Which floor pump head?

landotter said:

The gimpy plastic [censored] that passed for a head on my otherwise OK Joe
Blow finally fell apart. I've got three bikes with presta and one with
schrader valves. I'm tempted to just get a good 'ole brass Silca
presta only head, as they're pretty bomb proof, and using a frame pump
on the schrader bike the rare times I ride it.

Thoughts? Do those brass schrader to presta (not to be confused with
the common reverse) things work?

I've changed all of my Silca pumps from the presta heads that quickly
stopped staying on the valve stems to the Topeak Smarthead. The
cheaper Topeak Joe Blow pumps come with a cheaper pump head.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=11445&subcategory_ID=4363

email hidden said:

I've changed all of my Silca pumps from the presta heads that quickly
stopped staying on the valve stems to the Topeak Smarthead. The
cheaper Topeak Joe Blow pumps come with a cheaper pump head.

I'd looked into putting a Smarthead (which I bought) onto my Joe Blow,
but never got around to it. The Joe Blow unfortunately comes with a
one-piece tube and head, and if I remember rightly, putting the
Smarthead on involves some cutting and splicing.

email hidden said:

landotter said:

The gimpy plastic [censored] that passed for a head on my otherwise OK Joe
Blow finally fell apart. I've got three bikes with presta and one with
schrader valves. I'm tempted to just get a good 'ole brass Silca
presta only head, as they're pretty bomb proof, and using a frame pump
on the schrader bike the rare times I ride it.

Quoted message said:

Thoughts? Do those brass schrader to presta (not to be confused with
the common reverse) things work?

I've changed all of my Silca pumps from the presta heads that quickly
stopped staying on the valve stems to the Topeak Smarthead. The
cheaper Topeak Joe Blow pumps come with a cheaper pump head.

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=11445&subcategory...

Hmmm, they stock this at the local REI and I've been skeptical of it.
I want a second opinion before I commit. :-P

Andrew Price said:

On 27 Feb 2007 12:58:46 -0800, "[email hidden]"

Quoted message said:

I've changed all of my Silca pumps from the presta heads that quickly
stopped staying on the valve stems to the Topeak Smarthead. The
cheaper Topeak Joe Blow pumps come with a cheaper pump head.

I'd looked into putting a Smarthead (which I bought) onto my Joe Blow,
but never got around to it. The Joe Blow unfortunately comes with a
one-piece tube and head, and if I remember rightly, putting the
Smarthead on involves some cutting and splicing.

Quoted message said:

From the pics it looks like it'll thread right onto mine. At any rate,

I'm not intimidated by hose clamp tech. I've got the JB "Max" model,
FWIW.

Andrew Price said:

On 27 Feb 2007 12:58:46 -0800, "[email hidden]"

Quoted message said:

I've changed all of my Silca pumps from the presta heads that quickly
stopped staying on the valve stems to the Topeak Smarthead. The
cheaper Topeak Joe Blow pumps come with a cheaper pump head.

I'd looked into putting a Smarthead (which I bought) onto my Joe Blow,
but never got around to it. The Joe Blow unfortunately comes with a
one-piece tube and head, and if I remember rightly, putting the
Smarthead on involves some cutting and splicing.

The kit for the Smarthead comes with all kinds of adaptors and comes
with a new hose. It should be just take the old hose and head off and
put the new hose and head on.

For the Silca pumps there was no adaptor that worked in the kit but I
was still able to slip the hose itself over the barbed brass end on
the Silca and use a hose clamp to tighten it. I did not splice
anything.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I've changed all of my Silca pumps from the presta heads that quickly
stopped staying on the valve stems to the Topeak Smarthead. The
cheaper Topeak Joe Blow pumps come with a cheaper pump head.

Quoted message said:

http://www.performancebike.com/shop/profile.cfm?SKU=11445&subcategory...

Hmmm, they stock this at the local REI and I've been skeptical of it.
I want a second opinion before I commit. :-P

I've got the Smarthead on both my Joe Blow Pro and my Blackturn TP-3.
It works great, except in very cold weather, where it can be kinda
finicky with Presta valves and I have to get the head on "just right"
to avoid leakage while pumping.

Works great for topping off car tires too.

The pump head on Topeak's cheaper pumps (like the JB Sport) aren't
very good IMHO. My brother has one of those and there's just no
comparison with the Smarthead in terms of ease of use.

landotter said:

The gimpy plastic [censored] that passed for a head on my otherwise OK Joe
Blow finally fell apart. I've got three bikes with presta and one with
schrader valves. I'm tempted to just get a good 'ole brass Silca
presta only head, as they're pretty bomb proof, and using a frame pump
on the schrader bike the rare times I ride it.

Thoughts? Do those brass schrader to presta (not to be confused with
the common reverse) things work?

I have one of the double Silca brass heads, where the presta head
screws in/out of the schrader fitting. Like this but all brass:

http://westernbikeworks.com/productdetail.asp?p=SNJWI&tnum=5973739&c=7960355

Oddly enough, although it's not as handy as a clamp-on head, it's the
schrader that works the best of the two (for the kid bikes), given the
presta valves currently available.

For inflatables, I use the clamp-on Zefal, which holds a needle filler
just fine. No gauge, of course.

I'd love to get a clamp-on, instant convert or easy convert pump head,
but the ones I've tried (several) are just too cheesy. --D-y

Quoted post said:

landotter said:

The gimpy plastic [censored] that passed for a head on my otherwise OK Joe
Blow finally fell apart. I've got three bikes with presta and one with
schrader valves. I'm tempted to just get a good 'ole brass Silca
presta only head, as they're pretty bomb proof, and using a frame pump
on the schrader bike the rare times I ride it.

Quoted message said:

Thoughts? Do those brass schrader to presta (not to be confused with
the common reverse) things work?

I have one of the double Silca brass heads, where the presta head
screws in/out of the schrader fitting. Like this but all brass:

http://westernbikeworks.com/productdetail.asp?p=SNJWI&tnum=5973739&c=...

Oddly enough, although it's not as handy as a clamp-on head, it's the
schrader that works the best of the two (for the kid bikes), given the
presta valves currently available.

I'd be grateful if you would elaborate, as that head was on my short
list. What are the presta shortcomings?

landotter said:

The gimpy plastic [censored] that passed for a head on my otherwise OK Joe
Blow finally fell apart. I've got three bikes with presta and one with
schrader valves. I'm tempted to just get a good 'ole brass Silca
presta only head, as they're pretty bomb proof, and using a frame pump
on the schrader bike the rare times I ride it.

Thoughts? Do those brass schrader to presta (not to be confused with
the common reverse) things work?

We have a brass Silca head that is both schraeder and pista-$12...

landotter said:

I'd be grateful if you would elaborate, as that head was on my short
list. What are the presta shortcomings?

There's no clamp. The head doesn't hold tight on all valve stems. With
some, it works as we (like to) remember from days of old <g>. If you
google, you can find a pressure release button that Jobst Brandt added
to his Silca head to make it easier to get the head off an inflated
tire's valve stem. WIth some valve stems, you pump with one hand at
least to get started, because the head leaks without backup.

I still use the thing (30yrs almost) but I'm ready any time someone
comes up with a clamping head that is not made outa cheeze. --D-y

On 27 Feb 2007 12:54:12 -0800, "landotter" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Thoughts? Do those brass schrader to presta (not to be confused with
the common reverse) things work?

I've had great luck with the presta bell shaped head and miserable
luck with the head that does both by screwing on to Schrader valves.

My best head is the Topeak Smarthead. I it inflates Schrader valves
fine, although I don't do that often. The plunger, used for Schrader
heads does a nice job of opening the presta valve before air goes in.

email hidden said:

Quoted message said:

I'd looked into putting a Smarthead (which I bought) onto my Joe Blow,
but never got around to it. The Joe Blow unfortunately comes with a
one-piece tube and head, and if I remember rightly, putting the
Smarthead on involves some cutting and splicing.

The kit for the Smarthead comes with all kinds of adaptors and comes
with a new hose.

Correct.

Quoted message said:

It should be just take the old hose and head off and
put the new hose and head on.

Now I remember what the "gotcha" is - it isn't just that the Joe Blow
has a one piece hose and head - that could be solved easily by just
replacing the whole assembly, as you suggest. The problem is that the
hose is also permanently fixed to the base of the pump (at least on my
model) so there is no way of attaching the Smarthead without cutting
the old tube and splicing/joining it somehow to the Smarthead hose.

Andrew Price said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

I'd looked into putting a Smarthead (which I bought) onto my Joe Blow,
but never got around to it. The Joe Blow unfortunately comes with a
one-piece tube and head, and if I remember rightly, putting the
Smarthead on involves some cutting and splicing.

The kit for the Smarthead comes with all kinds of adaptors and comes
with a new hose.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

It should be just take the old hose and head off and
put the new hose and head on.

Andrew Price said:

Now I remember what the "gotcha" is - it isn't just that the Joe Blow
has a one piece hose and head - that could be solved easily by just
replacing the whole assembly, as you suggest. The problem is that the
hose is also permanently fixed to the base of the pump (at least on my
model) so there is no way of attaching the Smarthead without cutting
the old tube and splicing/joining it somehow to the Smarthead hose.

"has a one piece hose and head"? No it doesn't. Not fatally anyway.
Use a razor just behind the head, 95c hose clamp for the new head.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971

On Wed, 28 Feb 2007 12:31:53 -0600, A Muzi <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Now I remember what the "gotcha" is - it isn't just that the Joe Blow
has a one piece hose and head - that could be solved easily by just
replacing the whole assembly, as you suggest. The problem is that the
hose is also permanently fixed to the base of the pump (at least on my
model) so there is no way of attaching the Smarthead without cutting
the old tube and splicing/joining it somehow to the Smarthead hose.

"has a one piece hose and head"? No it doesn't. Not fatally anyway.
Use a razor just behind the head, 95c hose clamp for the new head.

Yes, I was thinking of doing something like that. Just haven't got
around to it yet...

Quoted message said:

I've changed all of my Silca pumps from the presta heads that quickly
stopped staying on the valve stems to the Topeak Smarthead. The
cheaper Topeak Joe Blow pumps come with a cheaper pump head.

If your brass Silca pump head doesn't stay on the valve, it means the
gasket is worn out. These should be readily available from your LBS, or
on line. E.g.

http://www.biketoolsetc.com/index.cgi?id=594510960559&d=single&c=Tools&sc=Tire-and-Tube&tc=Pump-Parts&item_id=SI-24.1

--

John ([email hidden])

On Feb 28, 7:52 am, "Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

The gimpy plastic [censored] that passed for a head on my otherwise OK Joe
Blow finally fell apart. I've got three bikes with presta and one with
schrader valves. I'm tempted to just get a good 'ole brass Silca
presta only head, as they're pretty bomb proof, and using a frame pump
on the schrader bike the rare times I ride it.

Quoted message said:

Thoughts? Do those brass schrader to presta (not to be confused with
the common reverse) things work?

We have a brass Silca head that is both schraeder and pista-$12...

Grazie! I think that's what I'm gonna get. After this gimpy plastic
[censored], a classic brass number should be satisfying. I always enjoyed
using the LBS's silca head when dropping by, didn't know it was
available in a convertible version. Excellent! Dov'è il bagno?

On Feb 28, 7:52 am, "Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

The gimpy plastic [censored] that passed for a head on my otherwise OK Joe
Blow finally fell apart. I've got three bikes with presta and one with
schrader valves. I'm tempted to just get a good 'ole brass Silca
presta only head, as they're pretty bomb proof, and using a frame pump
on the schrader bike the rare times I ride it.

Quoted message said:

Thoughts? Do those brass schrader to presta (not to be confused with
the common reverse) things work?

We have a brass Silca head that is both schraeder and pista-$12...

Grazie! I think that's what I'm gonna get. After this gimpy plastic
[censored], a classic brass number should be satisfying. I always enjoyed
using the LBS's silca head when dropping by, didn't know it was
available in a convertible version. Excellent! Dov'è il bagno?

landotter said:

On Feb 28, 7:52 am, "Qui si parla Campagnolo" <[email hidden]>

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

The gimpy plastic [censored] that passed for a head on my otherwise OK Joe
Blow finally fell apart. I've got three bikes with presta and one with
schrader valves. I'm tempted to just get a good 'ole brass Silca
presta only head, as they're pretty bomb proof, and using a frame pump
on the schrader bike the rare times I ride it.

Quoted message said:

Thoughts? Do those brass schrader to presta (not to be confused with
the common reverse) things work?

We have a brass Silca head that is both schraeder and pista-$12...

Grazie! I think that's what I'm gonna get. After this gimpy plastic
[censored], a classic brass number should be satisfying. I always enjoyed
using the LBS's silca head when dropping by, didn't know it was
available in a convertible version. Excellent! Dov'è il bagno?

I've about had it with the Silca brass pump head on my Silca track pump.
Besides the gasket wearing out frequently, because it doesn't depress the
valve stem, I've got to put about 180 psi into the pump before it cracks
the tube valve. I have to be careful I don't blow the gage. This is after I
tap the valve stem to loosen up the seal. My Joe Blow pump with the thumb
lock is so much nicer to use, and I don't loose pressure already in the
tube by having to tap the valve stem to loosen the seal. Pulling off the
pump head is a pain too. I know there's old timers that wax nostalgic about
Silca pumps, parts are available to rebuild them, etc., but there's better
pumps out there.

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

"landotter" <[email hidden]> wrote:
> The gimpy plastic [censored] that passed for a head on my otherwise OK Joe
> Blow finally fell apart. I've got three bikes with presta and one with
> schrader valves. I'm tempted to just get a good 'ole brass Silca
> presta only head, as they're pretty bomb proof, and using a frame pump
> on the schrader bike the rare times I ride it.
> Thoughts? Do those brass schrader to presta (not to be confused with
> the common reverse) things work?

Quoted message said:

Quoted message said:

Qui si parla Campagnolo said:

We have a brass Silca head that is both schraeder and pista-$12...

Quoted message said:

landotter said:

Grazie! I think that's what I'm gonna get. After this gimpy plastic
[censored], a classic brass number should be satisfying. I always enjoyed
using the LBS's silca head when dropping by, didn't know it was
available in a convertible version. Excellent! Dov'è il bagno?

Mike DeMicco said:

I've about had it with the Silca brass pump head on my Silca track pump.
Besides the gasket wearing out frequently, because it doesn't depress the
valve stem, I've got to put about 180 psi into the pump before it cracks
the tube valve. I have to be careful I don't blow the gage. This is after I
tap the valve stem to loosen up the seal. My Joe Blow pump with the thumb
lock is so much nicer to use, and I don't loose pressure already in the
tube by having to tap the valve stem to loosen the seal. Pulling off the
pump head is a pain too. I know there's old timers that wax nostalgic about
Silca pumps, parts are available to rebuild them, etc., but there's better
pumps out there.

If I live long enough, my '72 Silca should be on it's eighth or tenth
washer twenty years from now. Check with me on your plastic one then. Of
course as all things cycling, riders vary in their taste.

--
Andrew Muzi
www.yellowjersey.org
Open every day since 1 April, 1971