q & A

Colby Valve makes a line of replacement tire valves that can be installed from the outside of the wheel in under 5 minutes. It was developed by Neil Johnson after he witnessed a a tough day that his grandson had on the ATV race course caused by a broken valve stem. The patented valve is made in the United States, with high quality brass bar stock and a seal made from high tech urethane material.  We offer both an Emergency Tire Valve and a number of permanent tire valve options.  Colby Valve Tire Valves are designed to replace standard tire valves.  

The Colby Valve Emergency Tire Valves are designed to be installed WITHOUT tools. The “wing nut” design allows you to securely tighten it, by hand, to get you going on again, on the road or off road.  You can replace the Emergency Tire Valve with a permanent options, see video for instructions.  

Other Colby Valve Valve Stems provide a permanent tire valve replacement solution, WITH standard tools. Colby Valve valve stems fit standard tire valve openings (0.453”) and we also make an XL version to fit larger tire valve openings (0.625”) ideal for implement and construction equipment. 

Note:  Due to the design of Jeep® Wrangler Rubicon tires, the Emergency Colby Valve Tire Valve is a tight fit, we recommend our Permanent Colby Tire Valve.  Also Indian Motorcycle® tires are not compatible with any Colby Valve tire valves due to the design.    

The Colby Valve Emergency Valve is made with a brass nut that is over-molded with a special UV resistant polymer. This makes a wing nut that allows the Colby Valve to be completely installed tool-free in minutes.  

The Colby Valve Ultimate Tire Valves and The Colby Permanent Tire Valves are made with brass hex nuts that require a socket or wrench when installed. The Colby Valve Ultimate Tire Valve  is a full 1/2" shorter than the Permanent Valve, keeping it inside the wheel helps to prevent contact with objects along the road or trail.  

Note: ALL Colby Tire Valves install from outside of the wheel in under 5 minutes.

Colby Valves are designed to seal effectively with all tubeless tires that measure .453 in.  This size is found on most vehicles including trucks, automobiles, motorcycles, UTV, Jeeps, trailer tires, campers/RV tractors, lawnmowers, etc.  We make an XL version implement and construction equipment with a 0.625” inch tire valve opening.

You don't have to remove the tire • Anyone can install them • You install from outside the tire Colby Valves are inserted from the outside of the tire and can be installed by hand.  Factory and rubber tire valves generally require the removal of the tire to replace or repair.  This is not only more difficult, more costly, but also time consuming. 

Yes, it was our goal from the beginning to source as many components in the US as possible and to manufacture the valves locally.  All Colby Valves are assembled and packed in Rogers, Arkansas.  We continually strive to source as many components in the US whenever possible.  

Yes, as a general rule it is always cheaper to replace a tire valve yourself.  For a quick comparison, a singe Colby Valve Tire Valve will cost you about $15 and when compared to the cost of a tow, labor and parts, the answer is pretty simple.  The cost will be even higher if you are in a remote location, so always be prepared!

Colby Valve tire valves are 20x stronger than standard tire valves, which helps them to stand up more often when they come into contact with rocks, stumps and debris along the ride.  

The Colby Valve was designed to work with standard air compressors.  We recommend keeping a small battery operated, an air pump with a 12V car power adaptor or rechargeable pump to be prepared when you do not have access to electricity.  

A good rule of thumb when installing a Colby Valve manually is to turn until "snug."  There's a pretty clear "stop" built in. If you happen to take your valves to a shop to install, or you have the equipment to do it, the torque spec is 10-15 inch lbs.  Note: You don't want to over-tighten to a point that the rubber seal spins in the rim. This can lead to the rim cutting the rubber and compromising the seal.

A key advantage of the Colby Valve is that it can be inserted from the outside of the wheel. TPMS sensors are far too large to fit through the valve hole in the wheel... at least for now. Any “outside the wheel” monitoring system, such as Tire Minder will fit a Colby Valve. If you break a valve stem with a TPMS you can still use a Colby Valve to get you going again.

Colby Values can safely be used at standard tire pressures up to 150 PSI. In testing, the Colby Valve held 3,000 PSI indefinitely.

Visit our wholesale page to find out more about becoming a dealer, fill out the dealer application and we will be in touch shortly.  If you have questions before completing the application email us today.