Your favorite floor pump?
#4
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silca pista.. kind of like the campagnolo of pumps..everything that can get worn out is replaceable/repairable.
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I agree with bluenote. my Silca pista has been trustworthy for years with very little maintenance. it has spent time in the trunk, long periods in storage and always works. this simple no frills pump works when needed and is worth its weight in Columbus tubing.
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Silca Pista. Not the easiest to use but, by far, one of the most durable available. And, as noted, repairable indefinitely.
The other candidate is the no-longer-made Maidai "Top" also sold under the "Cyclepro" name. Heavy as an anvil but extremely durable and rugged. It's too bad you can't buy them anymore.
I have both of the above pumps and have no experience with the newer models since neither of these will wear out.
The other candidate is the no-longer-made Maidai "Top" also sold under the "Cyclepro" name. Heavy as an anvil but extremely durable and rugged. It's too bad you can't buy them anymore.
I have both of the above pumps and have no experience with the newer models since neither of these will wear out.
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Best out of the box - probably Specialized AirTool Pro. Looks good, idiot-proof ease of use, wide base, pressure release valve.
Best warranty & product support - Blackburns. Only company I know of that still honors a lifetime warranty. I had a floor pump that I used the hell out of over several years. It eventually died beyond repair. I sent in the pieces to Blackburn w/ a short note, and they sent me a brand new pump back.
Silcas aren't the only pumps that are rebuildable & servicable. Anytime I've needed a replacement gasket, head, whatever from Blackburn, all I've had to do was ask, and they'd send it to me, no charge. Hard to complain about that kind of service.
I don't think their pumps work quite as nicely as some of their competitors, but their warranty keeps me loyal to the brand.
Best retro-cred - Silca. I use to use them at the shop and owned one. I really don't understand the appeal. They're clunky and not at all user-friendly. I alway had to hold the head w/ one hand and pump w/ the other (or enlist someone else's assistance) when pumping a tire to high pressure.
Worst overall line - Zefal. I've never used a Zefal that I didn't find to be flimsy and a PITA.
I like the Joe Blow series, but Topeak drastically cut back their warranty. They used to have a near lifetime warranty.
Best warranty & product support - Blackburns. Only company I know of that still honors a lifetime warranty. I had a floor pump that I used the hell out of over several years. It eventually died beyond repair. I sent in the pieces to Blackburn w/ a short note, and they sent me a brand new pump back.
Silcas aren't the only pumps that are rebuildable & servicable. Anytime I've needed a replacement gasket, head, whatever from Blackburn, all I've had to do was ask, and they'd send it to me, no charge. Hard to complain about that kind of service.
I don't think their pumps work quite as nicely as some of their competitors, but their warranty keeps me loyal to the brand.
Best retro-cred - Silca. I use to use them at the shop and owned one. I really don't understand the appeal. They're clunky and not at all user-friendly. I alway had to hold the head w/ one hand and pump w/ the other (or enlist someone else's assistance) when pumping a tire to high pressure.
Worst overall line - Zefal. I've never used a Zefal that I didn't find to be flimsy and a PITA.
I like the Joe Blow series, but Topeak drastically cut back their warranty. They used to have a near lifetime warranty.
#12
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The Park Tools PFP2&4 are good. They both are rebuildable.
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Porter-Cable CPFC2TV3520W air compressor.
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Silcas, TopPeak, Pedro's and others, I have. Most pumps go to 160lbs. Silcas to 200 which is a consideration for sew-ups and a few Hi-press clinchers. Maybe other Co.s have higher press. models as well. Two of the pumps I have around for others to use; easy to read, high possition guages and easy to attach to the valve. I don't have the fat types which are designed to provide volume with fewer strokes. Using the pumps for Hybrids & roadbikes is more important to me.
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In the shop nothing beats the air compressor. Out of the shop: We have 2 joe blows and a park
#20
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I have the Topeak Joe Blow Ace dual piston and the Lezyne Classic floor pumps.
The Topeak is excellent IMO after the standard chuck is replaced. The 3 selections for volume versus ease of pumping is a feature I like.
The Lezyne is good so far and the chuck design is very secure and easily inverted for Schrader or Presta use selection. I also like the fact it is basically all metal construction.
The Topeak is excellent IMO after the standard chuck is replaced. The 3 selections for volume versus ease of pumping is a feature I like.
The Lezyne is good so far and the chuck design is very secure and easily inverted for Schrader or Presta use selection. I also like the fact it is basically all metal construction.
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#21
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johnknappcc - "Still wondering how much that pump set you back."
Answer: $140 + shipping. Pump and Hirame chuck. More now as the Hirame has gone up in $$$.
It reads to 17 Bar - which is 246.56 PSI.
Answer: $140 + shipping. Pump and Hirame chuck. More now as the Hirame has gone up in $$$.
It reads to 17 Bar - which is 246.56 PSI.
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I have the Blackburn Airtower 3. I got it because of the Blackburn warranty. The first time I used the pump it broke. Thank goodness for that warranty!
#23
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I think I paid a bit less for my Renkompressor 75th A ... and didn't (yet, at least) get the Hirame chuck.
But ... I'm quite confident that this is the sort of pump that lasts a lifetime.
The first "R" in the environmental mantra of "RRR" IS reduce. I'm probably not going to get away without using a bike pump, but one that may never need replacing ... is a start.
So far, the stock chuck has worked just fine for me (particularly since I'm in an all-Presta household).
Is there ANY way to morph this into a chain lube thread??
But ... I'm quite confident that this is the sort of pump that lasts a lifetime.
The first "R" in the environmental mantra of "RRR" IS reduce. I'm probably not going to get away without using a bike pump, but one that may never need replacing ... is a start.
So far, the stock chuck has worked just fine for me (particularly since I'm in an all-Presta household).
Is there ANY way to morph this into a chain lube thread??
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In the spirit of full disclosure I also own a Silca Super Pista with a Hirame chuck. Although that configuration works well on my bicycle my wife and son's bicycles have Schrader valves which makes the Silca/Hirame combination useless. There are some things about the Silca that really bother me. Such as the plastic piece which covers the top of the pump body. What a horrible choice of material for that part. It should be steel and threaded onto the pump body. The chuck also leaves much to be desired. I never could get it to stay firmly attached without leaking hence the purchase of the Hirame chuck.
The Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive is all metal with a nice classic wooden handle that has a metal core for durability. It has an easily reversible chuck which works perfectly with either valve type. It takes slightly longer to affix the chuck to valve but there is no chance of damage to the valve with the Lezyne system.
The Lezyne is what I wish the Silca could have been.
The Lezyne Alloy Floor Drive is all metal with a nice classic wooden handle that has a metal core for durability. It has an easily reversible chuck which works perfectly with either valve type. It takes slightly longer to affix the chuck to valve but there is no chance of damage to the valve with the Lezyne system.
The Lezyne is what I wish the Silca could have been.
Last edited by kaseri; 09-24-09 at 06:05 PM.