Silca Pista
 

So i just got this pump a few days ago and I tried using it for the first time and I got mad leakage and now my tire has less air than before.

http://images.shopping.msn.com/img/2.../151337672.jpg

That's the head i've got, just curious if anyone knew anything that'd be useful.

i can has a pump?

are you seating the pump valve on your tube valve properly?

+1

Make sure to open the valve (I'm assuming you have a presta valve) and press the pump head down until you feel it seat. You should only have to push it a few mm. If you loose air while pumping try pressing it down a bit further or wiggling it a bit; soon you'll find what you need to do to pump with no problems.

i put a new head on one. the seal inside didn't work too well. same problems as you. i tightened the head up some. still no workie. i cleaned the rubber seal with a q tip and rubbing alcohol. still no workie. i took a drill bit that was just a bit tight in the seal and drilled the seal a bit. it will still leak just a bit but it works ok. and as soon as i pull on the head it pops right off the stem (which i like better than it being stuck on there which is a risk to the health of your valvestem to tube relationship).

i bet if you play with the tension on the head you can get it to work right.

If you unscrew the brass head you will find a black rubber gasket. As the rubber ages it hardens and can thus leak air at that spot.

If you go to a quality LBS you should be able to purchase a kit for your Silca Pista pump to renew all the parts which help to make a good air seal. Those Silca pumps can go on indefinitely if maintained properly.

That's what I'm thinking too. It just takes a little getting used to.

I usually let a little air out of he tire before inflating. This seems to help the valve open.

ok, if his valve didn't open, why did he have less air pressure than he started out with?

THAT PUMP IS GARBAGE.
return it immediately.
using it to get air into your tires involves finding a tiny sliver of a window between losing air while you're pumping, and losing air after you're done. finding it requires screwing the presta head just so, then screwing the schrader head to close the seal. undoing it to pull your valve out is a mess. not just that, but only ~35% of your stroke actually pushes air into the tube. Don't bother getting an exchange, it'll be the same issue.
THAT pump is a cheap knockoff of the original, which is (from what i've read) a spectacular tool. I'm inclined to believe that silca sold the rights to manufacture the pump to different standards.
Save yourself the money-- go to your lbs, see what they use and ask them to order you one.

Sounds like you have no idea how to use this pump. There is no schrader head involved, and it pumps up to 120psi very quickly.

haha. well said.

I have this pump, it rules...
JUST PUSH DOWN - on the head and the pump

They're just a bit temperamental. You have to be a bit gentle when you push the head onto the valve, or you'll damage the rubber gasket people have already mentioned, which causes the leakage. I damaged the gasket on mine and just went to Freewheel to get a new one. It works perfectly now, pumps quickly and to a high psi.

once again, captain clueless to the rescue.
the silica pista is a schrader pump with an oversized pista adapter screwed onto the end. And no, it doesn't go to 120 easily. the original model does, but that's not what OP is discussing.

Actually owning and using one daily once again I will stick by what I say. You simply are mistaken.

BTW, the personal attacks are not needed; there is enough BS already on BFSSFG.

i don't know. the silca pump i've used goes to 160psi easily...you're silica must be a cheap imitation or something. dumbass.

and what is this pista adapter and where can i buy one. will that make my road bike a track bike?

sorry. silca/presta. i'd just gotten back from my lunchtime group ride.

bottom line is, i'm smarter than both of you. ergo, the pump is junk and you're mistaken and attempting to cover up for making a poor purchase.

Can we stop with the personal attacks already?

The Pista model I have has a head that will do presta or schraeder. To set it up for schraeder to unscrew the top of the head. take out the plastic washer and the plastic piece inside, put the plastic washer back in first, them insert the plastic piece so the pin part is sticking out. If the OP has the version I have (doesn't look like it) and it's not set up correctly this could be causing the problem.

Otherwise it is either user error or there is something actually wrong with the pump. Since the OP hasn't chimed in since starting this thread we don't know anything more about the pump's age or general condition. For all we know it may not be new.

Well, i'll admit a good part of the problem was the fact I had been smoking large amounts of marijuana when I tried using it the other day. The pump is new, but I had to replace head because the one that was on it was broken when it arrived. I think it was mostly my fault but it was more when I put the new head back on because I think the air is leaking from the point where the little clamp is holding the head on the hose.

Sounds likely. Did you buy it locally or is there a local shop that might be able to check it out for you?

My friend has a Super Pista and it works amazingly well. I had never heard of a Silca pump when I first used it and I was absolutely amazed by how smoothly and effortlessly it got my tires to full pressure.

I ordered it online(it was on sale). There are two fairly good bike shops(i've never been to the one but I am friends with one of their mechanics so they seem good) that i could probably take it to for help. Unfortunately i won't have free time to do something like that until this weekend.

i have one from the 70's that is pretty awesome. it's eddie merck orange and made of columbus tubing! ;-)

Go to an auto parts or hardware store and buy a small hose clamp that closes with a screwdriver if you are having problems with the clamp you currently have. They are very cheap and effective.

I'm actually trying to help someone here, not stoke my ego. Please don't continue to bring the forums down any further.