Anyone use a silca frame pump?
 

Looking for a nice frame pump to go along with my new torelli... I think this one would go great with the chrome on the bike...and I know they make terrific floor pumps...

Was just wondering if anyone had any experience with one of these...

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/dyn_docs/1677-774.jpg

I have very limited experience. It seemed a good pump & I tried it out 1 time. If you get one, I suggest a velcro tie of some kind, I lost one off my Gran Sasso in less than a week! Still not sure how it came off without me noticing. Replaced it with a Road Morph & haven't been able to shake it loose so far. Don

I have one on my Eisentraut - tubing/geometry are classic, so pump complements it extremely well. Mine has a chromed Campy head, adds a nice touch. The pump works fine, but as classic frame pumps go, the Zefal hpx has a locking head which is nice (just doesn't look as refined - and as Ricardo always said, "It is better to look good than to feel good..." ;) Seriously, you'll have no problem with using it on the road. Takes some practice at first to hold it down on the valve and brace behind it with your finger(s) behind the head while you push. The Road Morph is a better functional pump. The advice about a strap is good if your peg on your frame is not an extremely good fit and/or the spring action doesn't have a pretty positive push. Look for clearance between the handle and frame to make sure that bouncing won't scratch/wear your paint at that point.

I've used Silca frame pumps exclusively for the last 10 years or so. Nicest looking frame pumps out there. I have the same two I originally purchased- they last and they're very lightweight. One piece of advice is look on ebay for a Campy head, the plastic Silca heads aren't the greatest. I found the best method for me is to brace the wheel against the inside of my thigh while inflating. And I put the valve stem nut on while inflating, it helps keep the valve stem steady.

I used one in the 70s and mid 80s. The rubber insert will start to fray after too many on and off the presta valve pump ups. Solution, use a floor pump for regular pumping and use the Silca frame pump for road repairs. I use a Silca floor pump and it's trouble free.

Is this the type of Campy head you guys are talking about?

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...sPageName=WDVW

Jakey,

Not quite the Campy head you want, although close. The little tang on the side with the setscrew was used to mount this particular head on an old Zefal or other aluminum pump. The Silca one didn't have the tang and had a square profile at the base of the pump threading that matched the square cutout in the base of the sleeve that covered the bottom end of the pump.

Everyone is right -- the Campy steel pump head is the way to go, but there's an art to holding it with your non-pumping hand hooking the feet, rim and tire all together and then removing it with a fist blow to the sleeve.

Get an old Silca pump, not the Silca frame pumps still made today. The old ones had a threaded brass nipple on the end, while the current ones have plastic. The old ones had better molding and construction overall.

I saw this one for auction...but it doesn't look like its in the best shape... only 20 min left though... my bike will have red though...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...127025271&rd=1

I got 4 out of a dumpster behind a bike shop about 5 years ago. :)

I just want a nice classy looking one for my new custom steel bike... Maybe I'll just get a Zefal painted...

The Silca will pump up to a higher PSI than the zefal (at least thats
what I remember).
Be careful with the Silca, they are known to blow the back end off
the pump (they arc really well across a road if aimed right!) the thing
to do is to not let go of the back end of the pump so it doesn't shoot
off.
There was some detailed info about why this occurs on CR list about a year
ago, I'll see if I can dig it out of the archives and repost it here.

Marty

I forgot about that! I scratched a car at a century in 1982. I was pumping a tire and the sucker blew off and hit an old junk rusted out Corolla. The young lady I was with at the time laughed so hard she peed her pants! :)

I agree with steelrider and lotek...but rpm or psi? to get high psi, requires a good workout. the blackburn frame pump will get you there with less stress on the arm and you won't have to worry about the blowback...you might be able to have it painted. or use the silca and just be careful and not pump it past 80 psi.

Yeah, it is a good workout, but I don't have any issues getting to 100 - I always have hands on the pump, so blowback not an issue. I just work it off valve with my left hand while holding pump handle with my right...

Ok, Brainfart there.
fixed it PSI not RPM. . . Doh.
I can easily get 100 out of the silca, but the blowback over that
can be stupendous. Maybe we can host
The First Annual Silca Blowback competitions.
prizes for most distance, marksmanship, and form !

Marty