No, it doesn't have a bite valve. There is asmall "wheel" that , when you roll it along the tube, it squeezes the tube shut. there is also a clip that alows you to fold the tube back on itself for added protection - not necesary in my opinion. I saw some replacement bite-valves for a platypus in the shops. i might get round to putting one onto my tube...

With regard to filling, you need to syphon liquid through the tube into the 'bladder'. thats why it takes a few minutes.

On my next hike, I tjink I'll take a few extras and run them through a few 'extreme' tests. they have held up well so far to the 'puncture test' (throwing it through a leaf-less bush several time) and the 'splat test' (dropping it froma heaight of about 2 meters). Any ideas for a few tests?