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-   -   Floor pump suggestions (https://www.bikeforums.net/road-cycling/834333-floor-pump-suggestions.html)

TrojanHorse 07-23-12 10:25 AM

Floor pump suggestions
 
Its been a long time since I had to buy a floor pump but my current one is difficult to keep "on" the presta valve... it works well on the kids' schraeder tubes but not presta anymore.

So... all my searches turned up really old threads and I was wondering if there's anything new and shiny out there. What I'd like:
1) Presta only (not a deal breaker)
2) pressure gauge mounted high on the pump for readability
3) Easy to get 120 psi
4) sturdy

I'd rather just buy it once and be done with it, I'm not interested in getting the cheapest pump out there that will work for 3 months, or is difficult to use. Those combo heads seem to be iffy when pumping up presta tubes to high pressure, which is why I'd rather not deal with it. I'd also like a pump that doesn't mangle the presta valve over time. :(

Any thoughts? Thanks.

Elduderino2412 07-23-12 10:28 AM

I hear good things about the specialized pumps, which is what i'm about to get. My current pump sucks. It was a cheapo Nishinki pump. It won't pump up threaded presta valves, b/c it leaks at about 90psi.

joeturner 07-23-12 10:39 AM


Originally Posted by TrojanHorse (Post 14517013)
Its been a long time since I had to buy a floor pump but my current one is difficult to keep "on" the presta valve... it works well on the kids' schraeder tubes but not presta anymore.

So... all my searches turned up really old threads and I was wondering if there's anything new and shiny out there. What I'd like:
1) Presta only (not a deal breaker)
2) pressure gauge mounted high on the pump for readability
3) Easy to get 120 psi
4) sturdy

I'd rather just buy it once and be done with it, I'm not interested in getting the cheapest pump out there that will work for 3 months, or is difficult to use. Those combo heads seem to be iffy when pumping up presta tubes to high pressure, which is why I'd rather not deal with it. I'd also like a pump that doesn't mangle the presta valve over time. :(

Any thoughts? Thanks.

I love my Lezyne Alloy floor pump. It twists on your valves instead of just pushing on, which makes sure you don't lose air taking/putting it off. That and it's a damn good looking pump.

nhluhr 07-23-12 10:46 AM

Lezyne pumps are really "nice" but the old reliable Silca Super Pista is the one that you can find parts for in every shop and will last for 30 years and work really well the whole time.

I've personally had mine for 15 years. I had to replace the rubber washer in the air chuck once and the check valve and leather washer in the body once. Total cost was like $15 for the replacement parts. The air chuck on the Silca is super easy to use (especially on non-threaded presta valves). You just slide it on the valve and you're ready to pump. Need to do a schraeder, just unscrew the presta chuck from the schraeder head. The schraeder head screws onto your valve with no fuss which is nice if you hate those levers on other pump heads.

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/im...2/2356_i_1.jpg

My main beef with the Lezyne pump is the hose. The way they have you stretch it to hook it in place is very svelte but prone to cause the hose to crack as it ages.

datlas 07-23-12 11:01 AM

I am pretty sure the 41 consensus is Lezyne.

That said, I am using a Joe Blow Pro and it is working fine for me after 2 years' use.

Jfitalia 07-23-12 11:17 AM


Originally Posted by datlas (Post 14517224)
I am pretty sure the 41 consensus is Lezyne.

That said, I am using a Joe Blow Pro and it is working fine for me after 2 years' use.


I have the joe blow as well and its great!

datlas 07-23-12 11:28 AM


Originally Posted by Jfitalia (Post 14517304)
I have the joe blow as well and its great!

I think the issue with the Joe Blow Pumps is the head has some issues. Supposedly Topeak does a good job replacing them if/when they fail....again mine is fine but I have heard stories of problems.

getaklug 07-23-12 11:36 AM


Originally Posted by Elduderino2412 (Post 14517032)
I hear good things about the specialized pumps


Specialized pumps are terribly difficult to get to stay on presta valves, you just have to remember to push really hard and make sure the head is straight on and it might work if your lucky

bonz50 07-23-12 11:41 AM

i'm prolly in the minority, but I was cash strapped when I got this one : http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...51_-1___400165

had it for 2 seasons so far, has performed flawlessly.

JohnDThompson 07-23-12 12:11 PM

30+ years good experience with the Silca track pump here.

Seattle Forrest 07-23-12 12:13 PM


Originally Posted by Jfitalia (Post 14517304)
I have the joe blow as well and its great!

I've used one almost daily for a few years. Great pump!

canam73 07-23-12 12:15 PM


Originally Posted by nhluhr (Post 14517130)
My main beef with the Lezyne pump is the hose. The way they have you stretch it to hook it in place is very svelte but prone to cause the hose to crack as it ages.

Seems to me it would be pretty ease to rig up another way to store the hose if you really thought it was an issue.

merlinextraligh 07-23-12 12:15 PM


Originally Posted by TrojanHorse (Post 14517013)
3) Easy to get 120 psi
4) sturdy

I'd rather just buy it once and be done with it, .



The best answer for buying once and forget is the Silca Super Pista.

As alluded to above, it will last forever. Every decade or so, you will need to put a little grease on the leather sleeve, and when you need parts in 20 years, odds are good they'll still be available.

TrojanHorse 07-23-12 12:25 PM

My current pump is one of the performance house brand jobs... but when I went looking for parts, all I found were scathing reviews. It tends to eat presta valves a little and as I mentioned, it's a three handed job now to keep the head on the presta valve and pump at the same time. Not tenable.

The Lezyne pumps look good but some of the review comments indicate maybe it's not for me. People gripe that the Joe Blow pumps are sometimes hard to attach with a good connection on presta valves. I'm leaning Silca I think, but I can't find anything much about them besides "they last forever" which is obviously a good thing. Feature wise, they seem to be nearly ideal.

JustinNY 07-23-12 12:31 PM

I like my serfas pump. It seals well and pumps to 120psi with relative ease.

canam73 07-23-12 12:34 PM

The top of the line Topeak (XO) has a Lezyne style head. Anybody tried it?

StanSeven 07-23-12 01:10 PM


Originally Posted by nhluhr (Post 14517130)

My main beef with the Lezyne pump is the hose. The way they have you stretch it to hook it in place is very svelte but prone to cause the hose to crack as it ages.

I got one of the original design Lezyne and the valve kept coming out when I unscrewed the head. The Lezyne fix was tighten new tube valve with pliers. Others here said use lock tight!

The ultimate fix is Lezyne has a new design but I don't see one advantage to the pump. It's great on a mini pump but having to twist on a head to a valve doesn't make sense. Just pushing on a Silva head (or comparable) and pulling it off when inflated is all that's needed

shelbyfv 07-23-12 01:20 PM

Serfas from REI. I tried the Lezyne and didn't care for screwing the pump head onto the valve. The gauge broke within a week and I returned it to REI. I replaced it with a Serfas pump and have been very pleased with it. It was also some less expensive than the Lezyne. I've used it for about a year.

pablosnazzy 07-23-12 01:28 PM

Serfas or Lezyne is the way to go

GP 07-23-12 01:44 PM

I have an old Silca that doesn't perform as well as the newer model pumps. I keep it in my car for when I drive to a ride.

My $17 Supergo pump was great for several years before the head broke. I replaced it with a Park pump that broke after a couple months.

I plunked down $100 on a Lezyne. It looks nice but the screw-on head isn't as convenient as a press on.

Homebrew01 07-23-12 02:57 PM

For high psi, you need a small diameter barrel. One of the Joe Blow models (Max ?) is large and can barely hit 90.

a1penguin 07-24-12 12:38 AM

I am happy with my Joe Blow Sport. Once I figured out how to position the head, it's perfect. I keep my pump in the house... with my bikes. My recommendation is to buy a pump that you can disassemble, lube and replace the O-ring.

MDfive21 07-24-12 07:04 AM


Originally Posted by bonz50 (Post 14517409)
i'm prolly in the minority, but I was cash strapped when I got this one : http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...51_-1___400165

had it for 2 seasons so far, has performed flawlessly.

i have this one.. http://www.performancebike.com/bikes...551_1075943_-1
works as expected.

songfta 07-24-12 07:31 AM

I've had a Topeak Joe Blow Sport for 11 years now, and love it. The thing with the Topeaks is to get the TwinHead chuck, rather than the self-adapting head. The double-ended head is foolproof, seals well and is easily serviced. The only maintenance I've had to do to the thing is replace the hose, which dry rotted over time (many climate changes over the past 11 years). I can get really high pressures out of this pump (done 145psi, just to see if it was possible).

I also have a Specialized AirTool Comp, which is equally reliable. Had that for 4 years now.

I've had problems with the Silca press-on head - namely, I've broken many presta valve screws when removing the chuck from the valve after inflation. So I can't, in good conscience, recommend their head.

Hiro11 07-24-12 07:41 AM

I bought a $19 Schwinn pump at Target. It's been great for 3 years.


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