smd4

I’d like to get a chrome Silca frame pump, maybe with a Campy head. From seat tube to head tube, measured under the top tube, is 21 inches (53.34 cm). What size, uncompressed, should I be looking for? How much do they compress? There don’t seem to be many over 20”. Thanks.

steelbikeguy

I've used Silca pumps for a long time, and my experience is that the chromed pumps were a strange and final variation of the Impero. The pump head, IIRC, doesn't come off, so you can't put on a Campy head. ... although I've been using my stash of the chromed pumps for so long that I forget the specifics. I suspect that I tried to remove the head, because it's really not very nice.

With that out of the way, I do have these on a few bikes. Two are on seat tubes of 62cm c-t frames, so they were made in large sizes.



Steve in Peoria

merziac

They need to compress a fair amount to stay in place without a strap.

TT to BB is best for the reason above but takes up a water bottle space.

I have at least a dozen over 20in. they can be scarce on the ground.

I only have 1 chrome one that has the really crappy plastic head, it does not work very well and does not seem to be changeable, it is really just a prop.

I don't think a C+V bike is complete without one, preferably paint to match.

I have built up a collection by snatching them up when I see one here, efbay, at the co-ops and on any bike I buy can make the deal if a nice one is involved.

And there's always the brand new ones but $$$$$$, I have 3 including 1 paint to match.

Good luck, you may have your work cut out for you to find the right size in a color that works.

merziac

But they are oh so beautiful.

26 1/2 in or 67cm Paramount.

smd4

Thanks. My Cinelli has a pump peg, which I intend to use. Chrome will match the bike’s accents, so no need for matching paint. I’ll keep a lookout but I’m hoping to get a good recommendation for size.

merziac

I get it but as we said above, the crappy head on the chrome ones are almost non functional so I would plan on carrying an inflator.

Of course the pump peg must be utilized, incomplete otherwise.

I'll try and come up with a size recommendation, I think it varies a bit depending on the space as well.

I would strongly consider a silver one as well for variety and/or backup, they can be found with the Campy heads so would actually be functional.

Many that you will find don't work well or at all, I have always been able to get them back online at least well enough to get me home.

Many are cracked at the top of the main tube and some can be cracked at the bottom under the silver sleeve so I always check them.

Another thing that can help is to use a hook to pull the spring down out of the handle and stretch it out for more tension to hold it in place on the frame. They reseat them selves by just compressing with the handle.

merziac

@smd4

I'm gonna say you want at least 1in. of compression minimum, I want 1.25-1.50 I think,

Good rubber feet help too, I use black vacuum caps so not correct but my pumps never fall out.

steelbikeguy

I'm not as down on the heads on the chromed Silcas.. I do use them, and haven't had a problem. Of course, I'm also happy with the original plastic heads on the classic Impero.

I do think there is an inherent risk in relying on a 20 or 30 year old plastic pump that was kinda crappy to begin with. Age is not kind to plastic, and the Silca Impero (or the chromed version) wasn't made with plastic that was intended to last for decades. I suppose I am fortunate that mine are rarely exposed to much UV light, and perhaps that is an advantage for a chromed pump. There's a lot to be said for a Zefal HP pump when you really want a pump that will always work!

Steve in Peoria

Kabuki12

This one came on this rusty ItalVega . It was green when I got the bike and I couldn’t figure out why someone would put a green pump on this bike. The bike had been left in a field by the ocean ….for years! When I started my restoration , I realized the pump was green with patina and it cleaned up chrome AND it still worked! I put a Campy head on it and it stays put even in gravel roads.

merziac

They can work but seem not to want to well when I really need them too, maybe I'm not holding my mouth right.

steelbikeguy

It's all about the technique!

I have had issues with the washer not sealing well, which usually requires flexing the leather washer open a bit and adding a little grease or vasoline to improve the seal. The quality of the washer seems to be a bit poorer than the classic Impero, but that also applies to the pump overall.

Steve in Peoria

merziac

TT to BB always hold them in way better with a "V" at both ends and most any jolt can't dislodge the bottom end, almost nowhere for them to go.

Ross200

There are some decent chrome paints available that might give you the shine you desire.

It is also possible to shorten a Silca if you find one that is a bit too long for your application. Most likely NOT a problem for Merziac?

SJX426 

I used to carry mine utilizing the pump nub on the HT. It rattled and one time actually fell off while riding.
I only have two with Campy heads. They are different sizes with only one really fitting the larger frames. The smaller one was purchased back in the '70s so it has spent its life with me.
They both work, just not well enough to take the pressure to 120. It can be done but like other said, it is dependent on the technique. Wrap your index finger around the head, have the valve pointed down or have the wheel "hanging" from the pump head, then pump. Getting to 100psi is tolerable but the rest is too much for my old arms.
Both are in a storage bin now.

Pump 1 on 59 ST
P1050284 on Flickr

Pump 2 on 56.5 ST
B_Y_DS on Flickr

styggno1

I am with Merziac on this - but metric - 25 to 40 mm compression is what to look for.

Maybe I do not understand correctly some of the posts above - it seems like some say there are no chrome Silcas that you can fit a Campagnolo head to?

I have never seen a chrome Silca that a Campagnolo head does not fit. I have four or five chrome Silcas and I have Campag heads on all of them.

smd4

Guys, functional and complete is all I'm looking for. I won't be using it to actually pump up my tires.

Thanks!

Ago15

....

madpogue 

Huh? You ARE looking for "functional" but WON'T be using it to pump up your tires? Um, what other function is there (except to ward off potential dog bites....)?

And +1 on post # 15; I recall having two chrome Imperos with the Campy end.

smd4

To look good.

People collect all kinds of things that aren't used for their intended purposes--but could if required.

smd4

I'm curious about this as well. There appear to be different models of Silca pumps? Can someone summarize them, and which one accept Campy heads, and which don't? Do the Campy heads add appreciably to the overall pump dimensions?

madpogue 

Which, unless I'm missing something, is the opposite of "functional"....

The Campy end adds slightly less to the overall length than the cheap plastic Silca end does. Not much IIRC, maybe 1 cm, maybe less.

smd4

Yes, you're missing something. Just because something IS functional, doesn't mean I am REQUIRED to make use of that function. I've got completely functional vintage pocket watches that I utilize once every several years. My everyday watch is not a pocket watch. The vintage-looking water bottles I use to display on my bike are not the ones I use on rides.

Thanks for that. I may try to locate a nice head first--seems like they're easier to find.

smd4

So if I'm putting this information together correctly, for a pump to fit where I want it, I'm looking at an uncompressed length of about 22.5", and if I use a Campy head, maybe 22 inches, or in centimeters, about 56 - 57 CM, minus about a 1 CM if I use a Campy head?

daverup 

I've got a chrome Silca pump that changing the head on does not seem possible. It is molded into the lower section.

merziac

You're giving me way too much credit here, shortening one would be a very last resort, I have however thought about lengthening one and hiding it under the sleeve at the bottom and it would surely be nonfunctional.