Pumps

Cobben Sence said:

I'm looking for a rplacment for my 8 year old Silica Track pump any
recomendations??

I hate to say it, but Topeak makes pretty good pumps. Their Smarthead
is very good. And if you have a pump that works well, Silca, but the
pump head doesn't, Silca, you can buy the Smarthead replacement
head/hose for $15 ($12 with 20% off sales) from Performance Bike and
put it on the pump. I just did this to my Silca Super Pista and Silca
Pista track pumps.

In article <[email hidden]>,

Cobben Sence said:

I'm looking for a rplacment for my 8 year old Silica Track pump any
recomendations??

Yeah. The blue pump:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&s
ku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Locally, an identically spec'd pump with a nice wooden handle is painted
red and available under the Beto name.

The only useful feature that seems to show up on pricier pumps is the
gauge gets moved to the top of the pump, possibly at the expense of some
accuracy. Oh yeah, and some have a "one-hole" head that takes either
Presta or Schrader.

If you really like your Silca, you probably will want to transfer the
pump head over to the new pump.

Don't spend much money on it,

--
Ryan Cousineau [email hidden] http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos

Quoted message said:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&s
ku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Problem with the Nashbar pump is the pump head. I bought a couple of
the Nashbar spare pump heads and tried them on some of my Silca pumps.
The automatic valve inside the pump head that switches between the
schrader or presta hole does not work all the time. So you stick the
valve into the presta hole, start pumping, and all the air comes out
the schrader hole. So then you have to undo the toggle lever, move the
valve in and out a bit, redo the toggle lever, and hope it fixed
itself. Repeat until it works. I got enough problems in my life
without adding poorly working pump heads.

Quoted message said:

Locally, an identically spec'd pump with a nice wooden handle is painted
red and available under the Beto name.

The only useful feature that seems to show up on pricier pumps is the
gauge gets moved to the top of the pump, possibly at the expense of some
accuracy. Oh yeah, and some have a "one-hole" head that takes either
Presta or Schrader.

If you really like your Silca, you probably will want to transfer the
pump head over to the new pump.

Don't spend much money on it,

--
Ryan Cousineau [email hidden] http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&s
ku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Problem with the Nashbar pump is the pump head. I bought a couple of
the Nashbar spare pump heads and tried them on some of my Silca pumps.
The automatic valve inside the pump head that switches between the
schrader or presta hole does not work all the time. So you stick the
valve into the presta hole, start pumping, and all the air comes out
the schrader hole. So then you have to undo the toggle lever, move the
valve in and out a bit, redo the toggle lever, and hope it fixed
itself. Repeat until it works. I got enough problems in my life
without adding poorly working pump heads.

If you squeeze the tube/tire behind the valve, to increase the
backpressure to the pump, it seems to work. It selects the hole with
the highest backpressure, so you only have todo this for the first
stroke or two.

Cobben Sence said:

I'm looking for a rplacment for my 8 year old Silica Track pump any
recomendations??

I bought a Topeak Master Blaster from Mt.Co-op because of this thread.
Small and very durable. My problem now is where to buy a presta
pressure guage, although not essential I will admit.. The Smart Head
is a blessing for sure. MEC did not have the guage included type of
Topeak. Blasted. : )

Brian Huntley said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&s
ku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Problem with the Nashbar pump is the pump head. I bought a couple of
the Nashbar spare pump heads and tried them on some of my Silca pumps.
The automatic valve inside the pump head that switches between the
schrader or presta hole does not work all the time. So you stick the
valve into the presta hole, start pumping, and all the air comes out
the schrader hole. So then you have to undo the toggle lever, move the
valve in and out a bit, redo the toggle lever, and hope it fixed
itself. Repeat until it works. I got enough problems in my life
without adding poorly working pump heads.

If you squeeze the tube/tire behind the valve, to increase the
backpressure to the pump, it seems to work. It selects the hole with
the highest backpressure, so you only have todo this for the first
stroke or two.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I got enough problems in my life
without adding poorly working pump heads.

For a replacement pump head/hose, the Topeak Smarthead is pretty good
for $15 or less. Or as the original pump head/hose on a Topeak floor
pump. $40 or so.

Cobben Sence said:

I'm looking for a rplacment for my 8 year old Silica Track pump any
recomendations??

The park tools pump (not the expensive pro version) has served me well.
I used it for a year and a half now without any maintenance, plus I
trust the company. -B.D

Quoted message said:

Cobben Sence said:

I'm looking for a rplacment for my 8 year old Silica Track pump any
recomendations??

I bought a Topeak Master Blaster from Mt.Co-op because of this thread.
Small and very durable. My problem now is where to buy a presta
pressure guage, although not essential I will admit.. The Smart Head
is a blessing for sure. MEC did not have the guage included type of
Topeak. Blasted. : )

For a stay at home gauge, the Topeak Smarthead Digital is really good.
Take a look:
http://www.campmor.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?productId=30373072&memberId=12500226

It would be fine for a take along, if you have a large bag. The
underseat bag on my road bike, just has room for a spare tube,
milti-tool, tire bars, CO2 pump, cartridges, and ID. I could probably
jam the gauge in, but I just use feel, if I have to do an onroad
repair.

Life is Good!
Jeff

Cobben Sence said:

I'm looking for a rplacment for my 8 year old Silica Track pump any
recomendations??

How about replacing the seals, maybe the gauge and keep the Silca...

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Cobben Sence said:

I'm looking for a rplacment for my 8 year old Silica Track pump any
recomendations??

How about replacing the seals, maybe the gauge and keep the Silca...

I thought about doing that with my Silca Pista but a Topeak (Joe Blow
model I think) for 20$ (on sale anyway) was way more cost effective
than paying for those parts. I have my Silca as backup and I just have
to hold the head in place when pumping (at high pressure), but hey, it
did that almost since when I first got it so...

Quoted message said:

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Cobben Sence said:

I'm looking for a rplacment for my 8 year old Silica Track pump any
recomendations??

How about replacing the seals, maybe the gauge and keep the Silca...

I thought about doing that with my Silca Pista but a Topeak (Joe Blow
model I think) for 20$ (on sale anyway) was way more cost effective
than paying for those parts. I have my Silca as backup and I just have
to hold the head in place when pumping (at high pressure), but hey, it
did that almost since when I first got it so...

I guess but that Topeak will be in the land fill way before the Silca
will...

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Quoted message said:

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

Cobben Sence wrote:
> I'm looking for a rplacment for my 8 year old Silica Track pump any
> recomendations??

How about replacing the seals, maybe the gauge and keep the Silca...

I thought about doing that with my Silca Pista but a Topeak (Joe Blow
model I think) for 20$ (on sale anyway) was way more cost effective
than paying for those parts. I have my Silca as backup and I just have
to hold the head in place when pumping (at high pressure), but hey, it
did that almost since when I first got it so...

I guess but that Topeak will be in the land fill way before the Silca
will...

You might guess, but so far my Joe Blow has lasted longer than my Silca
with two rebuilds. Now, the Silca wasn't a Pista, it was the everyday
run of the mill Silca floor pump. The Joe Blow -- bottom of the line,
$17 on sale many years ago at REI -- has worked flawlessly since
purchase without having to constantly dismantle and clean the spring
valve, replace the leather gasket, replace the gasket on the fill head,
etc. Yes, the parts are readily available for the Silca, but I have had
to replace nothing on the JB. If I wasn't keeping the Silca as an
unneeded spare, it would have been in the landfill a long time ago.

Anecdotal, but hey, it's not a guess; it's how it is here in this
corner of the planet :>

Cheers,
Mike Davis

On 23 Aug 2006 06:25:09 -0700, "Cobben Sence" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

I'm looking for a rplacment for my 8 year old Silica Track pump any
recomendations??

Nashbar Blue. Cheap and works as well as a Silca Pista. Seems
sturdy too.

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&sku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=Shop%20by%20Subcat:%20Floor%20Pumps

JT

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Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&s
ku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Problem with the Nashbar pump is the pump head. I bought a couple of
the Nashbar spare pump heads and tried them on some of my Silca pumps.
The automatic valve inside the pump head that switches between the
schrader or presta hole does not work all the time.

That pump does not use an automatic valve -- it has separate holes for
the different valve types.

I really was pleasantly surprised by this pump -- it works great.

JT

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John Forrest Tomlinson said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&s
ku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Problem with the Nashbar pump is the pump head. I bought a couple of
the Nashbar spare pump heads and tried them on some of my Silca pumps.
The automatic valve inside the pump head that switches between the
schrader or presta hole does not work all the time.

That pump does not use an automatic valve -- it has separate holes for
the different valve types.

What do you think keeps the air from coming out both the schrader and
presta holes at the same time on the Nashbar pump head? Magic? There
is an automatic valve inside the pump head that senses the amount of
pressure in each hole and directs the air to the hole with the most
back pressure. The hole with the inner tube valvve in it. The
automatic valve closes the other hole so no air comes out it while
pumping.

As stated, the problem with the cheap Nashbar pump head is that
automatic valve does not sense which hole to direct the air into. So
you put the inner tube valve into the appropriate hole, flip the toggle
switch, start pumping, and the air keeps coming out the other hole.
For internet bicyclists this is of no concern since they don't actually
ride bikes. But for people who ride bikes, spend some more money and
get a pump head that works.

Quoted message said:

I really was pleasantly surprised by this pump -- it works great.

JT

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Quoted message said:

John Forrest Tomlinson said:

Quoted message said:

> http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&s
> ku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Problem with the Nashbar pump is the pump head. I bought a couple of
the Nashbar spare pump heads and tried them on some of my Silca pumps.
The automatic valve inside the pump head that switches between the
schrader or presta hole does not work all the time.

That pump does not use an automatic valve -- it has separate holes for
the different valve types.

What do you think keeps the air from coming out both the schrader and
presta holes at the same time on the Nashbar pump head? Magic? There
is an automatic valve inside the pump head that senses the amount of
pressure in each hole and directs the air to the hole with the most
back pressure. The hole with the inner tube valvve in it. The
automatic valve closes the other hole so no air comes out it while
pumping.

What toggle switch? Is that the same lever that tightens the pump
head around a presta valve?

Quoted message said:

As stated, the problem with the cheap Nashbar pump head is that
automatic valve does not sense which hole to direct the air into. So
you put the inner tube valve into the appropriate hole, flip the toggle
switch, start pumping, and the air keeps coming out the other hole.

Quoted message said:

For internet bicyclists this is of no concern since they don't actually
ride bikes. But for people who ride bikes, spend some more money and
get a pump head that works.

I ride a bit. We'll see if mine fails. It's working now and seems
good.

JT

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In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

John Forrest Tomlinson said:

Quoted message said:

> http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&s
> ku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Problem with the Nashbar pump is the pump head. I bought a couple of
the Nashbar spare pump heads and tried them on some of my Silca pumps.
The automatic valve inside the pump head that switches between the
schrader or presta hole does not work all the time.

That pump does not use an automatic valve -- it has separate holes for
the different valve types.

What do you think keeps the air from coming out both the schrader and
presta holes at the same time on the Nashbar pump head? Magic? There
is an automatic valve inside the pump head that senses the amount of
pressure in each hole and directs the air to the hole with the most
back pressure. The hole with the inner tube valvve in it. The
automatic valve closes the other hole so no air comes out it while
pumping.

As stated, the problem with the cheap Nashbar pump head is that
automatic valve does not sense which hole to direct the air into. So
you put the inner tube valve into the appropriate hole, flip the toggle
switch, start pumping, and the air keeps coming out the other hole.
For internet bicyclists this is of no concern since they don't actually
ride bikes. But for people who ride bikes, spend some more money and
get a pump head that works.

Russell: I don't want to get into a miles-logged um...measuring
contest...but I use a Beto pump with the identical head design, and when
pumping a dead-flat tube, I lean over and pinch the tire (and tube)
against the base of the valve stem, so that the tire (and tube) are
blocking the flow of air into the tire. The first bit of a pump while
doing this will activate the valve properly. I then continue pumping,
and everything just works.

I pump at least two tires a week, usually just topping up. I maybe have
to do this little trick once every 3-6 months when I start off a new
tube for some reason or another (I probably need to reduce the number of
bikes I own).

--
Ryan Cousineau [email hidden] http://www.wiredcola.com/
"I don't want kids who are thinking about going into mathematics
to think that they have to take drugs to succeed." -Paul Erdos

On Tue, 29 Aug 2006 02:49:52 GMT, Ryan Cousineau <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

In article <[email hidden]>,

Quoted message said:

John Forrest Tomlinson said:

On 23 Aug 2006 07:54:33 -0700, [email hidden] wrote:

>> http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&s
>> ku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=
>
>Problem with the Nashbar pump is the pump head. I bought a couple of
>the Nashbar spare pump heads and tried them on some of my Silca pumps.
>The automatic valve inside the pump head that switches between the
>schrader or presta hole does not work all the time.

That pump does not use an automatic valve -- it has separate holes for
the different valve types.

What do you think keeps the air from coming out both the schrader and
presta holes at the same time on the Nashbar pump head? Magic? There
is an automatic valve inside the pump head that senses the amount of
pressure in each hole and directs the air to the hole with the most
back pressure. The hole with the inner tube valvve in it. The
automatic valve closes the other hole so no air comes out it while
pumping.

As stated, the problem with the cheap Nashbar pump head is that
automatic valve does not sense which hole to direct the air into. So
you put the inner tube valve into the appropriate hole, flip the toggle
switch, start pumping, and the air keeps coming out the other hole.
For internet bicyclists this is of no concern since they don't actually
ride bikes. But for people who ride bikes, spend some more money and
get a pump head that works.

Russell: I don't want to get into a miles-logged um...measuring
contest...but I use a Beto pump with the identical head design, and when
pumping a dead-flat tube, I lean over and pinch the tire (and tube)
against the base of the valve stem, so that the tire (and tube) are
blocking the flow of air into the tire. The first bit of a pump while
doing this will activate the valve properly. I then continue pumping,
and everything just works.

I pump at least two tires a week, usually just topping up. I maybe have
to do this little trick once every 3-6 months when I start off a new
tube for some reason or another (I probably need to reduce the number of
bikes I own).

Dear Ryan,

My floor pump defied me last night while I was fixing a slow leak.

I started to reach for a handy blunt object to give the head a quick
whap to wake the valve up.

But then I remembered your suggestion, so I pushed the tire in against
the base of the inner tube valve with one hand and pushed on the pump
handle with the other hand.

Your trick worked fine--the valve woke up and started putting air
through the Presta hole instead of letting it whoosh out the Schrader
hole.

Of course, I gave the valve a rap with a screwdriver handle
afterwards, just to make sure that it didn't give itself airs.

Cheers,

Carl Fogel

Quoted message said:

John Forrest Tomlinson said:

Quoted message said:

>

http://www.nashbar.com/profile.cfm?category=106&subcategory=1075&brand=&s

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

> ku=17232&storetype=&estoreid=&pagename=

Problem with the Nashbar pump is the pump head. I bought a couple of
the Nashbar spare pump heads and tried them on some of my Silca pumps.
The automatic valve inside the pump head that switches between the
schrader or presta hole does not work all the time.

That pump does not use an automatic valve -- it has separate holes for
the different valve types.

What do you think keeps the air from coming out both the schrader and
presta holes at the same time on the Nashbar pump head? Magic? There
is an automatic valve inside the pump head that senses the amount of
pressure in each hole and directs the air to the hole with the most
back pressure. The hole with the inner tube valvve in it. The
automatic valve closes the other hole so no air comes out it while
pumping.

As stated, the problem with the cheap Nashbar pump head is that
automatic valve does not sense which hole to direct the air into. So
you put the inner tube valve into the appropriate hole, flip the toggle
switch, start pumping, and the air keeps coming out the other hole.
For internet bicyclists this is of no concern since they don't actually
ride bikes. But for people who ride bikes, spend some more money and
get a pump head that works.

Quoted message said:

I really was pleasantly surprised by this pump -- it works great.

JT

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My Park PFP-3 has the same behavior you describe for the "cheap Nashbar pump
head". It is not just a Nashbar problem.