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Submitted by
dkh
a Cross Country Rider
from Phoenix, AZ
Date Reviewed: June 22, 2008 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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 | | Favoriate 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: | |
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