Favorite mini pump.
#76
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Back when the best regarded pumps were Zefal and Silca, I tried them both many times. The Zefal won handily. [MENTION=392125]79pmooney[/MENTION] is right about handling abuse. Plastic is not as durable as aluminum.
And folks, it's Zefal with an 'f' not a 'ph'. Z-E-F-A-L
Silca may be an admirable company, but it doesn't raise the Impero pump in my eyes. I'm comparing pumps, not companies.
And folks, it's Zefal with an 'f' not a 'ph'. Z-E-F-A-L
Silca may be an admirable company, but it doesn't raise the Impero pump in my eyes. I'm comparing pumps, not companies.
When I bought my road bike that has a Campy drive train, I decided that some vintage Reg brand water bottle cages that were made in Italy decades ago were the right cages for it. It just occured to me, I have a Zefal on that bike, but a Silca pump in storage. I might need to swap pumps.
#77
Senior Member
noglider Posted: Silca may be an admirable company, but it doesn't raise the Impero pump in my eyes. I'm comparing pumps, not companies.
Tourist in MSN Posted: I think some users value Italian brands more the French.
When I bought my road bike that has a Campy drive train, I decided that some vintage Reg brand water bottle cages that were made in Italy decades ago were the right cages for it. It just occured to me, I have a Zefal on that bike, but a Silca pump in storage. I might need to swap pumps.
When I bought my road bike that has a Campy drive train, I decided that some vintage Reg brand water bottle cages that were made in Italy decades ago were the right cages for it. It just occured to me, I have a Zefal on that bike, but a Silca pump in storage. I might need to swap pumps.
#78
Great advice, I'll have to try it
#79
79pmooney: By 2013, SILCA was the oldest company in the bicycle industry to have been continually owned by the same family. In August of 2013, Claudio Sacchi, grandson of Felice, sold the company to Joshua Poertner an American. I had one of those old Silca pumps and put the Campi pump head on it. I believe the pump body was plastic. I later replaced it with a Zephal. The company sold in name only. The current pumps are of American design and are higher quality than the old Zephal pumps. Silca does sell replacement parts for the older floor pumps and makes a few models of their own along with some cutting edge racing bicycle tools and accessories.
#80
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Silca Tattico pump takes 300 strokes to get to 85, and anything past 85 took a huge strength effort, whereas the Lezyne Road Drive large took 200 strokes to get to 100 with less effort. The Lezyne Road Drive large weighs 120 grams whereas the Silca Tattico weighs 165.
But there is a newer pump that escaped my radar, that one is made by Topeak called the Roadie 2stage, I saw a video of a guy who pumped the Roadie 2stage to 100 psi never had more than 2 fingers on the pump to show how easy it was to pump, but it took about 350 strokes, This pump has me so intrigued I'm going to have to order it! This video is for the smaller mini version, the longer version won't take near as many strokes, but you can see how easy it is to use, he's just using 2 fingers when he switches to high pressure mode:
But there is a newer pump that escaped my radar, that one is made by Topeak called the Roadie 2stage, I saw a video of a guy who pumped the Roadie 2stage to 100 psi never had more than 2 fingers on the pump to show how easy it was to pump, but it took about 350 strokes, This pump has me so intrigued I'm going to have to order it! This video is for the smaller mini version, the longer version won't take near as many strokes, but you can see how easy it is to use, he's just using 2 fingers when he switches to high pressure mode:
Last edited by rekmeyata; 03-26-24 at 09:52 PM.
#81
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Topeak confused me a bit, they make a Roadie 2 stage, and a Roadie TT, and thought the TT had the 2 stage design, it does not evidently, only the 2stage one does, the 2stage one is the easy one to use at high pressure
#82
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I found a flaw with my pump. It has a hose which I screw onto the valve stem. Nowadays, some brand new tubes have valve cores which are not screwed in tightly. I was commuting to work and got a flat, changed the tube, and every time I removed the hose, the valve core came out. I guess I'll check all my tubes before I put them in my tool bag, but I'm not happy about this. I ended up getting back on my route by flagging down a cyclist and using his pump, the kind you just push on and pull off.
I have enough to do while prepping for rides; I don't need to add checking valve core tightness to my checklist.
Every time I see one of these threads I think maybe there's an upgrade from my ancient Road Morph. Other than adding a gauge with a G, I'm not seeing it. Must-haves to me are a hose, clamp-on head, and base that allows pumping against the ground. Frame mount means it's always there; again I don't need another checklist item.
I did a rainy 600k around the Olympic Peninsula a few years ago, and afterwards found the pump was full of water. By rainy I mean pretty much 600km of rain. What a slog. Since then I've kept a piece of tape over the head.
#83
I use a Topeak Road Morph pump. I got this to replace my previous Topeak mini pump, which served me well for a dozen years until I wore it out. The Road Morph has a gauge, a hose which can be extended, and a tab which can be used to hold the pump in place with your foot. You can unscrew and reverse the collar on the pump head to switch between presta and Schrader. I have found this pump to be good enough to do the job of a floor pump, it works on road and MTB tires, and can easily pump over 120 psi.
#84
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I'll keep this pump, but I won't buy another screw-on pump for presta valves, and I'll recommend against them.
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#85
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Threaded chucks have pros and cons, just like press-on chucks. Generally I prefer threaded chucks on mini pumps because they're more compact and put less stress on latex tubes.
I have had a valve core come loose on me once, causing a slow leak that baffled me until I figured out the problem. So now I'm in the habit of checking valve cores often. And I usually carry a valve core wrench, replacement valve core and extension hollow tube (although I have only one set of high profile aero rims and don't really need the valve extensions).
The only problem I've had with latex tubes over the past several years is the valve is attached to a latex patch that is glued to the main body of the tube. The force of press-on chuck in a partially inflated latex tube tends to cause the valve to separate from the tube over time. That's always been the failure point for my Vittoria (and Vittoria-made SIlca) latex tubes. A threaded chuck puts less pressure on that spot with a partially inflated tube.
My floor pump (Nashbar Earl Grey, good and cheap when it was available) has a press-on/clamp-on chuck. When I need to inflate an under-inflated latex tube I'll deflate the tube completely to reduce some of that pressure on the vulnerable glued patch holding the valve in place.
And I need to partially disassemble the floor pump chuck once in awhile to clean it out, otherwise it won't clamp securely on valves. Especially the Vittoria and Silca latex tubes with valves that have smooth aluminum tubes, no threads or knurling to give the clamp-on chuck something to grab securely. The slightest bit of oil, even from my hands, or water can cause the clamp-on chuck to pop loose during inflating, or to leak almost as fast as I can pump. Usually a quick wipe of the valve and chuck cleans it up well enough, but occasionally I need to unscrew the collar that holds the rubber O-rings in place, and clean the O-rings with isopropyl alcohol.
I have had a valve core come loose on me once, causing a slow leak that baffled me until I figured out the problem. So now I'm in the habit of checking valve cores often. And I usually carry a valve core wrench, replacement valve core and extension hollow tube (although I have only one set of high profile aero rims and don't really need the valve extensions).
The only problem I've had with latex tubes over the past several years is the valve is attached to a latex patch that is glued to the main body of the tube. The force of press-on chuck in a partially inflated latex tube tends to cause the valve to separate from the tube over time. That's always been the failure point for my Vittoria (and Vittoria-made SIlca) latex tubes. A threaded chuck puts less pressure on that spot with a partially inflated tube.
My floor pump (Nashbar Earl Grey, good and cheap when it was available) has a press-on/clamp-on chuck. When I need to inflate an under-inflated latex tube I'll deflate the tube completely to reduce some of that pressure on the vulnerable glued patch holding the valve in place.
And I need to partially disassemble the floor pump chuck once in awhile to clean it out, otherwise it won't clamp securely on valves. Especially the Vittoria and Silca latex tubes with valves that have smooth aluminum tubes, no threads or knurling to give the clamp-on chuck something to grab securely. The slightest bit of oil, even from my hands, or water can cause the clamp-on chuck to pop loose during inflating, or to leak almost as fast as I can pump. Usually a quick wipe of the valve and chuck cleans it up well enough, but occasionally I need to unscrew the collar that holds the rubber O-rings in place, and clean the O-rings with isopropyl alcohol.
#86
Senior Member
.cranklecat Posted: Threaded chucks have pros and cons, just like press-on chucks. Generally I prefer threaded chucks on mini pumps because they're more compact and put less stress on latex tubes.
I have had a valve core come loose on me once, causing a slow leak that baffled me until I figured out the problem. So now I'm in the habit of checking valve cores often.
I have had a valve core come loose on me once, causing a slow leak that baffled me until I figured out the problem. So now I'm in the habit of checking valve cores often.
Last edited by Rick; 03-27-24 at 11:14 PM.
#87
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I tried this and similar chucks for the hand and floor pumps, and they were useless. Presumably, they are meant exclusively for hoses constantly under pressure, i.e., fed by a compressor.
#88
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2 i Posted: I tried this and similar chucks for the hand and floor pumps, and they were useless. Presumably, they are meant exclusively for hoses constantly under pressure, i.e., fed by a compressor.
#89
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Threaded chucks have pros and cons, just like press-on chucks. Generally I prefer threaded chucks on mini pumps because they're more compact and put less stress on latex tubes.
The only problem I've had with latex tubes over the past several years is the valve is attached to a latex patch that is glued to the main body of the tube. The force of press-on chuck in a partially inflated latex tube tends to cause the valve to separate from the tube over time.
The only problem I've had with latex tubes over the past several years is the valve is attached to a latex patch that is glued to the main body of the tube. The force of press-on chuck in a partially inflated latex tube tends to cause the valve to separate from the tube over time.
This is interesting to know, because a lot of pumps are press on chucks, and this is the first I've heard of this issue with latex tubes.
Thanks
#90
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For a decade and a half or so I carried* the two-stage Swedish Quicker Pro, praised by Compass Bikes and Velo Orange back in the day. I'm not sure if it's available anymore; a 'net search indicated 'no'.
*Shrug. I maybe pumped two on-the-road flats with this. I don't get a lot of flats. I dunno. Seemed okay, but I didn't name a child after it or anything.
*Shrug. I maybe pumped two on-the-road flats with this. I don't get a lot of flats. I dunno. Seemed okay, but I didn't name a child after it or anything.
#91
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Surprised to find 4 pages on manual pumps. It seemed like all the cool kids used CO2 for a good bit but are now migrating to those little electric pumps.
#92
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#93
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I'm a real big fan of the Lyzene, because my frame has mounts for it. If it wears out and they go under, I'm in trouble, might have to find an old zefal
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#95
I do also have a cheap, tiny micro pump from Chain Reaction. It’s hard work to use and feels a bit flimsy (which is why I bought the Tattico), but it fits much better in a jersey pocket. I carry the Tattico on a bottle mount. It’s fine but quite a piece to just carry around for the ride!
#96
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I learned a good tip for using CO2 though. If the cartridge isn't enough to fill your tire and you want to use it with a pump, better to do the pumping first and letting the cartridge top you up. If you use the cartridge first, topping up with the pump takes more force since the pressure is higher.
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#97
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My brother in law gave me a CO2 kit. I haven't used it. I don't trust it. I'll empty the cartridge prematurely or something. And CO2 leaks after a day. What if I need two or three cartridges? My pump is more reliable.
I learned a good tip for using CO2 though. If the cartridge isn't enough to fill your tire and you want to use it with a pump, better to do the pumping first and letting the cartridge top you up. If you use the cartridge first, topping up with the pump takes more force since the pressure is higher.
I learned a good tip for using CO2 though. If the cartridge isn't enough to fill your tire and you want to use it with a pump, better to do the pumping first and letting the cartridge top you up. If you use the cartridge first, topping up with the pump takes more force since the pressure is higher.
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#98
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Yeah carrying only a cartridge seems silly. If you want it to save you the pumping trouble, that's fine.
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#100
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I have never used a CO2 cartridge, only a pump. But I have witnessed several friends use up their one and only CO2 cartridge and suddenly were out of luck without as much air as they wanted. Or in one case, had to wait for the spouse to pick them up at some road intersection when their spare tube started to leak too.
I could understand using CO2, put not having a back up plan is just plain stupid considering they make hybrid pumps that do both!