[quote=asterisk]I’ve had an old Silca Super Pista for years:
goes to stratospheric pressures for road tires
takes forever to move enough volume for mtb tires
the valve seal takes a beating with threaded valve stems, works better with smooth valve stems (Michelin tubes)
parts available to replace anything on the pump
pressure gauge readings are pretty close to my digital gauge
clampless head is not easy to use for non-bikey people
Dirt Rag reviewed the SKS aircon for mtbs a few months ago and gave it positive marks.[/quote]
This, everything. Could not have narrowed it down better. The worst part is having to babysit even bike savvy people when they want to borrow the pump. If you’re not careful it WILL pull out your valve core.
i have one of the planet bike pumps with the dumb ergo handle. it was cheap (~$30) and it has a lifetime warranty, which i’ve had to use once in the past two years. i emailed them a pic and they sent me a new part, no questions asked. i typically go up to 100-120psi with no problems. it does feel kinda flimsy since it’s pretty much all plastic though.
I will never buy a park or pedros pump. My last house went through a park pro pump a year. Now my current roommates both own pedros pumps and they are a joke. Lezyne or Silca are the only things I trust at this point. Our pump at work is a joe blow and it seems fine for now but I’m waiting for it to go.
TC: I have a Silca Pista that just needs a new gasket but I’ve haven’t gotten one because our friend gave us a POS plastic floor pump that works acceptably and it’s never pulled out a valve core on me.
After 4 different pumps, I finally am satisfied with the SKS Airbase.
Heavy as hell, rebuildable, gauge on top squint-eyed fucks.
It too will break your thumb when the lever swings back open, but I have adapted.
just busted the seal on my silca super pista while airing up some stehers really hard so they can stretch
pulled the shaft out to check the seal…looks pretty simple to replace
now i gotta find one
bro twist the silca head clockwise when you pull it off and you’ll never loosen a core again
also with smooth stems you barely gotta put the pump head on, just so the rubber buts up to the first step on the stem
go on further and…i’ve pulled whole valve stems outta tubes before
Same. Have had mine for a few years with no real issues. I warrantied it early, but since then havent had an issue. My ex has the newer version that feels lightr and more flimsy. But all in all it’s a solid pump.
Somehow I ended up with two Bontrager pumps. A nice $60 metal one and a cheap $30 plastic one. The nicer one has been pretty solid for 3 years. I’m pretty convinced that a good, all metal pump from just about anyone will be good for several years.
The joe blow can’t really go, though. Customers always bring in their Joe Blows complaining that they broke and they want a warranty pump, but it’s always one of three gaskets that goes unless you step on the hose all the time or run over the pump with your car (this actually happened and the dude actually tried to “warranty” it).
Got something or other at work that I got for free from Blakey. It works.
For home, I use an Innovations Top Dog (looks a lot like a Joe Blow) that I got for a birthday 5 or 6 years ago with a Hirame pump head. Been waiting for the pump to shit itself (even slightly) so I can get something balleur enough to match the fancy head but alas, it keeps on trucking.
I suppose the only balleur pump option when I finally replace it is Lezyne. Probably an alloy dirt drive. Maybe the steel one (cos real). Recommend me a Lezyne or other balleur pump.
I don’t trust floor pump reviews from one cyclist homes, especially considering most tarckbikers are pretty capable of using a floor pump. Having lived in houses with 4-5 cyclists under one roof, I’ve seen a lot of broken pumps. Never broke a pump when it was just me…
That being said… some new silcas are shit. Sure, design is the same, but something about 'em is fucked up cuz the leather washers in the barrell turn inside out. We had one we constantly repaired and it would never work right. Tried to return it but they gave us another one that broke upon first use.
I have the fancy bontrager one, but I kind of want a lezyne. Always had good experiences with 'em and I like that twisty head thing.
