Classic & Vintage - Ready to give up the Silca pump

I've had this Silca pump for 20 years and now I'm ready to give it up. I've replaced the leather washer twice, the rubber gasket three times and cleaned out the release valve a bunch of times too, and replaced the air hose and the handle. For the last year, I've noticed that no matter what I do it either leaks around the chuck, or refuses to release the valve stem. I like the durability factor but now I just want something that will work more smoothly. I want a good grip on the valve stem and quick easy release. I don't care about quick or easy pressure to pump up, but I do want quality and durability and replaceable parts so I don't have to toss it in the garbage in two years.

Garth

Get either a Zefal HP-X or a Blackburn full-size frame-fit pump. (I have at least one of each.) You won't regret it.

It was the floor pump I'm interested in.

Topeak JoeBlows are pretty nice - one of the smaller local shops uses them exclusively.

Stay away from anything Blackburn, particularly those so-called high-end TP-5s. Junk.

-Kurt

My Silca roke in half after twenty odd years. I used plastic packaging tape, and taped it back together since I had no other pump, and guess what? The pump works every bit as good as it did before it broke. I just used it for a flat this past Sunday, and it pumped my tire over one hundred pounds. Imagine that, and it literally was broken in two right in the middle of the tube. I personally am very reluctant to part with my very reliable pump.

Stay away from anything Blackburn, particularly those so-called high-end TP-5s. Junk.


Not mine. I LOVE it, and use the hell out of it on my personal fleet as well as all the bikes I flip. Has a lifetime warranty, too.

I have a collection of Silca floor pumps so I've never worn one completely out. I'd say if you want the "Cadillac" buy a Park floor pump, I'm sure they sell replacement parts for them...not a cheap item, tho. I have fornd that the original big brass presta-only "bell" shaped head is more forgiving and durable than the combo presta/shraeder head.

I have a Blackburn on my mt. bike, & have been very happy. It did break, but a lifetime warranty is a great thing! I also have a Topeak Joeblow Sport (yellow) & love it.

Chris

My Silca floor pump (made from Columbus tubing!) is going on 20+ years. I've never changed the gasket, chuck, hose, or anything. Works great.

Neal

You got 20 years out of a silca - that's longer than I got out of my first one.

I consider the Silca a "show" item - for looks only - and use Zefal HPs for daily topping off etc. The Silca is pretty much along for the ride so to speak- however it I have used to inflat e a spare in the past.

my silca is still going strong ~20 years in. columbus tubing baby! my columbus bikes wouldn't have it any other way...

I've had this Silca pump for 20 years and now I'm ready to give it up. I've replaced the leather washer twice, the rubber gasket three times and cleaned out the release valve a bunch of times too, and replaced the air hose and the handle. For the last year, I've noticed that no matter what I do it either leaks around the chuck, or refuses to release the valve stem. I like the durability factor but now I just want something that will work more smoothly. I want a good grip on the valve stem and quick easy release. I don't care about quick or easy pressure to pump up, but I do want quality and durability and replaceable parts so I don't have to toss it in the garbage in two years.

Garth

Hmmm...is it silver? How long is is it compressed/uncompressed. I need one for show. I use CO2 for actually pumping the tires if I have a flat on the road.

It lasted you twenty years, why not just get another one?

My Silca floor pump (made from Columbus tubing!) is going on 20+ years. I've never changed the gasket, chuck, hose, or anything. Works great.

Neal

I had my first one last about 18 years. Then I ran over it with the car!! The pressure gauge died from it's injuries, so I bought a new one. Guess I'm good for another 18 years.
And my darling little children DO NOT get to PLAY with this one!! :p

It lasted you twenty years, why not just get another one?

Exactly.

Mine will be 10 pretty soon.

A pump for SHOW? I want one of those Cyclaire doo-hickeys to shove in jersey or wedge pack. I much prefer the look of most of my bikes WITHOUT a pump!

It lasted you twenty years, why not just get another one?


Lasting 20 years and being functional are 2 different things. I used Silcas back in my shop days. Although they are a durable pump that last years others are more user friendly.

I'd rather replace a pump thats user friendly every 5 years than deal with a more difficult pump for 20.

snip…
I'd rather replace a pump thats user friendly every 5 years than deal with a more difficult pump for 20.

Well, the same could be said about girlfriends vs. wives ;)

…but seriously folks, apart from the nice head, I don't think my Silca to be as nice or as easy to use as my Park Tools PFP-2

- Wil

Not mine. I LOVE it, and use the hell out of it on my personal fleet as well as all the bikes I flip. Has a lifetime warranty, too.

Which one do you have? The current model, or the '05 with aluminum casing? If the latter, I have no disagreement with that - I had one, and although I didn't care for the pump head, was very pleased with it - until the seals started leaking.

Blackburn sent me the current TP-5 (Edit: "Air Tower 5." They probably re-named it as to not to insult the original TP-5...) in replacement, and I've had nothing but bad experiences with it. Have a look: http://www.epinions.com/content_319661575812

Take care,

-Kurt

My 28? year old Zefal hp works better on presta than my Bell floor pump. If it ever gives out, I'll replace it with the exact same thing.

Topeak JoeBlows are pretty nice - one of the smaller local shops uses them exclusively.

Stay away from anything Blackburn, particularly those so-called high-end TP-5s. Junk.

-Kurt

+1 on the Joe Blow. My Silca now sits in the corner.

A pump for SHOW? I want one of those Cyclaire doo-hickeys to shove in jersey or wedge pack. I much prefer the look of most of my bikes WITHOUT a pump!

I love that fancy Silca crest and my Campy pump umbrella. And it was oem on my bike. But, yeah, it's pretty clean with out the pump so I'm not in any hurry.

Ahhh.....

Two things:

1) I have an older TP-5 "Team", that I bought used on CL over 2 years ago. Sturdy as all get-out, and works great. I had to call Blackburn to get a pump head rebuild kit, as I wore out the internal plastic nibs airing up so many bikes with it. The sent the kit cheerfully, and for free.

2) Thanks for the warning on the "Air Tower 5"!! They had offered to exchange, free of charge, my old pump for a new one. I had intended to take them up on it, but never got around to sending in my old unit because I kept getting sidetracked. Now, I don't think I will. :D

Thanks for the warning!!!



Which one do you have? The current model, or the '05 with aluminum casing? If the latter, I have no disagreement with that - I had one, and although I didn't care for the pump head, was very pleased with it - until the seals started leaking.

Blackburn sent me the current TP-5 (Edit: "Air Tower 5." They probably re-named it as to not to insult the original TP-5...) in replacement, and I've had nothing but bad experiences with it. Have a look: http://www.epinions.com/content_319661575812

Take care,

-Kurt

I have a blackburn TPS-2 and I have trouble pulling the head away from the valve stem on prestas. I haven't tried it on a schrader yet. Plus, the thing is hard as heck to pump up to even 120 psi! It's easier just to use my road morph...

I got it a few weeks ago on performance or nashbar for about 18 bucks and I could probably still return it but I'll spend atleast 5-10 bucks in the shipping there and back if I want to exchange it for a joe blow sport or a different topeak pump. I'll probably just sell the pump at college after using it for a bit. I figure I'll get about 10-15 bucks for it. In hindsight I wish I'd spent the 5 bucks more for the topeak pump. My loyalty is with topeak as far as pumps go.

I thought I'd get the blackburn since I have one of their multitools and it's pretty good, but I don't think I'm going to get a blackburn pump again.

Sorry for the ramble/rant.

my silca is still going strong ~20 years in. columbus tubing baby! my columbus bikes wouldn't have it any other way...

Being a Reynolds snob, I don't partake of columbus tubing :p

I love that fancy Silca crest and my Campy pump umbrella. And it was oem on my bike. But, yeah, it's pretty clean with out the pump so I'm not in any hurry.

Same here, but I had to ditch the campy umbrella head though because on my bike it was right over the 531 decal and ruined it :mad: so, I got a frame fitting pump, black, but it's still nice.

Ahhh.....

Two things:

1) I have an older TP-5 "Team", that I bought used on CL over 2 years ago. Sturdy as all get-out, and works great. I had to call Blackburn to get a pump head rebuild kit, as I wore out the internal plastic nibs airing up so many bikes with it. The sent the kit cheerfully, and for free.

2) Thanks for the warning on the "Air Tower 5"!! They had offered to exchange, free of charge, my old pump for a new one. I had intended to take them up on it, but never got around to sending in my old unit because I kept getting sidetracked. Now, I don't think I will. :D

Thanks for the warning!!!

Bossman, I'd give my two (or four, rather) back teeth for that TP-5 Team pump. Not only is the head properly rebuildable (even if a bit hard to manage), it WORKS, as opposed to the Air Tower 5.

Don't bother with their replacement nonsense either. It'll take two weeks for you to get it, as they use the slowest shipping possible. In my case, they sent out an Air Tower 4, which required me to send it BACK (with a pre-paid, UPS Ground sticker), and wait another three weeks for them to ship out the Air Tower 5, for they could not (or rather, would not) ship out the Air Tower 5 until they received the Air Tower 4 back. I got back at them with my review of the Air Tower 5's lousiness on Epinions...

-Kurt

+1 Joe Blow Fan