Silca SuperPista is a lemon: alternatives?
Moderator: robbosmans
Now that my Silca Super Pista has failed for the 3rd time in 9 months (now the gauge has stopped working) and the retailer has provided a full refund I am interested in alternatives. I really hoped the Silca would have been the last pump I would have to buy- 2 friends of mine also purchased the same pump and have had similar issues (bad batch?). Anyway, is there a floor pump out there that is genuinely designed to last with minimal issues? I don't care about price, just want something of the highest quality.
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This pump is the only one that has ladted for me. Topeak joeblows on the otherhand fail all the time.
The super pista i buy though are no where near the price of the overpriced pumps on the web today.
The super pista i buy though are no where near the price of the overpriced pumps on the web today.
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bm0p700f wrote:This pump is the only one that has ladted for me. Topeak joeblows on the otherhand fail all the time.
The super pista i buy though are no where near the price of the overpriced pumps on the web today.
So many ppl swear by the original Silca pumps, based on my experience (and my friends) these new ones pale in comparison. The only "new Silca" product that has worked flawlessly for me so far is the pocket impero mini pump- a wonderful product.
It seems just about every pump is a fifty-fifty proposition. Half end up lemons and half work well forever.
My Park PFP-4 has served me well for about ten years. They still manufacture it with only minor changes. Still around $50.
Looking at Amazon reviews, about half the people gave it a failing grade, while the other half raved about it.
Funny that my vote should come in at 3.5 stars. The chuck does not play well with Schrader valves.
And you gotta insert the presta in just right or it won't work properly.
It disassembles fairly easily to lube. I replaced a dollar o-ring inside the gauge once, but never the presta rubber gasket.
Accurate gauge and it generally functions flawlessly. They probably should locate the gauge at the floor but my eyesight likes it closer.
The hose seems far to long, in my opinion, although I've learned to deal with it.
My Park PFP-4 has served me well for about ten years. They still manufacture it with only minor changes. Still around $50.
Looking at Amazon reviews, about half the people gave it a failing grade, while the other half raved about it.
Funny that my vote should come in at 3.5 stars. The chuck does not play well with Schrader valves.
And you gotta insert the presta in just right or it won't work properly.
It disassembles fairly easily to lube. I replaced a dollar o-ring inside the gauge once, but never the presta rubber gasket.
Accurate gauge and it generally functions flawlessly. They probably should locate the gauge at the floor but my eyesight likes it closer.
The hose seems far to long, in my opinion, although I've learned to deal with it.
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Asteroid wrote:It seems just about every pump is a fifty-fifty proposition. Half end up lemons and half work well forever.
My Park PFP-4 has served me well for about ten years. They still manufacture it with only minor changes. Still around $50.
Looking at Amazon reviews, about half the people gave it a failing grade, while the other half raved about it.
I'm on the failing side. Tried 3 (supplier replacing each time) and the best of them was 15psi off the truth. Which is really disappointing as I have a lot of faith in park.
Have a lezyne digital of some sort (just checked on site - it's the CNC top model) that matches the readings from the pressure gauge well. Not having a quick engagement lever is a bit of a pain, but I can deal with that in return for knowing that the measurements are reliable. Wouldn't have tried the brand if it weren't for one of my clients on a Lezyne sponsored World Tour team bringing it home, but I'm happy with it.
I actually find the Silca chuck very annoying since the hose is stiff enough to often cause it to be sideways and not feed air into the tube or it leaks air and whatnot. I've had a Hirame which worked well as long as all of your valves are from the same mfg and same diameter, otherwise you were constantly adjusting it. To be honest, the lezyne one while slower, consistently works with all valves, including nubs where it's barely protruding above the rim.
Since I'm ragging on Silca, I have the frame pump and frankly, I hate it. It rattles from the inside, ruining my tranquility on the bike. Using it also is an exercise in the zen of not moving the pump while pumping whereas the small Lezyne pump I have I can flaff it about as I struggle to pump the tire up.
Maybe the Silca products are one of those supermodels with an IQ of 50.
Since I'm ragging on Silca, I have the frame pump and frankly, I hate it. It rattles from the inside, ruining my tranquility on the bike. Using it also is an exercise in the zen of not moving the pump while pumping whereas the small Lezyne pump I have I can flaff it about as I struggle to pump the tire up.
Maybe the Silca products are one of those supermodels with an IQ of 50.
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I bought a chuck head from an SKS Rennkompressor and attached it to a Lezyne digital gauge pump.
Best of both worlds: Accurate measurement and quick release engagement.
Downside: Doesn't have a pressure release to allow gradual pressure reduction to the desired pressure. Also I used an early Lezyne Sport Digital Drive (no longer available?) as the donor because it was the first digital gauge model available. It has a plastic barrel and is flimsy. Would have been better to start with the CNC model.
Best of both worlds: Accurate measurement and quick release engagement.
Downside: Doesn't have a pressure release to allow gradual pressure reduction to the desired pressure. Also I used an early Lezyne Sport Digital Drive (no longer available?) as the donor because it was the first digital gauge model available. It has a plastic barrel and is flimsy. Would have been better to start with the CNC model.
Lezyne CNC has been serving me very well for the last 5 years. Running latex through out the weels, it is in frequent use.
Recently I threw Silca Hiro 2 chuck on it, it speeded up the whole pumping process.
Recently I threw Silca Hiro 2 chuck on it, it speeded up the whole pumping process.
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SKS Renncompressor + Hirame: > 10 years.
Original Silca (now in boot of car for when I meet stranded cyclists) > 25 years.
Original Silca (now in boot of car for when I meet stranded cyclists) > 25 years.
Another sad silca user here. I purchased two silca products lately. The floor pump is loud and not comfortable to use. The pocket impero failed on me on the road. I still have to figure out why it's not pumping air at all.
I still use my entry level specialized floor pump I purchased 5 years ago. It's flawless. For mobile inflation, I'm gonna try out Pro's mini pump soon... Smaller and lighter than the silca impero, like the thread on design and I hope this actually works...
I still use my entry level specialized floor pump I purchased 5 years ago. It's flawless. For mobile inflation, I'm gonna try out Pro's mini pump soon... Smaller and lighter than the silca impero, like the thread on design and I hope this actually works...
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