Previously, milKit, the young Swiss cycling accessories brand, introduced a valve system that simplifies the handling and maintenance of tubeless tyres. For its next product innovation, milKit has created the Booster, which is rolling out via Kickstarter and ‘eliminates the need for an air compressor when seating tubeless tyres’.
“Many tubeless users and bike mechanics approached us and said that they loved the milKit valve system, and asked if we couldn’t also find an easy solution to the one problem remaining with tubeless tyres: inflating them without having to use a compressor,” said Pius Kobler, co-founder and CTO at milKit. “This inspired us to develop the Booster.”
milKit notes that many cyclists can hesitate to go tubeless because of the more difficult installation of tubeless tyres. Depending on the rim and tyre combination, the company adds that inflation with a normal floor pump can be impossible, as the air escapes between the tyre and the rim. Professional mechanics typically have a compressor at hand to provide the necessary boost of air to seat tubeless tyres on the rim; but for consumers, a compressor is a big expense.
To solve the question of how to compress and deliver air to a tubeless tyre using commonly available materials and fittings, milKit’s designers looked to standard aluminium drinking bottles, which are seen as ideal pressure-storing devices that are also lightweight, robust and inexpensive.
Combined with designed valve and fitting designs, the aluminum bottle makes the basis of the Booster system, which works simply as follows: inflate the booster with a bike pump; remove valve core from tubeless valves; push the booster on the valve stem.
milKit notes ‘it’s that simple… There are no hoses or additional valves to reduce air flow, making inflating tubeless tyres with the milKit booster more efficient than with any known existing solution.’
The milKit booster is lightweight and can act as a companion to bring along on a ride – and with the included line and bite valve riders can also turn the booster into a handy drinking system.
The milKit brand was created in 2015 by Swiss manufacturer, Sport Components Limited, with ‘the successful launch of the smart tubeless valve system that makes the use and maintenance of tubeless tyres easy.’ Product development engineer Pius Kobler and entrepreneur Sven Rizzotti, both avid mountain bikers, funded the venture with the vision to develop innovative components for the bike and outdoor market.
