Earlier this year, I bought a Silca floor pump. It came with a complicated pump head. There is a tip that threads onto the valve and is reversible, using a quick release, for presta or Schraeder. I really don't like the pump head, because it is slow to use, got stuck so I couldn't separate the tip from the quick release, and finally ceased allowing air to pass. It looks like this, more or less:



Except that mine is now in pieces as I had to disassemble it to get the tip unstuck.

So I want to put on a different pump head. I only really need to inflate presta, since I use my air compressor for Schraeder valves, although the ability to inflate Schraeder as well would be a slight convenience. I'm looking for a head that is quick to use and will last forever or close to it. Oh, and not crazy expensive. I usually pump to 100-120 psi if it matters.

What do you recommend?

I like the EVA head on my SKS pump for Presta. It works for Shrader too, but not as well because you have to insert it quite a bit to get it to depress the pin.

With a double barbed butt insert and a couple of tiny hose clamp you can install any chuck you like from any floor pump made that I've seen. So you could go to your LBS and ask to look through their misc. "used" pump hoses, pick the one that seems to do what you want then splice it into your Silca hose.

I prefer the twin holed chucks VS the "smart" single holed ones. But at home I use a dedicated PV chuck (many year old Zefal Double Shot) and the damsel in distress adapter for SV. Andy.

I like the Silca brass head for presta with replacable seal washer. It softens up after a hundred uses or so and is great until the seal finally wears out but then you just unscrew it and put in a new washer and start all over. I have one that is about 20 years old and has had washer replaced 3 times.

Thanks for the suggestions. I repaired the pump head - needed to file down the diameter of the tip where it inserts into the body of the quick release. So now the tip doesn't get jammed in the quick release and I also applied a bit of grease. At least my pump works. But I still don't like the design of the thing.

If you really want the best Presta-only chuck and cost isn't a major object, the Hirame pump head is absolutely it. Look here:Amazon.com : KUWAHARA HIRAME Pump Head Yoko with Hose Band : Sporting Goods : Sports & Outdoors

It looks great, but Santa's bag won't stretch that big . . .

[EDIT] well, maybe. It is only another $30 over a run of the mill head after all. Dear Santa?

Tell Santa if he will spring for the Hirame, you will never have to ask for another pump head, ever.

I find the Topeak Twinhead chuck works pretty well, and replacement seal kits are available for when the seals wear out: Amazon.com : Topeak Twinhead Bicycle Floor Pump Upgrade Kit : Floor Bike Pumps : Sports & Outdoors

https://www.amazon.com/Topeak-Rebuild..._bxgy_sg_img_y

I was going to suggest this one (and can vouch for it being a "once in a lifetime purchase", but originally the OP said "not crazy expensive" (and to me the Hirame definitely fits this definition)

I got this one for the pump I keep in my bike locker at work. I've never used it since I put it in there (though co-workers have), but I'm still fighting with myself to not get another Hirame for that pump too - they're that much better (IMHO).

SILCA - Manufacturers of the finest pumps and tools for bicycles
is the posh new US division started by the guy that bought out the old Italian company. It seems left the Old one in Italy.
https://www.silcapompe.it/index_en.htm
30.0 is a screw on Schrader and a threaded version of the 24.0 that has served me without much issue for 30 years.

My only issue was user errors pushing it onto the stem much further than necessary.

this piece 2220 screws on a schrader stem to use a presta pump 2220 - Silca Pompe

but as the adapter opens the S/V valve core one would have it in the P/V pump head first..

Ah yes, I have the "60.0" and "60.1" parts. I thought it was pretty cool when I first got it, but having to thread part 60.1 onto the valve, with limited room for one's fingers to grip the part as it sites between the spokes, is time consuming and inconvenient.

I got a Medai pump back then too, its A right angle Schrader thumblock .. 2 separate pumps. ..

+1
Mine is about 20 years old and still works great. The internal rubber seal is replaceable. Generally pump head seals last longer if you avoid buying tubes with threaded valve stems.

Repeat .. NB: Dont Push the gasket onto the stem threads it is Unnecessary , there is a smooth band right under the cap thread. that seals Fine there.

you Do Not have to avoid buying tubes with threaded valve stems.

i founf that if I use a threadless valve stem that the gasket does not have enough grip to stay on at higher pressures. Maybe I have worn out the gasket too much on mine already?

I try to keep it simple. I have 2 Silca floor pumps. One for each valve.

For Presta, I cut the hose and use this with a hose clamp.


For Schraeder, I use a 90 degree Topeak head:

Every twin-holed head I've used a lot has eventually refused to pump, because air is going out the wrong hole. Sometimes that's a "it's broken" failure, sometimes it's just whatever magic that's supposed to send air through the path of most resistance has not worked. Never had a single holed head fail that way....

+1
Threadless stems are less trouble in the long run.

The one two hole head I've owned had that problem. It used a rubber ball as a check valve between the two entry holes and the valve stem in use pushed the ball sideways to block the other hole. At least that was the way it was supposed to work and, for a while, it did. After it stopped being reliable, I spent the money for the Hirame and never had another problem. I believe the :"Hiro" Soil_Sampler posted is the same thing.

... could be .. Once I stopped pushing the air chuck on too far, I also had the new gasket wear drop to near zero.

the 'Hiro' piece in 20th post is also shown on the US silca.cc site.

Same, but different.


It is not made by Kuwahara.


HIRAME - KUWAHARA BIKE WORKS





TriRig.com - Gallery: Get Pumped: Inflation Shootout

OK, functionally and mechanically they seem to be identical despite different makers. From the Silca web site the Hiro seems to be nearly twice the cost of the Hirame but, of course, Silca sells them so that's not surprising. I expect it doesn't work any better.

I bought a used Silca brass 30.0 head at the coop for $18. May need a new seal.

Also picked up two Silca frame pumps with Campagnolo heads. They get $30 for those. Not really a bargain but I figure you can never have too many.

The damn 60.0 head isn't working. I must have assembled it incorrectly, check valve backwards? When I try to inflate a tire, air escapes from the pump head instead of going into the tire.