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Submitted by
dkh
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2008 | | Favorite Trail: | Desert Classic | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Reputation | | Weaknesses: | Performance, Construction | | Similar Products Used: | Joe Blow | | Bike Setup: | Titus Racer X | | Bottom Line: | This pump is not what it use to be. The new models are cheaply made and don't work very well. Buy an older steel model. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David
a
from SLC
Date Reviewed: October 20, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Strengths: | I'm told it doesn't wear out. | | Weaknesses: | Leaks
Plastic handle
Once you get it on so it doesn't leak difficult to remove.
Gauge is small hard to read and at the bottom of the pump.
Cord doesn't wrap easily around the handle like every other pump. | | Similar Products Used: | Park x2 (works great until the an inner seal blows) | | Bottom Line: | I wouldn't get this pump it obviously isn't what it used to be.
Buy this pump if you only use this type of valve, or enjoy having multiple pumps around find it fun to try to get the thing not to leak and have excellent eye site. Also buy this if you enjoy using antique technology.
Don't get this pump if you enjoy ease of use, the ability to use multiple heads for different valves. A gauge you can read without super-vision or supervision.
Let's hope this review gets on this site this time. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
NateTheGreat
a Cross Country Rider
from Rockville, MD USA
Date Reviewed: January 12, 2007 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Replacement parts--can actually buy.
Pump lasts...and eventually presta gasket washer goes.
Multi head is durable...all brass. | | Weaknesses: | Cheaper Silca pista's have exposed plastic guages, get the one with the metal base plate with the cowl over the gauge $$.--I just busted mine when a board fell on it.
Old timey thread-on multi Schrader head----hssssssss as you unthread it off. | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | Mtbs since 1988 | | Bottom Line: | Get the pista model with the guage protected. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
D Larson
a Cross Country Rider
from San Diego
Date Reviewed: August 2, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | Fast and twisty | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Excel Sports | | Strengths: | Simple to use, versitle, does what it's designed to do, replacement parts are readily available, exceptionally durable, very cool Colombus tubing air chamber on old model. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Many that weren't nearly as good. | | Bike Setup: | Litespeed Pisgah
Ogle Single Speed | | Bottom Line: | If you want a pump that is high quality, will last for many years,is so so simple to use, and replacement parts are readily available, this is the pump for you. I've used one of these things since the mid 1980's and they're GREAT! | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bill Morrison
a Cross Country Rider
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: January 1, 2006 | | Favorite Trail: | roadie | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$59.00 | | Purchased At: | eBay | | Strengths: | easy on, easy off head; No thumb switches, no hassle; Just press it firmly on a presta head and start cranking; REasonable number of pumps to fully inflate (120psi); | | Weaknesses: | would be nice to have the gauge mounted at the top of the barrel, instead of near the floor; Older eyes struggle to see those little numbers; but it's a small problem; | | Similar Products Used: | Park, Topeak, SKS (REI); | | Bike Setup: | Road bike: Leader 785r alum/carbon; MTB: Klein Pulse Comp; | | Bottom Line: | Fantastic pump; simple, very servieable parts; easy on, easy off head; Also great for kiddie bikes with shrader valves...easy to convert from presta to shrader...just unscrew the head...voila. Sturdy design...seems bulletproof; | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tony Edwards
a Weekend Warrior
from Minneapolis, MN
Date Reviewed: April 2, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Williamson Bike Works, Madison WI | | Strengths: | Endlessly reliable, perfectly stylish. | | Weaknesses: | Slow to pump compared to newer designs | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn, Pedro's, Park floor pumps | | Bike Setup: | 2000 Moots VaMoots w/10-speed Chorus
early 1990s Woodrup 531 w/8-speed Chorus
1995 Serotta ATi w/XT, XTR | | Bottom Line: | The Silca Pista is one of cycling's most perfect designs. The pump shaft is, IIRC, a Columbus SLX downtube, and like the rest of the design, it is far more robust (and elegant) than the overwhelming majority of pumps. In the 12 years I've owned my Pista, I have replaced the chuck gasket twice, and that's it. I have pumped thousands of tires with my pump. What's not to like? | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin foley
a Racer
from Mill Valley
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2005 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$70.00 | | Purchased At: | mail order a long time ago | | Strengths: | This is the most reliable pump I've ever had. I just threw away a Topeak Master Blaster (frame fit) last nite after completely freezing up, again, when I stopped to help someone. I'll look this up to see if this was my fault for riding in the rain and fog but I would think a frame-fitting pump should be built to withstand being outside all of the time. Had it about 1.5 yrs. | | Weaknesses: | None at all | | Similar Products Used: | first and only floor pump | | Bike Setup: | serotta fierte | | Bottom Line: | Super durable, super dependable | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ken
a Racer
from Sydney, Australia
Date Reviewed: November 14, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Rebel Sport | | Strengths: | solid construction, customer support, pumps fast with few strokes | | Similar Products Used: | lots of pumps! | | Bike Setup: | full ultegra, columbus airplane tubing | | Bottom Line: | great customer service, I had a problem with the gauge and Silca sent me a new gauge. I have been very happy with the pump. From what I have read it should last me a long time. I am a happy customer! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob Clifford
a Racer
from Tinley Park, Illinois, USA
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2004 | | Favorite Trail: | Kettle Moraine State Park, Wisconsin | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Byron's Bike & Ski | | Strengths: | Durable, Accurate, Will deliver a very high pressure, Easy to replace parts, Will last a lifetime | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | Park, Avocet | | Bike Setup: | 1999 Specialized Stumpjumper M2 with XT, Mavic on the trail. 2003 Litespeed Ultimate with Record 10, Mavic on the Road. 1989 Schwinn Paramount with Super Record, Mavic. | | Bottom Line: | Do yourself a favor and buy this pump. I have had mine for 19 years and it has performed flawlessly. After almost 20 years of constant use I just replaced the guage, leather plunger gasket, and hose & chuck. The rubber gasket in the chuck has been replaced a few times but that is a $1.00 part available anywhere. I keep my road tires at 135 PSI and the pump gets it that high easily with minimal strokes. This is one of the best values in cycling and one of the only pieces of equipment that I've had since the start of my bike racing career of almost 20 years. Good luck and see you on the trail or road. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dirty Big Bjelke
a Weekend Warrior
from Perth
Date Reviewed: September 20, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$80.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Simple Design, Most if not all parts user servicable, Not plastic (cept handle). Just flat out does the job and has done for at least 7 years. | | Weaknesses: | Chuck needs a little encouragement to stay on. Gauge is hard to read if you are Anal about exact PSI. Car Valve inflation sucks if you are that way inclined. | | Similar Products Used: | Servo Forecourt | | Bike Setup: | Yada Yada Yada | | Bottom Line: | If I ever saw an aftermarket Chuck for this in the LBS I would buy it. As it is I've been meaning to get a new rubber insert for the chuck for about three years. Having said that It has pumped air into my tyres without fail in that time even if you have to jiggle it just a little bit for it to stay on.
I have mounted it onto a big piece of wood for stability and anti-theft, not that I think a thief would go for something this low key. Think about this before you buy, will my pump manufacturer still have parts available next year? The year after? next decade? I'll bet you can repair a Silca in 2010 and use it for another 10 years. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Alfredo J Alfaro
a Weekend Warrior
from Sarchi Norte, Costa Rica
Date Reviewed: August 11, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Strengths: | After 14 years of use I overhauled my Silca Super Pista. Since is not representative in Costa Rica I contacted Silca directly and received the needed spares parts quite fast | | Weaknesses: | None than I know! In fact in the spares parts than I received come the improvements/upgrades for corect any weakness than my pump had | | Similar Products Used: | If I already have the best, why I should use other pump! | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh 753 Pro Super Road, Raleigh 753 Pro Super Track Pursuit, both with Campagnolo Record parts, the Road has Campagnolo Record Delta Brakeset. Mavic Rims, Cinelli Bars and stems, Selle Italia Flite saddles Tuffo tubeless clinchers and tubulars. Raleigh RSP 250 MTB whith Shimano XTR (Campagnolo does not make MTB stuff!)8 speed. | | Bottom Line: | Excellent everlast product and a customer oriented service makes this pump stay away of others. With appropiate care and storage may overpass the 100 years of service. Although being made in high production factory, is made with a lot of care and attention to details, only the best materials are used. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
tim
a
from Australia
Date Reviewed: February 1, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | I've previously put in a review about this pump where I stated that it had been reliable for the past 10 years and that I couldn't understand the problems that some people were having with the chuck leaking and blowing off.
Today I put new continental tubes and tires on my road bike and sure enough the chuck leaked and had to be held on with one hand.
On my stems of my Vittoria tubes I had to prise the chuck off the inflated tire with two thumbs, so there is a big difference.
The conclusion I have drawn from this is that the culprit is the presta valve stems, if they are short and have threads all the way down the pump may leak, if the stems are unthreaded and longer the pump works great. | | Bottom Line: | This pump is fussy about valve stems, but otherwise is still the best track pump made. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Stewart Guthrie
a Weekend Warrior
from Miami, FLorida, USA
Date Reviewed: January 23, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$42.00 | | Purchased At: | Lickbikes | | Strengths: | nice comfortable big wood handle, feels sturdy, smooth stroke | | Weaknesses: | hose clamp at base blew off at 80 lbs the *first* time I used it (similar complaints below). Astonishing for what's supposed to be a better pump. | | Similar Products Used: | no-name brands | | Bike Setup: | khs 4000 alite, xt & xtr, Dave's Speed Dream, Titec 118, Crank Bros. pedals, Race Face turbine ISIS crankset, etc. | | Bottom Line: | as under "weaknesses": one doesn't expect a good, brand-new pump to deconstruct at 80 lbs. on first use. Fortunately I inherited a nice set of *real* hose clamps from my mechanic father and quickly substituted one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wayne
a Racer
from Chilliwack
Date Reviewed: January 10, 2004 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Vancouver | | Strengths: | Lasts for ever, I've used this for 20 years. Have pumped up track, road and mountain tires. Very high pressures obtainable | | Weaknesses: | Parts wear out but replacements can be found or rigged. Due to small tube size it will take a few strokes | | Similar Products Used: | Zefal and no name Asian | | Bike Setup: | Columbas Zona tubes with Campy Veloce and Campy Sirocco Wheels | | Bottom Line: | A life time pump | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K B
a
from Tucson, AZ USA
Date Reviewed: December 31, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Fantasy Island | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$25.00 | | Purchased At: | Performance | | Strengths: | Sturdy, can always find replacement parts. | | Weaknesses: | True, it takes a lot of pumps for MTB tires. Probably 80 strokes or so for me to get a 26x1.95 up to 70 psi. Hard plastic handle could have been better designed for hand comfort. | | Similar Products Used: | None | | Bike Setup: | Trek 950 w/presta valves. | | Bottom Line: | Mine is the Silca Track Pump. Relatively small diameter tube, orange in color, with black Silca logo. The price I listed is a guess, since I bought it so long ago, at least 10 years. I've probably replaced the rubber grommet 4 times, because it does wear out and won't seal, from repeated on/off the valve stem. And, I have replaced the leather seal twice, because it eventually gets stiff and won't seal. Probably have taken it apart for cleaning 3 times, because with extended use, bits of the leather seal, dirt, and old lubricant will gather at the base and clog up the air port, causing a small check ball not to seal. I found that my 12-gauge shotgun cleaning kit does a nice job of cleaning all the old dirt and goop out of the tube, then I re-oil the leather seal, and I'm good to go for another few years.
It may not be the slickest, fanciest pump, and doesn't blast a lot of air for quick inflation of fat tires, but I'm impressed that it's built solidly, lasts a long time and I can still get spare parts for it. I wonder how many pumps you can say that about, ten-plus years after you buy them. I don't like throwing things away every few years, and this thing lasts. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
J. N.
a
from Madison
Date Reviewed: December 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Strengths: | Can't think of any. | | Weaknesses: | Design of the chuck and fittings. | | Similar Products Used: | Cheap generic pumps. | | Bike Setup: | mountain and road | | Bottom Line: | I bought this because of the great reviews and the recommendation of the sales person at the bike shop. Well as someone else said, this is a pista junk! It appears to be well built but functionally it fails. My cheap $20 pump from Target works better, that's no joke. My gripes are the same as many others...1)The The rubber gromet that grips on to the presta stem never has seemed to hold on well, and if you try to pump a flat tire good luck. I couldn't get it to grip at all unless there was already air in the tire. I had to use a schrader adapter to get air in the tube. 2) The schrader fitting is threaded. This is a waste of time and there is no reason to fiddle around trying to thread the fitting on the valve stem. 3) The feet at the base of the pump don't provide much stability. 4) When pulling the presta fitting off of the stem it's too easy to cut your knuckles on the spokes because you need to use a little force to pull it off. All in all it's the fittings that killed it for me. I want to pump up the tire quickly and go. I don't want cut kuckles and a presta fitting that doesn't stay on and leaks. I returned it. A lot of nostalgia and hype from people who recommended it. | Value Rating: Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Lazaro Holguin
a Racer
from N. Wilkesboro, NC
Date Reviewed: September 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$45.00 | | Purchased At: | www.coloradocyclist.com | | Strengths: | Strong brand name | | Weaknesses: | Bought two pumps and both came out of the box with the same problem. Pump leaks air from different places: hose clamp, and pump head. It is difficult to read the pressure since air leaks out. | | Bottom Line: | I read the reviews: “the world’s best pump, time tested technology, highly serviceable, simple technology, etc, etc, etc. The bottom line is that I paid $45 dollars for a new pump that leaks air. I exchanged it and had the same problem with the second pump. I am sure that Silca has the best pump technology, but if Silca factory doesn’t assemble the parts right, I don’t care how good the technology is. I can probably replace the hose clamp and fix it, since they are “highly serviceable”, but when I pay for a new product I don’t want to spend time fixing it. A friend of mine just told me he had exactly the same problem with Silca pumps and had to return the pump twice. He decided, like me, to go for a different pump manufacturer. Maybe Crank Bros Floor Pump, or something else. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
T. J.
a Weekend Warrior
from Birmingham, MI, US
Date Reviewed: September 24, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Maybury | | Duration Product Used: | 6 months | | Purchased At: | Gift | | Strengths: | Incredibly well built. Brass fittings, wood handle, leather seal. All can be rebuilt yourself. Flawless presta and shrader attachment (no levers, quick on, quick off). Easiest pump I've ever worked with. | | Weaknesses: | Who needs a 220 psi gauge? For mountain bikers the scale is awful, especially since they place the gauge low on the pump. Thank goodness for the set bug. | | Similar Products Used: | Topeak | | Bike Setup: | Specialized Stumpjumper M4 w/ all XT. | | Bottom Line: | May not be the sexiest, lightest, or have all the new features, but it seems like a pump that will last you for years and always work well. I also never experienced the complaints about the presta or shrader setups. I think it's the easiest pump to use in those respects. I have the one pictured on the left above. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcelo Gios
a Weekend Warrior
from Sao Paulo, SP, Brazil
Date Reviewed: August 15, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Estrada dos Bandeirantes (road) | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Gary's (Miami, FL) | | Strengths: | Reliable, Precise, Durable, | | Weaknesses: | Handle, Lack of spares part in my country. | | Bike Setup: | Road Bike | | Bottom Line: | I'll buy a mini pump - same brand | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dean
a Weekend Warrior
from Kearney, NE, USA
Date Reviewed: July 17, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | None a roadie | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | World Wide Products | | Strengths: | Review is for the Silca Super Pista pump. It a solid quality pump. Inflates tubulars from 0 to 220#'s in about 130 strokes. The traditional wood handle feels great and looks terrific. | | Weaknesses: | I've had no experiences that indicate any weaknesses other then the cheap retention device used to hold the hose on at the pump base. It blew off at 200#'s the 1st time I used it. A simple hose clamp rectified the situation.
Some may think the following is a weakness but it's essentially a fact of life. Leather piston pumps must be stored in the upright position, especially in cold conditions. When stored horizontal the leather becomes compressed/mishaped on one side rendering an air gap between the leather and the cylinder. In June, when camping at altitude this was a problem one cool 30 degree morning. I had to reshape the leather blossoming it out to get it to seal against the cylinder. This was a common problem with all pumps when I was a kid in the 50's. We learned to store our pumps upright back then so they would be there for us when we needed them. No plastic pumps in the 50's! | | Similar Products Used: | There are no similar products in my experience that are suitable for high pressure tubulars. | | Bike Setup: | 1994 Trek 5500 - Campy 10 - With over 80,000 miles on it. It's my primarly bike of 17 bikes. | | Bottom Line: | My opinion is that this pump is made for tubular road tires. I don't recommend it's use for a mountain bike. I use a plastic pump for my other clincher tire bikes which are inflated to low pressures 40#'s to 160#'s. It's just easier.
At 220#'s the chuck has absolutely no leakage. Chuck/stem installation is easy on and off.
Looking forward to years of service and handing it down to one of my grandchildren when that day comes.
I plan to grease frequently because the cylinder can get quite hot at 220#'s which should breakdown the grease rather quickly leaving only the grease soap and no oil on the leather. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rico
a Cross Country Rider
from Shawnee, KS
Date Reviewed: July 7, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | Landahl | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | It seems to have lasted a fairly long time. I've actually had 2, the first one I bought in '92 and then got another in '97. | | Weaknesses: | Parts wear out and break more often than I would expect. My main complaint is with the difficulty of switching the default chuck from Schrader to Presta and back and also how quickly the rubber grommet wears out so the chuck will no longer stay on the valve stem unless I hold it on with my hand. | | Similar Products Used: | Haven't used other pumps to compare it with. | | Bike Setup: | Mountain bikes | | Bottom Line: | I bought the Silca (don't know what model name, but it is the right hand one in the picture at the top of this page, the one with the ovalized plastic handle) when it was recommended to me by the LBS and magazines as the cream of the crop. I haven't been that satisfied with it, but it got the job done. Here is a list of the issues I had with it, some of them listed by people below. 1) The rubber gromet that grips on to the presta stem never has seemed to hold on well, it just gets worse as time goes on. Now I have to hold it on with one hand while pumping with the other. 2)The default brass chuck that came with the pump is a pain to switch over to Schrader for my friends that have that. Also it has to be screwed onto the Schrader stem in order to pump air, and that is a waste of time when we're trying to rush out the door. 3)I had the gauge break after a couple years on my first pump, the spring steel inside of it flexed too much and broke. Also I'm not sure now how accurate my current gauge is since I just bought a Serfas pump and it showed that I was 10 psi less than I thought I was!! Maybe that was why I got so many pinch flats MTBing. 4)The indented hose clamps on the handle have never securely held up the hose, and consequently it flops out and lies on the floor where I have to reach down to pick it up when I want to use it. 5)The feet on the base of the pump are small and don't provide a good balance point. The pump tends to tip over easily and fall on the ground unless I lean it up against a wall. Again that's not a major gripe, but I sure like the stable platform the Serfas pump has. Also the small feet made it more difficult to hold the pump stable and steady when using my cleated cycling shoes. It would tend to rock forward and backward while pumping. 6)At one point the leather disc fell off the pump handle and was stuck at the bottom of the barrel. I had to drill a hole from underneath the pump and use a straightened coat hanger to push the leather disc out, in spite of having kept it greased. So for all that I would give it 2.5 chilis but since I have to choose I round it up to 3. I was going to throw the Silca away now that I have another pump, but after reading the reviews here, I'm going to stick it in a corner and if my Serfas doesn't last so long, maybe restore it and keep on using it.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rog
a Weekend Warrior
from Los Angeles, CA, USA
Date Reviewed: July 3, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The best trails are nameless. | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Ernie's Pro Bikes (RIP) | | Strengths: | Reliable. | | Weaknesses: | When it does fail, you don't know what to do after 20 years of perfect performance. | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn Floor Pump | | Bike Setup: | Kelme Eddy Merckx ('85), campy record/super record, mavic. | | Bottom Line: | Silca floor pump with Columbus tube (pink). Great pump for 20 years of riding/racing and 150,000+ miles. Well constructed, but simple. Good for road riders and high psi tires. Does Silca make a mini frame pump.... or a car? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
A B
a Racer
from Laguna Beach
Date Reviewed: June 27, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | anything up | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | 50 | | Strengths: | Lasts a long time. | | Weaknesses: | Lasts a long time. But the $2 rubber gasket in the pump head is dust in less than three months. If this pump would break, it would be easier to justifiy buying a whole new pump, which after years of trying to track down one after another rubber pump head gasket is the best possible option. | | Bottom Line: | Two posts before mine said EXACTLY what I would write, so, here's to copy and paste: I've suffered with my Silca for 15 years now, and enough is enough. I am going to buy something else (not sure what yet). Sure, it's basically held up, but trying to get it to hold onto a Presta valve is a constant source of frustration. With a long, fully threaded stem, I might get it to stay on (or it might pop off only once or twice), but with shorter stems, forget it! And even then, I have to replace the little rubber grippy thingy every few months (and they're not always easy to find). In some cases I can hold it on w/ one hand while pumping, but who wants to do that | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Terry K.
a Weekend Warrior
from Greenwood VIllage, CO, USA
Date Reviewed: June 25, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | The Milky Way at 5 parsecs distance. | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$42.00 | | Purchased At: | Lickton's Supply in Illinois | | Strengths: | This review concerns the SILCA SUPER PISTA floor pump. It pumps effortlessly and the gauge is accurate: I compared its pressure reading with a Snap-On air pressure gauge. | | Weaknesses: | The unit arrived with the body of the gauge broken and Lickton's is sending me a new replacement gauge free of charge. | | Similar Products Used: | A Nashbar floor pump purchased in the mid 80's. | | Bike Setup: | ~1994 Specialized Rockhopper 21 speed | | Bottom Line: | I'd recommend the SILCA SUPER PISTA to any biker regardless of their riding style - from road to mountain trail. Bringing the tires to pressure is fast and easy and the gauge is accurate. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Michael Tharp
a Weekend Warrior
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: May 30, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Bottom Line: | I've suffered with my Silca for 15 years now, and enough is enough. I am going to buy something else (not sure what yet). Sure, it's basically held up, but trying to get it to hold onto a Presta valve is a constant source of frustration. With a long, fully threaded stem, I might get it to stay on (or it might pop off only once or twice), but with shorter stems, forget it! And even then, I have to replace the little rubber grippy thingy every few months (and they're not always easy to find). In some cases I can hold it on w/ one hand while pumping, but who wants to do that? With my latest tubes, I cannot get a grip at all, and have to borrow a pump. I've borrowed Performance and Serfas pumps (among others) and they have all worked fine. Side note: My friend really likes his Serfas. He had a Performance but it didn't last long. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt Lou
a Weekend Warrior
from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 21, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durable, easy to use, and very reliable | | Weaknesses: | Hose is kind of short | | Similar Products Used: | Zefal double shot, Zefal Husky, Zefal Rush, Topeak joe blow, etc | | Bottom Line: | Have used this pump for well over 15 years without any problems. Haven't had to service it or anything during 15 years of use. Great pump. Only gripe is that the hose is a bit short. I'm used to inflating tires on the stand. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
slim tree shadow
a
from Oregon
Date Reviewed: May 20, 2003 | | Favorite Trail: | your face | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$15.00 | | Bottom Line: | here's a beautiful, proven, fully serviceable bike pump. you can't go wrong here, and as you'll read from more reviewers below they just don't make 'em like this anymore.
sure, the pump is slightly smaller. but that makes for a lovely form factor. sure, the stroke is a bit less than the new fangled ones, so you'll have to pump it a few more times. big deal, you're a big strong bike rider and you can do this.
this is how cool these pumps are: i went to an old bike shop and found 2 Silcas from the late 70's and early 80's - both had the Columbus tubing with the sticker at the bottom of the shaft. one is orange, one's black.
the black one is in killer condition and works flawlessly. the orange one didn't work at all -- i would raise the handle and it would drop - *clank* - with no resistance.
hmmm.. at $15 i can't pass this up! i took it home and my brother showed me that it can be easily disassembled. inside is a nut, washer, spring, plastic retaining plug and leather (yes leather) disc. that little leather disc is the key to the smooth, luscious action of Silcas.
we took out the leather and re-molded it. then applied plenty of Phil's grease (be sure to grease it regularly - once a year should do the job unless you're a pump maniac or work in a busy shop). long story longer, it now works perfectly!
i wrote Silca and thanked them, asking about decals. i want to restore these old beauties (just the Columbus ones). they responded immediately and are shipping me decals - free!
great product, timeless, a true classic. great customer service. my only regret is this review - i've told you too much! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mike
a Cross Country Rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Works great and is very servicable | | Weaknesses: | It will spoil you. You begin to detest most every other pump you'd be forced to use. | | Similar Products Used: | Many. | | Bottom Line: | I wish every tool and part I owned worked as well as my Silca. No product is perfect but this one comes close. Best of all, whenever I had any problem with this pump it is extremely servicable to anyone with even the slightest amount of mechanical ability. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tom
a Weekend Warrior
from PA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Strengths: | Always works | | Weaknesses: | none except that it does take more pumps than some of the new large volume floor pumps to pump up 26" tires. | | Similar Products Used: | many | | Bike Setup: | one tire in front, one tire in back. | | Bottom Line: | I've been using this pump for more than 15 years. I think I took it apart once and lubed the plunger gasket once. That's it! It always works! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Cross Country Rider
from Charleston, Il. USA
Date Reviewed: April 18, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durability and ease of use | | Weaknesses: | none | | Bike Setup: | Ti frame, LX comps, Mavic wheels | | Bottom Line: | I had to write after reading the last review. I've been using this pump for over 20 years now. I have had to replace the internal rubber stopper that holds it on valves. That's it. It's orange. Nuff said. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
kevin
a Racer
from chicago
Date Reviewed: April 3, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Tightest seal for presta valves. Rebuildable and durable. High PSI range | | Weaknesses: | Not as fast as the plastic wonder pumps. | | Similar Products Used: | Topeak, Performance, Schwinn | | Bike Setup: | Presta Valves | | Bottom Line: | I saw a guy bring a 20 year old pump into the shop for replacement parts-unbelievable. It doesn't pump up as fast as the new plastic wonder pumps but then again it should last a lifetime. The seal for presta valves on high psi road tires is unreal. I love it. I like cool classic stuff that lasts and is rebuildable. I git tired of buying new floor pumps and the shop reccommended this one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Tim
a Cross Country Rider
from Perth
Date Reviewed: January 28, 2003 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | Strong, good looking, reliable, easily serviceable. | | Weaknesses: | the recesses in the plastic handle which are designed to hold the hose are useless. The first day I had the pump the hose fell out of them and the brass chuck fell onto the pressure gauge and took a big chip off the edge of the face. Damn! | | Similar Products Used: | Zefal | | Bike Setup: | McMahon Titanium
Colnago road bike | | Bottom Line: | This is the best track pump made - every other track pump I have seen looks like cheap junk by comparison. I have had mine for 10 years and it works as well today as it did when I bought it.
For those people who don't understand how the chuck works and need instructions, here they are - you push it on before you start and you push it off (use both thumbs) when you are finished. If it's too tight, loosen it up, if it's too loose, tighten it up. Difficult eh! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
David Osborne
a Cross Country Rider
from Roseville CA
Date Reviewed: October 18, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Grouse Ridge in Tahoe National Forest | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$49.00 | | Purchased At: | Bikesmith New Orleans | | Strengths: | Best pump in the world. One can field strip it with a 14mm wrench and a #2 philips. Simplicity breeds reliability. They cost 3/5ths what they did in the 80's. | | Weaknesses: | Once you have one, you'll have no tollerance for other pumps. You'll go to a friends house before a ride and he won't have a Silca, so you'll just go riding with 30 psi. rather than use his piece of junk pump with a presta valve adapter that won't stop leaking. Then, on a descent, you'll hit a stick or a rock and get a fat flat. Then you'll tell yourself to hate your friend, and that the only friend that you have in the whole world is your Silca. | | Similar Products Used: | The Vetta that blows two ways, Zefal Husky, Zefals galore, a performance brand pump, Blackburn something or other. Specialized copy of silca (Actually worked pretty good. It used a Silca plunger and head). | | Bike Setup: | 1985, 56 cm Cesare Superbo SLX. Mostly Nuovo Record.
18" Ventana Marble Peak
18" Ventana Elite SS
18" Ventana El Toro
18" Ventana Elite SS
14" Ventana Marble Peak
56cm Ventana El Martillo Mostly C Record
XL Challenger BMX
56cm Kona Kapu
18" Kona Humuhumu Cruiser
1962 Schwinn Varsity (Just bought it)
1999 KTM 200 EXC
I think that's it. | | Bottom Line: | Buy two; get the old style Presta only head for one of them. Have a bike shop get you a good quality Schrader pump head from United Bicycle tool for the other one. Put the original pump heads in a drawer, or give them to your stoner friend.
This is how to fix everything:
If the head doesn't come off your valve stem easily, loosen the top of the pump head slightly. If it comes off too easily, tighten it. Even the most hammered of pump head gaskets, I’ve had success with tightening the pump head cap with a pair of channel locks and getting a good seal.
If it doesn't pump air, take the two screws out from the top of the cylinder cap and pull the shaft out. Put the plunger and nut back on the bottom of the shaft, snug the nut on with a dab of blue thread-lock, put some grease on the plunger and assemble. If the hose leaks, find the crack, undoubtedly it's next to the gauge, cut it off at the crack and clamp it back on.
If the gauge doesn't work, I've never seen this happen, use an accessory gauge, or your thumb, till you can get a new gauge. Napaonline.com has one for $11.59 (#NAC82513). Here's a web site I found with one search that has everything: http://www.bikeworld.com/pump2.htm.
This doesn't happen with presta valves, but If you're sucking air out of a schrader valve tube, it's the check valve. Remove the horizontal cap on the base, shake out the chunk of dirt, leather, rubber etc., assemble.
Floor pumps, for some unknown reason, go bad easier than any other tool on the planet. If you think any pump is never going to break, you’re kidding yourself. If you have a Silca, even if it’s broken, you can fix it, and still have a good ride.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
2melow
a Racer
from colorado
Date Reviewed: October 17, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | pump parts available all over the world if ever should need them. Brass parts that won't break (most pumps are made of plastic.) | | Weaknesses: | Gauge doesn't always work for high air volume mtb tires (33 psi range) | | Similar Products Used: | a lot of other stuff | | Bike Setup: | doesn't matter | | Bottom Line: | I don't remember how many years i've had my Super Pista. It has never let me down though, I can tell you that.
The one nice thing you might want to think about is this is the last pump you will ever have to buy. More shops carry the spare parts for the Silca than any other pump. Brass head won't crunch in your trunk when you are running late for the starting line (happened to my buddy with another pump using lots of plastic!)
Lots of negative reviews here...maybe they had a bad batch go out at a time? All I know is i'll never give mine up! Sure, other pumps may "inflate in 10 strokes," but chances are you'll be replacing it when plastic breaks in 2 years.
Satisfied user here! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Kevin
a Weekend Warrior
from Arlington,Texas U.S.A.
Date Reviewed: September 16, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Performance Bike | | Strengths: | Very solidly built | | Weaknesses: | Just flat doesn't work. After I got the 'weird' chuck on the stem enough to inflate the tire, I tried to gently remove it. All I ended up doing was pulling the stem out of the tube... | | Similar Products Used: | Nashbar generic, Joe Blow Sport | | Bottom Line: | I had my nashbar generic for a couple of years and didn't have a bit of trouble with it. It got damaged in my truck when someone was helping me load up for a kayak trip.
I ignored the other bad reviews thinking that you had to be pretty slow to not be able to use a bike pump,Was I wrong!!! As I said above, put the chuck on and when I got it slid down enough to inflate the tire it had just locked on and wouldn't let go. I ended up slowly pulling and twisting on the chuck until the stem came out of the tube... I wasn't being rough trying to remove it because I"ve got blade spokes and didn't want to cut my hands up. BOTTOM LINE: PUMP IS A WELL MADE USELESS PIECE OF BICYCLE EQUIPMENT !!! I have written a few reviews and this is my first BAD review. DON'T WASTE YOUR TIME AND MONEY ON THIS BRAND OF PUMP I went to a lbs later and bought a Joe Blow Sport pump and it seems to work pretty well so far. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vance
a Racer
from Indianapolis, IN
Date Reviewed: August 26, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | It appears to be quality workmanship with quality parts, but that's where it stops. | | Weaknesses: | As many people have stated this pump walks on hallowed ground in the cycling world, but lore has no place in my book when we are talking about a floor pump. The chuck is an absolute pain in the you-know-what. It simply doesn’t work, and the product didn’t come with ANY instructions or diagrams to explain how it (the chuck) works. | | Similar Products Used: | Zefal, Joe Blow, Topeak | | Bike Setup: | Trek 5900 w/Dura Ace components, Ksyrium SL wheels. | | Bottom Line: | Like one other reviewer said "Buy this pump if you enjoy spending your free time at the Post Office". I to was swindled into buying this pump because of the price, and the reviews I had seen. The fact of the matter is that it leaves a lot to be desired. For $30 you can find a pump that works much better, and will easily last as long if taken care of. Many people argue that this is an old school product; they don’t make them like this anymore, etc. My response to them is that they don’t make computers the way they used to either, but isn’t that a good thing? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Doug
a Racer
from Austin
Date Reviewed: August 20, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | excel | | Strengths: | It could probably last forever ... in the back of my clothset! | | Weaknesses: | Hard to read gauge while pumping, awful schrader operation, short travel on Pista model, no literature to help with repairs. | | Similar Products Used: | Topeak Joe Blow Pro (10 chilis!) | | Bike Setup: | Quattro Assi w/ Ultegra and DA | | Bottom Line: | I don't know what all the hype is about, I think it is a "Pista" junk!
My first experience with a Silica pump was with an old friend's pump. I attached it to my wheel, and when I got it to 110 psi, the hose shot off of the gauge.
Due to great reviews here and from Bicycling.com, I mail-ordered one. After very little use (inflating one tire), it stopped holding pressure well, and took about 45-50 strokes per 10 psi on a road tire! I think the plunger was loose like another reviewer complained about, but I just sent it back.
You should buy this pump if you enjoy spending your lunch hour at the post office! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
dave
a Cross Country Rider
from Sale, Victoria, Australia
Date Reviewed: August 6, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$50.00 | | Purchased At: | Flemington cycles | | Strengths: | This thing is bomb proof. | | Weaknesses: | None | | Similar Products Used: | zefel frame pumps. Too many to mention | | Bike Setup: | Custom 753 Road bike dura ace, Raceline Comp Hugi hubs and other goodies. And a an old padock basher. | | Bottom Line: | This is one of the best sporting products that I have ever purchased. It does all things on all bikes and I have belted it from pillar to post in time I have owned it. get one and you will not regret it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a
from Holland, MI
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2002 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$65.00 | | Purchased At: | Velo City Cycles | | Strengths: | Durable metal/wood construction. Replaceable parts. Might be the last floor pump I ever have to buy. | | Weaknesses: | Tiny lettering on the gauge. Expensive | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn TPS-1, Silca art pump. | | Bike Setup: | This pump is the Super Pista model. | | Bottom Line: | My first experience with a Silca pump was terrible. It was silca's "Art" model found at Colorado Cyclist. The gauge was broken, the leather was extremely stiff in the cylinder, and the paint was gouged in several places. My review of that model is listed seperatly
I became sick of having to replace my Blackburn pump on an annual basis, so I decided to give Silca another chance.
The Super Pista so far is the best pump I have ever owned. The pumping action is extremely smooth and I don't have to put as much body weight with every stroke as I did with the blackburn. This is especially important with road bike tires. The capacity per stroke is still pretty high.
I have to use the red pointer on the gauge since I can't read the numbers on the gauge while pumping. This can become annoying with multiple bikes. This pump is only really ment for presta valves. The schrader valve attachment is quite primative. It doesn't affect me since I don't like schrader valves to begine with.
The pump is very expensive considering it's simple construction. The only plastic that can be found is in the gauge. Compare that to blackburn which uses a plastic in their critical components! Components that wear out can be replaced.
Overall I reccomend it for anyone who rides a road bike on a regular basis.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thrawn
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: June 9, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The one I make | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bicycle Outfitters | | Strengths: | See my last review | | Weaknesses: | See my last review | | Similar Products Used: | See my last review | | Bike Setup: | '00 Schwinn Moab 1, upgraded with Thomson, Speedplay, Syncros, and other goodies | | Bottom Line: | This is a supplemental to my last review. The valve has loosened up nicely. The pump now operates with silky smoothness, and pumps my tyres up quickly.
The pressure gauge is very accurate. I tested it on an old schrader bike I have lying around the house. I measured the pressure with a schrader gauge that I know is accurate to within 1 PSI. The gauge read 18 PSI. I measure the pressure with the Silca, and it read 12 PSI. I didn't care, because I would never run any tyre that low, so its accuracy in that range is irrelevant.
I then pumped the tyre up to an indicated 40 PSI with the Silca, and disconnected the pump. I measured the pressure with the schrader gauge, and it read 40 PSI on the mark. Sweet! I won't be replacing the Silca gauge unless it breaks. I will still replace the hose, however, so it'll reach my bike when it's on the stand.
Trust me, you want to buy this pump. It is beyond comparison with its competition. It's also less expensive and will last indefinitely. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Justin
a Cross Country Rider
from Ft. Lauderdale Florida
Date Reviewed: June 8, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | ANY | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS | | Strengths: | It can pump up to 200 psi ,none of the others can.
MADE IN ITALY | | Weaknesses: | guys who are used to plastic pumps | | Similar Products Used: | Zefal,Crank Bros etc | | Bike Setup: | Raleigh PRO/Giant REINIER/BikeE | | Bottom Line: | IT IS THE BEST PUMP PERIOD.I don't know wats'up with the reviws below ,there must be a lot of guys out ther who have not seen a real pump before (steel barrel and leather seal).The action with this kind of pump FEELS diferent,FEELS slower.The day I bought'it i" ve tryed it on my road bike(700/25),went up from 0 to 120 psi in very few strokes abbout 3-4 psi every stroke when you get over 80,it felt so easy my little sister could do this.I've tryed it on my MTB (26 2 3/4)abbout the same number of strokes and last but not least i' ve filled my metal air tank (1.5 cu feet)with 200 psi, BEAT THAT !!! DON'T TRY THIS WITH ALUMINUM OR PLASTIC! To put the toping on it any BIKE STORE has IN STOCK seals ,spacers ,valves and whatever you may need down the road.To put the cherry on top I must let you know tha my dad has a twenty something year old Silca,pink scraced no gauge on it works just like new one.
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thrawn
a Cross Country Rider
from Ontario, Canada
Date Reviewed: May 29, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | The one that I make | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$39.00 | | Purchased At: | Cambria Bicycle Outfitters | | Strengths: | — Completely rebuildable and customizable
— Simple, elegant design
— Wooden handle is very comfortable
— Stable base | | Weaknesses: | The valve seems a little stiff, but it should loosen up over time | | Similar Products Used: | 20+-year-old Norco pump (it still worked, but didn't seal properly and didn't have a pressure gauge) | | Bike Setup: | '00 Schwinn Moab 1, upgraded with Thomson, Speedplay, Syncros, and other goodies | | Bottom Line: | I just received this pump yesterday. This is a beautiful product. Well designed and modular, meaning components can be replaced, serviced, and swapped with ease.
I'm a gearhead, so I'm definitely going to have a lot of fun upgrading this pump. I'm going to swap in a longer hose so it can reach my bike from the floor when my bike's on the stand, I'll experiment with different gauges, and if the valve doesn't become smoother, I'll see if it can be replaced as well. Replacing the head is very easy, but it works so well that doing so would be unnecessary. It pumps both presta and schrader (by removing the big brass chuck) with no leakage.
In my opinion, this pump is a much better value than the Blackburn offerings. Blackburn pumps have aluminium barrels, which makes no sense for a floor pump, as the added heft and durability of the Silca's Columbus tubing works in its favour. The Silca will also pump to higher pressures (necessary for track use), and has a much nicer handle and appearance.
An excellent pump. If you need a new floor pump, you cannot possibly go wrong with this one. I'll post new reviews as I upgrade it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Perry Nguyen
a Weekend Warrior
from San Leandro, CA
Date Reviewed: April 7, 2002 | | Favorite Trail: | Still Looking | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$60.00 | | Purchased At: | Palo Alto Bicycles | | Strengths: | Nice construction, supposed to last forever
Indicator needle on gauge to set where you want your pressure to be | | Weaknesses: | Expensive (Then again, I got it from a Palo Alto bike shop...)
Had to fix the pump on first day of ownership
The pumping action isn't smooth | | Bottom Line: | When I got the pump home, I immediately tried to pump my tire to its maximum rating of 65psi (for commuting to work), after getting to about 60psi, the pump just gave and would no longer push any air.
I had to take the pump apart, and get my hands horribly greasy fixing the white plastic collar that keeps the leather plunger from sliding up the pump. It, basically, wasn't tightened onto the shaft tightly enough. You'd figure on a premium pump, they'd set the damn thing so that one wouldn't have to fix it on the first day.
The feature of the gauge, where it has a red indicator needle to point out your desired pressure, is nice. I set it to the pressure I want, then I pump until the pressure needle is covered by the red pointer, I know the pressure is where I want it, no need to squint or interpret the reading on the gauge.
The pump also feels like its "one-way" valve is stiff, it takes a considerable effort to pump, even without any load on it (pumping into air). I'm hoping that the valve will break in over time and the pump will get much smoother.
Barring the few issues and its price, I expect the pump to last forever, and if it does, it is definitely worthwhile to get. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil Murray
a Racer
from AUSTRALIA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | 3 months | | Price Paid: |
$40.00 | | Purchased At: | Local bikeshop | | Strengths: | Yet to find any other than good service from the distributor | | Weaknesses: | I'm on my third - and still have the same problem as neumy | | Similar Products Used: | none | | Bike Setup: | Avanti roadbike with 105 group | | Bottom Line: | The first pump - gauge stuck at 50psi
Second pump - blew the leather washer up at 110 after 20min of pumping
Third pump - as above - takes ages to get to 80psi - forget anything above 100psi
These have all been NEW pumps I think Silca need to take a hard look at pumps manufactured after 2000. Anyone else out there with this problem or a theory as to what's going on? | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gary
a Racer
from Sydney in the land of OZ
Date Reviewed: July 23, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$20.00 | | Purchased At: | Bundies | | Strengths: | I've had my Silca pump for 18 years (yes I'm an old fart); all I've had to do is replace the rubber in the valve head. After that many years it rotted - go figure!
I now ride 6 to 7 days per week, My wife and daughter ride 4 days per week; over the years that a hell of a lot of pumping. My Silca's still going strong why would I change.
Repacement parts are easily found, you don't need to use Silca air hose of valve; anything of the correct size will do. | | Weaknesses: | If you like buying a new fangled do dad every year or so, this isn't the pump for you. | | Similar Products Used: | Zefal Big shot - piece of crap; only good to about 80psi then you need the weight of two people to push the barrel. | | Bike Setup: | Colnago VIP 2000, Dur-Ace, Ksyriums;
Trek 2300 Ultegra Spinergy;
Eclipse Reynolds 531 and Campy;
Trek 6000 as it comes;
Peter Bundy track bike | | Bottom Line: | I have not had a prob pumping my road tyres to 120psi and beyond, it doesn't take forever to do, doesn't bust my poofoo valve and the thing seems like it will last forever.
Buy it, love it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Neumy
a
from Salt Lake City, UT
Date Reviewed: July 19, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Bottom Line: | Just got the pump today and tried it out. Having the same problem as Eric a few reviews down. Takes FOREVER to get from 60lbs to 80lbs. I gave up there. Not even gonna try to get to 110lbs. This thing's going right back to Colorado Cyclist in the morning. Never had to do a return there. Hope that part of the business is as good.
When I get a replacement, will do another review. Until then, this stick is getting ones. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Matt
a Cross Country Rider
from Tulsa, OK USA
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Big Rocks and/or Steep Downhill | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | LBS Denton, TX | | Strengths: | Excellent pump, High pressure, good volume, good inflator head (switchable), very well made, same pump has been made at least since early 80s so parts are available. | | Weaknesses: | Doesn't look as cool as some of the newer pumps | | Similar Products Used: | None (haven't needed any) | | Bike Setup: | 7 speed Hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I finally had to replace the leather plunger washer after 12 years of use. That is the only maintenance I have done on this pump. I bought this pump for 110 psi tires when I was riding road rallies in high school. I have been converted to dirt since I don't like riding with cars everywhere, but this pump works just as well for Fat Tires. Screwing the schrader head on is a little annoying, but I don't use it on car tires very often ;).
The only thing I like better than the Silca is my Inovations Second Wind because all I do is pull a trigger.
When I bought this pump I asked what was the best pump they sold and they told me it was the Silca. It wasn't the most expensive either. The Italians know bikes and they apparently know how to build a darn good pump too. I had a friend tell me that he replaced the plunger on his Blackburn in about 6 months. I trust Silca. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
bigbon
a Weekend Warrior
from Riverside, AL
Date Reviewed: May 18, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Oak Mountain State Park | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Price Paid: |
$36.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | -Looks good
-simple
-presta/schraedar head
-Silca name | | Weaknesses: | tight head for presta, but I guess this could be good too. | | Similar Products Used: | crappy KMart stuff(no comparison), Topeak Mountain Morph mini pump(very good) | | Bike Setup: | GT hardtail | | Bottom Line: | I decided to buy this pump after reading all the positive reviews on MTBR. One thing I like about this pump is the switchable head: just take off the one for presta and there is the schraedar head. This pump works quickly and many places sell replacement parts for it. The pump head REALLY grips onto presta valves and is hard to get off. Slammed my hand on the QR lever trying to pull it off. Check out this pump before you buy a fancy one. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark M
a Cross Country Rider
from Los Altos, Ca
Date Reviewed: February 24, 2001 | | Favorite Trail: | Secret | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Reputable Local Bike Shop | | Strengths: | Stiff, Strong, Reliable, Timeless | | Weaknesses: | Would like to be able to have spot for both feet while pumpin.
| | Bottom Line: | Here is a story. I go to local bike shop to purchase a floor pump. I pick up a flashy red one and as I walk up to the counter I notice that the cagey mechanic behind the register is watching me. "Why did you choose that one"? Well I thought it looked good and had all the right features, I told him. "Can I make a suggestion", he says. SURE! "Get the Silca, I was a mechanic for a racing team in europe and here and we had two with us. You can always get parts and they dont break"! I was sold. It has been many years now and that damn thing still produces more air than a Washington politian. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Eric
a Weekend Warrior
from Holland, MI
Date Reviewed: February 21, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | Tested or demo'ed only | | Price Paid: |
$30.00 | | Purchased At: | Colorado Cyclist | | Strengths: | The brass presta valve chuck. | | Weaknesses: | Bad Paintwork
Defective pressure gauge
Stiff pumping action | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn Trackpump Sport | | Bottom Line: | I am very displeased with this pump (this is the standard floor model). The first thing I noticed when I took the pump out of the bag was the paint around the top of the pump was scraped off. I did a few test pumps with nothing hooked up to the chuck to check the action of the pump. It was very stiff as if the tire was already at 100 psi. The pressure gauge was stuck at 60psi. I was thinking perhaps a check valve in the pump got stuck, so I took a wrench and removed the gauge. The gauge still registered 60 psi. Even with the gauge removed from the pump, the pumping was still extremely stiff as if the air hose was clogged. What a piece of junk! Silca should be ashamed of this pump. Even if the gauge worked, this pump wouldn't be as good as the blackburn I already have. This silca pump will be shipped back to colorado cyclist for a refund. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX, USA
Date Reviewed: January 7, 2001 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | Gift | | Strengths: | Serviceability. Easy to read guage. | | Weaknesses: | Tiny handle. Poor efficiency. Mixture of sturdy and flimsy parts. | | Similar Products Used: | Zefal Husky. | | Bike Setup: | Road bike. | | Bottom Line: | Sturdy but grossly overrated. Yes its made of Columbus tubing. Yes it is servicable. So what if it is Italian? It is a mediocre pump. The handle is tiny and doesn't stay tight to the threaded shaft. The screws holding the plastic collar/gasket at the top came out because the threads are plastic. It reaches 120 psi without difficulty but man it takes a lot of strokes. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Marcelo Iannini
a Racer
from Brasilia, DF, BRAZIL
Date Reviewed: December 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | any | | Duration Product Used: | 2 Years | | Price Paid: |
$35.00 | | Purchased At: | Excel Sports | | Strengths: | Solid construction (no cheap plastic parts!!!)
High pressure rating
Size | | Weaknesses: | Dual-head with thumblock | | Similar Products Used: | Blackburn TP-1 (BIG SH!T) | | Bottom Line: | This pump really rocks. It fills my road tires with about 20-25 strokes to 120+psi. On MTB tires, about 40 strokes means 50psi. Mime's Super Pista model. You can find replacement parts for yours at any corner.
Only drawback is the original dual-head w/ thumblock, which the thumblock metal (probably steel) was harder than the head parts (probably brass) and digged an hole on the head, causing leakage. I cured this problem with silicone and a washer installed under the silicone between the head assembly and thumblock, so no more 'digging on my heads...
| | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a
from Sonoma County, California
Date Reviewed: November 5, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Wine Country roads | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Purchased At: | local shop | | Strengths: | 1. Lasts forever (remember to oil it every year or so)
2. easily pumps to 120 psi
3. can get replacement parts
4. brass fittings accept other hoses, heads, gauges etc.
5. good value for top of line floor pump. | | Weaknesses: | none | | Similar Products Used: | cheap pumps that fell apart, or expensive pumps that woouldn't make it to 120 psi | | Bike Setup: | road bike, mtb, friends' bikes. | | Bottom Line: | This pump is simply but well made, and mine gets a lot of use.
Firstly the barrel isn't a huge diameter, so it will easily go to 120 psi or more.
It comes with a big presta chuck or a small reversible chuck - the rubber grommets in both chucks fail eventually and don't grip - the replacement rubber (Performance or Nashbar) is under $2.
I got sick of switching the head for friends who have Schrader valves, so I switched the hose for a twin-head type (think Topeak) so it'll instantly do both valves. The new hose is also longer. The pump has a simple hose clamp on a heavy brass nozzle.
The gauge is accurate (I check it), but if it failed, it's easy to replace with an industrial gauge from an auto-parts store.
Like any pump, remember to put oil in every year or 2 and it will outlive you. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
K. Geist
a Racer
from Pennsylvania
Date Reviewed: October 6, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | This pump has been with me forever (5 years). I've never had a problem. | | Bottom Line: | I've owned this pump for as long as I've been riding. It's a great, durable, lightweight pump that will last for a very long time. You will always be able to depend on it. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
SteveS
a Weekend Warrior
from Houston, Texas
Date Reviewed: April 16, 2000 | | Favorite Trail: | Hill Country | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Durability and value | | Weaknesses: | They last so long, you have to find replacement parts | | Similar Products Used: | various cheap pumps | | Bike Setup: | This is a floor pump for both road and mtb bikes | | Bottom Line: | I have had this pump a really long time, so long that now when it needs a part, I have to go look for a replacement part as most shops that I have been to recently, don't sell Silca. If all my parts lasted this long, I wouldn't have any fun upgrading. For most useage, this is really a well designed pump. One of the few cases where I don't worry about having a lifetime warranty because I know I will get my money's worth out of this thing. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Wireball
a Weekend Warrior
from Reno, NV, USA
Date Reviewed: March 19, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | Less than 1 month | | Strengths: | Easy to attach to tire valve, good pressure gauge, high quality | | Weaknesses: | No complaints | | Similar Products Used: | Cheap no-name general store pumps that usually broke after a few uses | | Bike Setup: | Schwinn road bike, pretty normal clincher road tires | | Bottom Line: | I've used several el cheapo general-store pumps that cost around $20 bucks, and had them all fail after a few uses with broken connectors or blown internal seals.
Just got back into cycling after a few years of inactivity. Was sick of failed pumps (and the wasted money), and I'd heard good things about Silca pumps, so I bought one at BikeWorld.com for $38. It was out of stock at the time, but I got one after a little over a week. I'm very impressed with the solidity and performance of the pump, and have no doubt that it will last a very long time. Pressure gauge is nice too, though too inaccurate below 50psi for car tires. I can always use a seperate pressure gauge for that, though. 5 flaming trails of burning rubber! | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
blitzcat
a Cross Country Rider
from Greensboro, NC
Date Reviewed: March 18, 2000 | | Duration Product Used: | More than 3 years | | Strengths: | Over-engineered: Columbus tubing, big allen screws, leather, big ass brass chuck | | Weaknesses: | They sell a reversible chuck now. Like a schrader bike is worth this... | | Similar Products Used: | Older Silca pumps | | Bottom Line: | You will die, and at your estate sale some wrench-head will find it, and be outlived by it.
Mine is only in its 14th year of use. Still working on building character into it.
Some products just don't need to be changed. Eddie Merckx probabally has one exactly like what you buy today. | | Value Rating:Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Pete Peel
a Weekend Warrior
from Edwards, California
Date Reviewed: December 10, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Crescent Lake, Cooper's Landing Alaska | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Weaknesses: |
The stupis reversible end | | Similar Products Used: |
Schwinn Cheapo and numerous other older cheapos | | Bike Setup: |
road & MTB (1 each) | | Bottom Line: | 4.5 chilies. The only thing from keeping this pump from being the best ever is the reversiblevalve on the hose. The baody is rugged steel (reynold tubing I think), the hose is longer than normal, the guage is large enough to read, the handle is large and easy to use. I have friends who have had these for 10 + yrs that have never had a problem with them. They are like old friends.....awesome! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cIRCitmage
a Weekend Warrior
from New Haven, CT
Date Reviewed: October 29, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
50 Year Trail , Tucson | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Could easily inflate the Hiddenberg | | Weaknesses: |
none | | Similar Products Used: |
none | | Bike Setup: |
four bikes (all $2000+), Mountain, Road, Touring | | Bottom Line: | When I got started in cycling, a fellow rider had told me don't skimp on your floor pump ... I'm glad I listened to him then ... paid slightly more for this baby than I wanted to (way back when I was a student) but this thing rocked then and continues to ROCK 18 years later!! ... quick connect, tank like consruction, rebuildable with a toothpick and spit ... can't come with a higher reccomendation ... it is the first piece of bike related equipment I bought and I fully expect to be able to pass it onto my great grandson ;-) ... I've been using MTBR since the days of its beta and I forgot to review this pump way back then ... wish now as I suggested back then that they have an all-star rating in which you could give one product a superlative ... five chilis don;t come easy from me, but this is one where it is richly deserved | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark
a Racer
from Arcata, CA
Date Reviewed: October 7, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
timeless design, the damn thing just keeps working! Availability of every small part to rebuild it. | | Weaknesses: |
Floor level guage is hard to read | | Similar Products Used: |
Blackburn, Zefal | | Bike Setup: |
Road, mountain, track, and tandem | | Bottom Line: | The sucker just plain works. I've had mine for over 25 years and, with proper maintainance, it should last another 25. I have used it on almost every type of bike imaginable - even track tires at 180psi with no problems. A truly awesome tool that every cyclist should own. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bubba
a Weekend Warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: October 5, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
Barton Creek Greenbelt | | Duration Product Used: |
more than 3 years | | Strengths: |
Durability
Replacable parts
Simplicity
did I mention durability | | Similar Products Used: |
Bell Floor Pump
Zefal Floor Pump | | Bike Setup: |
Doesn't matter | | Bottom Line: | I've had my Silca Track Pump for 14 years! Replaced the leather gasket and the rubber piece in the pump head once over it's lifetime. Absolutely the best tool I've ever purchased. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve Z
a Racer
from Logan, UT
Date Reviewed: September 21, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
rebuildable?
solid | | Weaknesses: |
presta chuck won't hold
inaccurate guage | | Similar Products Used: |
various cheap pumps | | Bottom Line: | Buy a Silca and you will have it forever. thats what everyone says. Well, since day one the grommet in the presta chuck has never held the valve stem, so I have to pump with one hand and hold the chuck on with the other. That really sucks at 120 psi. the other thing is the guage started off 5 psi low, now it is 20psi off. Well I don't want to buy replacement parts, i want it to work right out of the box. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jamie
a Cross-Country Rider
from Defreestville, NY
Date Reviewed: September 11, 1999 | | Favorite Trail: |
The one out my back door | | Duration Product Used: |
3 months | | Strengths: |
Solid.
Reliable.
Substantial weight.
Steel + brass + wood = timeless design | | Weaknesses: |
Gauge at floor level hard to read.
Wood handle a little bit short for my big hands.
Hose a little too short to reach tires when bike is raised to my preferred level on repair stand. | | Similar Products Used: |
Cheapo Bell | | Bike Setup: |
Klein Attitude Comp, Stock. | | Bottom Line: | Good pump. Does the job for which it's designed. Nice heft gives impression this will be pumping well into next century. Classic design. A long lasting, rock solid, easy-to-use floor pump for $35 from a company that's been around nearly as long as I have. Why spend nearly twice as much for a trendy, high-tech pump for which replacement parts may not be available in another five or ten years?Last floor pump I should ever have to buy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Larry
a Cross-Country Rider
from Mesa, AZ
Date Reviewed: April 8, 1999 | | Duration Product Used: |
6 months | | Strengths: |
The best floor pump out there. | | Weaknesses: |
You still have to pump it. | | Similar Products Used: |
Zefal double shot, Cannondale | | Bottom Line: | So much better than a Zefal! Comfy handle, accurate guage, works great up to road tire pressures, replaceable parts from Excelsports and other places. This pump is the last floor pump you will need! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mary Pappas
a
from weekend warrior
Date Reviewed: January 27, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
Solid pump, but a pump is only as good as its weakest parts. The cheap plastic crap inside it broke after only a few months, and I haven't found anyone (even pro shops) who has parts for it, or can give me a customer service number. I bought a Blackburn Track Pump, and at least it came with a customer service number, so when it breaks, they send me parts at no charge. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Steve
a cross-country rider
from E Granby, CT
Date Reviewed: January 6, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had my Silca Track pump for 8 years. Apart from replacing the rubber components and lubing, it has performed flawlessly. The only drawback is the stubby handle, which is not ideal for larger hands. Recommended. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
john c
a cross-country rider
from bflo,ny
Date Reviewed: January 4, 1999 | | Bottom Line: |
there is no better pump than the silca super pista. it is durable. it is accurate. replacement parts are readily available (not that i have ever needed them). it works on ev'rything (even my dodge minivan). it is attractive. it comes with it's own stylish bag. and i paid $35 (US)!
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
pikabike
a cross-country rider
from CO
Date Reviewed: December 14, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've used one of these since 1979, and can unreservedly give it 5 stars. Several years of that time I used it every day on tubulars. It works well for both low-pressure and high-pressure tires, the gauge still works, and it is easy to pump. Last but not least, all parts are replaceable. I've replaced the leather washer, the rubber seal in the brass head (but not the head itself), and the hose after it finally cracked. The latter can be gotten in lengths to suit you (go to a good roadie bike shop); then bring the pump and hose to a hardware store where they will install a clamp for you. It cost me a whopping $1 for their labor plus less than that for the clamps! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a weekend warrior
from MI
Date Reviewed: November 18, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Had the Silca for about 3 weeks and then returned it. Think I had a lemon. At about 100 PSI or so, it would stop compressing air. Tried lubing, helped not. A complaint to the place I got it got me a new seal, but the pump still stopped compressing air at 150 PSI. The pump is also too tall for me. I am 6' with shoes on, but trying to pump this pump is nowhere near as easy as a good Zefal Husky, which is what I now have. I had to repair the gauge on the Silca I got, something that should not have to be done. While this pump may be great for people who don't use really high pressure air, it does not work for me. My Zefal Husky is the best pump I have ever owned, and I would take it many times over this one. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mått-mån
a cross-country rider
from ok
Date Reviewed: September 24, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Built like a tank...metal no plastic, brass chuck, easy to service, a pump should be functional first.. remember: form follows function
Avoid the one with the plastic handle...Buddy of mine bought one and it broke after only a couple of years...My wooden handled one is still going strong, even after ten years...
| | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Erik Arthur
a weekend warrior
from Redmond, WA
Date Reviewed: September 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had a silca floor pump for the past ten years. It is clearly the best pump I have ever owned. The only thing that has gone wrong with it is that the base occasionally comes loose. A couple of turns with a 4 mm allen and it's as good as new. Excellent pump, well worth the money, and hopefully the last one you'll ever have to buy. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan Yeast
a weekend warrior
from Frankfort, KY USA
Date Reviewed: August 13, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
Great pump, durable, lots of pressure, feet too small, hose a trifle short. Overall 5 chilis! although,it is very difficult to find replacement parts. Gauge died awhile back and have not been able to locate a replacement. Possibly the best floor pump ever made, definitely the best one I have ever used. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
mr horsepower
a cross-country rider
from Wisconsin
Date Reviewed: July 4, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I bought the orange one w/plastic handle. Worked great for a while, but not so good on aero rims. Don't trust air guage on anything use a hand one for your bike and your car for that matter. I recently rebuilt mine so know it doesn't work. I was searching for a diagram of how this thing goes together. I don't know what I did wrong. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
William Strom
a cross-country rider
from Stockbridge, GA
Date Reviewed: June 6, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my Silca pump since 1985. Just had it rebuilt for $3 today. Used to use it for road bikes; now for my moutain bike, too. They don't come any better! Very reliable, rugged, bulletproof! This pump cost me $35 back then.. Don't waste your cash on a cheaper pump! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jay K.
a cross-country rider
from Antioch, CA
Date Reviewed: April 20, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I have the smallest Silca pump, w/ presta valve. The handle is uncomfortable, the stand is a bit unstable, and the hose could be 6 longer (to reach the valve when on bike rack.) Other than this, it has the most sure fire connector to the valve and the most accurate gague I've seen on a pump. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jacques Saint-Louis
a cross-country rider
from montréal
Date Reviewed: March 17, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
my father gave me his silca 15 years ago the pump have 25 yrar, i change the rubber ring (3 times) and the hose (for a swiming compresor hose. imagine this old italian pump be use for a track bike, road bike and wild finich is job on a mantain bike. best flor pump in the world. but buy one in steel only the plastic
one is not very good | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Phil R.
a cross-country rider
from So.Cal.
Date Reviewed: February 8, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had the Silca pump for about 6 years now.For $50 i am disappointed.I was sold this as a lifetime pump.The internal rubber/leather flange deteriorates and the cheap plastic cap at pump stem cracks easily.it worked fine for 1 1/2 years then fell apart.This pump was well cared for and not abuse either.The pump gauge still works fine. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Gino Sega
a cross-country rider
from Seattle
Date Reviewed: February 7, 1998 | | Bottom Line: |
I got this pump about 3 months ago, and I've been very pleased with it. I have the reversible presta/schraeder head, but really this is still a presta pump, as the schraeder head is not very well designed. If this is a problem, you can buy the Topeak two-sided pump head and still spend less than a lot of other, less hefty pumps. The rest of the pump is hefty and more - it feels as if it will last for years, as some of the reviews below attest to. A very solid, four chili product. Oh - and to to the guy who has difficulty with the pressure gauge markings: go to Home Depot or a pneumatic pump supply shop and buy a gauge with whatever range you like; it will take you one wrench and about five minutes to replace. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Vincent Ersanilli
a racer
from London, UK
Date Reviewed: December 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I really liked my silca pump which has given me many years of use but now the plunger O-ring is worn out, anyone know where I can get a new one? I hear that the chuck can be upgraded to a presta-shraeder unit this would make a great addition to a perfect product. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ben
a weekend warrior
from Austin, TX
Date Reviewed: November 7, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I have had my Silca for over 10 years now and the only thing that has gone wrong was the rubber insides of the chuck wore out. Recently I upgraded the chuck to one of the Silca chucks with the locking lever. Its like a new pump. It is virtually impossible to blow off the chuck now. Columbus tubing, built in gauge, extra long hose, durable. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan
a weekend warrior
from Hawaii
Date Reviewed: October 28, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Got mine as a gift. Best bike related present I've ever received. After reading all of the horror stories on other pumps, I'm glad I have a Silca. No problems, easy to use, parts for re-building (never have had too though) at local bike shops. Great pump. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
John Puziss
a cross-country rider
from Wallingford, CT
Date Reviewed: September 8, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had a silca floor pump for a decade or something like that. The pump is indestructible, has a chuck that switches from presta to schraeder very easily, and pumps quickly. I had a Zefal before this one that sucked moose. Buy the silca, you won't regret it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
syd
a racer
from n. ca.
Date Reviewed: August 11, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
last floor pump you will have to buy!! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Bob S.
a cross-country rider
from Tallahassee, Florida USA
Date Reviewed: May 31, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
What they said below. This is a 5-chili pump (the smaller black one with the wooden handle, I. in the picture, not the Magnum). You'll feel good about it every time you use it. Money well spent....you won't regret it, especially if you've suffered with some p.o.s. pump before. Presta only; might as well switch to Vittoria latex presta mtn. bike tubes if you haven't yet, now you can pump both road and mtn and ditch the Schrader pump you hated. 5 ultra chilis. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Paul
a cross-country rider
from MI
Date Reviewed: May 27, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I fished my Silca out of a dumpster behind a bike shop 17 years ago. After replacing a worn gasket with a piece of old inner tube it worked like a charm, and is still doing a great job. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Noel Buckley
a weekend warrior
from Vancouver, BC
Date Reviewed: May 26, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
This pump rocks. Mine has pumped up thousands of tires (working full duty at races and triathlons), and I've only had to replace the plunger leather once and the valve gromet a few times. total cost: <$5. My only complaint is the smallish handle and small base. but its durability makes up for any other lacking. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Jeff
a cross-country rider
from Michigan
Date Reviewed: May 4, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had several pumps over the years and all have ended up breaking, wearing out, rusting, you name it but I've had a Silca for about 4 years now and have not even had a minor problem, its solid, durable, dependable, and accurate. The only thing they could improve on would be the base (a little unstable) but it still rates 5 chilis! | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ron
a cross-country rider
from Utah
Date Reviewed: April 25, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
Great pumps! I've had one for years without having any problems. There are so many other pumps out there but the simple and time tested Silcas cannot be beat. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Mark Chaisson
a racer
from La Jolla
Date Reviewed: February 2, 1997 | | Bottom Line: |
The pump is good and sturdy, but I've had some problems with the valve. Since I only pay attention to the psi markings above 90, I don't really mind the lack of tick marks. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
cryoman
a weekend warrior
from Albquerque, Pusan, Arlington,MA
Date Reviewed: November 20, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I was duped by Silca's introduction of the Magnum pump for mountain bikes after happily owning their cheaper version of the Columbus tubing track pump with the reversible chuck. The Magnum - for mountain bikes, was/is a larger diameter tube bore touted as pushing more air, but at the lower pressures required for mountain bike tubes/tires. Problem is the pump came with an indicator having half the increments of their road pump (ie 1st red mark at 40 psi, 2nd at 80 versus 20, 40, 60, 80, etc) with the corresponding un-numbered half-marks. What an absolute crockpot full of shit!!! A pump marketed as designed for mountain biking, yet having a pressure indicator scale entirely aimed toward high pressures. Guess what chuck it came with as sold by Nashbar? Bingo - a presta only. This beautifully painted blue man sized (It's a Magnum, by God!!!) pump sits in a dark corner of my flooded basement, unused, a testament to my extraordinarily naive belief that Silca's legacy of fine road pump products would continue with their new design of a pump just for mountain bikes. Silca, shame on you, you ripped me off. No chile for you. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Chris Lowe
a
from cross-country rider
Date Reviewed: November 9, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had mine for about 15 years. No problems. If things do go wrong (not likely) you can replace most every part in the pump rather than having to toss the whole thing. It's made out of Columbus tubing so it's plenty strong. When the cockroaches finally takeover this is the pump they will use. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Ted
a cross-country rider
from PA
Date Reviewed: November 5, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
It's the doomsday pump, built to survive WWIII and pump tires
for the folks crawling out of the rubble. No other pump will
last as long as a Silca.Parts are readily available and cheap. You can get models for
presta, schrader, both, road, mountain, etc. Each one is both
a wonderful tool and a work of art. Comparing Silcas to other
pumps is like comparing shop-quality Campagnolo tools to the
5 piece bicycle mainenance kit down at your local flea market. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Rob
a cross-country rider
from Mississippi
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
I've had one for 9 years now, and have had to re-grease the leather and
tighten down the base screws twice. That's IT for maintainence. Fits presta and
schrader with a reversable head. Did manage to break the gage, but that's
hardly Silca's fault.
This is genuine time-tested thing. This is the one you want. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Thomas Canaday
a cross-country rider
from Aurora, Co USA
Date Reviewed: June 24, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
If your are looking for a really durable and great looking floor pump
the Silca made Super Pista is really your best bet. The barrel is
constructed out of steel and the handle out of wood. The gauge is
really accurate and you can easily get replacements parts for the.
That is if you would ever need them. Don't fool around with all that
plastic crap the Zefal makes, get something that might out live you.
And at the same price as Zefal you really can't beat it. | | Overall Rating: |
Submitted by
Dan K.
a
from truckee
Date Reviewed: June 14, 1996 | | Bottom Line: |
When my Zefals went south I went ahead and purchased the King of Pumps, Silca. These are heavy duty, come with a reversible presta/shraeder valve, are totally rebuildable, and are the standard in pumps. I've used mine daily for about 2 months and it performs like magic. I know of people with 8 year old Silca pumps and all they have to do is either lube the plunger or rebuild the head for about $3. | | Overall Rating: |
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