the year+ they’ve been used (although my daughter did via too much side pressure with a pump – would have broke Al ones too.