tete_eteinte

Hey everyone,

I've been riding around New York for about a week without any spare tubes on me and without a floor pump in my apartment. No flats yet, but I'm afraid my luck will run out soon. The tubes are the easy part; what's really got me stumped is trying to figure out what kind of floor pump is worth any amount of money.

I'm looking for something heavy-duty and user serviceable--if necessary--and though Silca keeps popping up in all of my searches, it seems to have garnered a dubious reputation around here (and elsewhere)... are they really as temperamental as some posts/reviews would have it? Has quality taken a dive in recent years, or is this just a matter of regular preventative maintenance neglected by some and attended to by others? Pista vs. Superpista arguments?

The SKS Rennkompressor caught my eye and I've found less negative feedback on it (maybe because it's more obscure in the States?) but I'm having trouble finding a US retailer; I found one "bikemania.biz" though I'm wondering if anyone's ever dealt with them. Trustworthy? Reliable? Scam?

It's wonderful riding over glass and nails and gravel and who knows what else on my daily commute.

Help!

(Oh, and thanks, too!)

Panthers007

I use a cheap (IMO) Blackburn Airtower II. Fits Presta & Schrader valves. Works fine and takes up little space.

brooklyn_bike

i got a used Park PFP-3 Home Mechanic Floor Pump on CL for 10.00. the rubber gasket was chewed up from the previous owner pushing too far onto threaded prestas. i called Park to order a couple new gaskets and they sent me an entire new head replacement for free - didn't even charge me shipping. its been solid for more than two years since...

jstraw97

I love my Blackburn Airtower 4. Found it for a great price on Amazon a couple of years ago. You could find a good deal online as the retail prices are a bit high for a floor pump. It's been indestructible so far.

HillRider

My Silca has been absolutely bullet proof but, since it's about 15 years old, I can't comment on the current ones.

What is touchy is their "Presta Only" brass head. It is heavy enough to beat someone to death and a bit tricky to keep a seal on the stem, particularly threaded ones, but it never broke. A new washer periodically is all it needs. The newer heads may or may not be easier to use. I do know Silca made a Presta/Schrader dual head a while ago that was not supposed to work very well but that design has been superseded.

The "Superpista" is, AFAIK, just a taller version of the Pista and requires fewer but longer strokes to fill a given tire.

Hawaiiwrench

Same here, and i have the old PFP-2, impeccable customer service.
This pump has brought thousands of tires up to pressure, often tubulars and still is so easy to use i shudder to think of using any other, Silca included.

Panthers007

I would like to offer a warning: Nashbar L'Orange floor pump. One of these blew up in my face. The head of the pump sent chunks of itself all over - hitting me in the face in the process. Stay away from there. Your eyes will thank you.

bicycleflyer

My silca has been good too. I replaced the valve head with a topeak model. I actually had the topeak valve head (kit) installed on the Silca's predecessor, so I did not have to purchase it. I know the last thing you would want to do after dropping 40 bucks on a pump is spend another 20 on a valve head kit. My point was that you can replace those things. My only real problem with the Silca is the tiny pressure guage is all the way down on the floor. My 40 something eyes arn't what they used to be.

I also have a Park PFP-3 and can recommend it without hesitation. In fact I tend to favor the park model over my Silca because the guage is larger, higher, and easier to read. I just wished it was top mounted. But halfway sure is better than on the floor. I now keep the Silca in the back of the car and the Park in my shop.

Specialized is another model to consider. I bought one as a gift for my little brother. It had one of those "smart-heads" that has worked flawlessly. He does not take as good a care of his gear as I do, but that pump is going strong. The only thing I have against it is the guage is too low for me.. But he is young and it is no problem for him.

Rebuild kits are available for all the models listed above.

10 Wheels

Serfas F 50 $25 at your bike shop.
I use it everyday.
LifeTime Warranty.
Bought one last March. Last Week One of the piston caps came off. Don't know how or why.
Took it to my bike shop.
They gave me a brand New One.

https://www.serfas.com/product_details.asp?ID=225

Unapomer

I bought my Rennkompressor for $49 here:https://www.blueskycycling.com/cat-pump/2/n
I also have a Pista track pump, I've rebuilt it twice and parts are available online from many places.