Jay Beattie said:Woland99 said:philcycles said:In 50 years of riding my Silcas have never failed me.
Phil Brown
I researched Silca and their Impero frame pumps are unfortunately
out of print - some Internet shop may still have them tho. Looks
like a true classic. Only concern is how well it stays on Presta
valve? Can you lock it? Or do you have to press with your hand?
Unlike Phil, I have broken Silca pumps at the top of the pump body
(where the cap screws in to the body) and had pump shafts shoot out
like arrows.
Yup, I've had the "handle" crack and nearly break off the shaft. But
that's in 20+ years of use.
Quoted message said:There is no thumb lock (which really is not necessary
with a good gasket seal);
Agreed.
Quoted message said:they are not at the very front of the pack
in terms of achieving inflation pressure,
I can get 125 psi with a Silca, but it's *really* hard; takes double the
force on the handle as a Zefal (pump chamber has double the
cross-sectional area of the Zefal).
Quoted message said:and they are not as durable as the Zefal HPX.
Amen. I have several HP's (HPX predecessor), the oldest going on 32
years. Caught one in the tandem's crossover chain, put chainring "bite
dents" in it, managed to pound out the dents by ramming a ratchet socket
through the tube, and can still get 120 psi from the thing. Bombproof.
Lots of Silcas on Ebay, and plenty of Zefal HP/HPX's there too.
Mark J.