My pumphead keeps leaking. Anybody have a favorite?
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My pumphead keeps leaking. Anybody have a favorite?
I used to use the Silca push-on but got tired of having to replace the rubber part frequently at like $8-10 a pop, and it was too hard to push on and get off. Then I went with a lever-type that originally came with some long-gone pump I had that leaks using the Presta side of it at the higher pressures. Anybody have a favorite pump head they're satisfied with?
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The Silca Hiro is very nice. I do have to replace the grommet about once a year.
if you get the genuine Silca polymer grommet it may last longer. And of course you can tighten the ring for a better "bite" if it starts hissing.
/markp
if you get the genuine Silca polymer grommet it may last longer. And of course you can tighten the ring for a better "bite" if it starts hissing.
/markp
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the original that Silca tried to copy but failed.
Amazon.com: KUWAHARA HIRAME Pump Head Yoko with Hose Band : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
I have both and the Kuwahara is the one I use all the time.
Amazon.com: KUWAHARA HIRAME Pump Head Yoko with Hose Band : Clothing, Shoes & Jewelry
I have both and the Kuwahara is the one I use all the time.
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I am not good with my pump heads. I get them gunked up, cracked with heat, stepped on, bent, over all abused. So now I have gone to cheap disposable pump heads. I use them till they start having problems then just replace them. My pump gets allot of use by me and the neighborhood.
Amazon 7 USD
Amazon 7 USD
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I love this beastie.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Topeak-Joe-...htm?sku=404305
I lnow it’s the full thing, not what you asked for, but it has taken quite a beating and still like new.
https://www.tredz.co.uk/.Topeak-Joe-...htm?sku=404305
I lnow it’s the full thing, not what you asked for, but it has taken quite a beating and still like new.
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I also have both and they are more or less equivalent in function. the Kuwahara grommet is hard (er) to find. you can get it out of Japan.
/markp
/markp
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The Silca Hiro is much more versatile. No hose clamp needed. It works perfectly for me. It’s hardly a “failure.”
Last edited by smd4; 10-29-23 at 03:42 PM.
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Thanks for all the great information, gents! The silca sounds like a quality item, and I like the fact that you can get the rubber inserts in the USA without getting them from Japan. I'd have to get used to the fact that it costs more than alot of the bikes I've had in my life. The two-per-package el-cheapo disposable pumpheads noted above are probably the most sensible. I'll mull it over.
Last edited by Raleigh71; 10-29-23 at 05:52 PM.
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Thanks for all the great information, gents! The silca sounds like a quality item, and I like the fact that you can get the rubber inserts in the USA without getting them from Japan. I'd have to get used to the fact that it costs more than alot of the bikes I've had in my life. The two-per-package el-cheapo disposable pumpheads noted above are probably the most sensible. I'll mull it over.
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..
.....FWIW, I've had good luck with this: Topeak Twinhead Bicycle Floor Pump Upgrade Kit. You can buy the head gasket rebuild kit for about ten bucks
.....FWIW, I've had good luck with this: Topeak Twinhead Bicycle Floor Pump Upgrade Kit. You can buy the head gasket rebuild kit for about ten bucks
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I used to use the Silca push-on but got tired of having to replace the rubber part frequently at like $8-10 a pop, and it was too hard to push on and get off. Then I went with a lever-type that originally came with some long-gone pump I had that leaks using the Presta side of it at the higher pressures. Anybody have a favorite pump head they're satisfied with?
An alternative to the Silca chuck is the SKS pump adapter. I’ve used it extensively at my local co-op and it’s amazing how robust it is for something so cheap. That’s as long as someone doesn’t take it apart and lose the parts because they don’t understand how to use it
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Last edited by cyccommute; 10-30-23 at 11:01 AM.
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Yup. I thread on a Silca chuck which works quite well. But I wouldn’t thread it onto the valve.
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Another vote for Lezyne thread-on. The most secure and confident connection I've encountered. Sure it pulls out the occasional valve core but I always tighten my valve cores down before using.
There are high quality slip-on chucks but their design seems to wear out quicker (especially when used with threaded valve stems) and may be more prone to bending out a valve pin. They are quicker to use, but I like to take my time to ensure a good contact when airing up anyways - so no issue for me.
There are high quality slip-on chucks but their design seems to wear out quicker (especially when used with threaded valve stems) and may be more prone to bending out a valve pin. They are quicker to use, but I like to take my time to ensure a good contact when airing up anyways - so no issue for me.
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.....FWIW, I've had good luck with this: Topeak Twinhead Bicycle Floor Pump Upgrade Kit. You can buy the head gasket rebuild kit for about ten bucks
.....FWIW, I've had good luck with this: Topeak Twinhead Bicycle Floor Pump Upgrade Kit. You can buy the head gasket rebuild kit for about ten bucks
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So you’ve never used a Hiro? The Lezyne’s only drawback is that it pulls the valve cores?? Seriously?
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Yes I think the major flaw with the Lezyne is it can pull out a core which is super annoying. But since I'm used to it I know how to avoid it. I like that it threads on and doesn't really put pressure on the valve stem like some of the other bulky chucks do (not talking about the Hiro, but in general).
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Well, you asked for favorites. Here's mine.
https://www.mcmaster.com/3536N2
It's just a basic threaded Schrader chuck, with optional Presta adapter. Works fine.
https://www.mcmaster.com/3536N2
It's just a basic threaded Schrader chuck, with optional Presta adapter. Works fine.
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For $3, this Park head isn't a bad deal. Park isn't the sexiest brand out there, but they work and usually have replaceable parts for their products.
https://www.jensonusa.com/Park-Tool-...mp-Rebuild-Kit
https://www.jensonusa.com/Park-Tool-...mp-Rebuild-Kit
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Another vote for Lezyne thread-on. The most secure and confident connection I've encountered. Sure it pulls out the occasional valve core but I always tighten my valve cores down before using.
There are high quality slip-on chucks but their design seems to wear out quicker (especially when used with threaded valve stems) and may be more prone to bending out a valve pin. They are quicker to use, but I like to take my time to ensure a good contact when airing up anyways - so no issue for me.
There are high quality slip-on chucks but their design seems to wear out quicker (especially when used with threaded valve stems) and may be more prone to bending out a valve pin. They are quicker to use, but I like to take my time to ensure a good contact when airing up anyways - so no issue for me.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
Solo Without Pie. The search for pie in the Midwest.
Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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For $3, this Park head isn't a bad deal. Park isn't the sexiest brand out there, but they work and usually have replaceable parts for their products.
https://www.jensonusa.com/Park-Tool-...mp-Rebuild-Kit
https://www.jensonusa.com/Park-Tool-...mp-Rebuild-Kit
The Topeak Joe Blow is a better pump with a head that works better.
I currently have a Lezyne CNC Floor Drive which, with the exception of the silly screw on chuck is a very good pump. Don’t make the mistake of getting the Steel Floor Drive. The one I had used a plastic check valve in the pump which melted. A Lezyne representative told me that it was designed for any more than light use and suggested the CNC Floor Drive which has much more robust parts. Wish I’d known that before hand.
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Stuart Black
Plan Epsilon Around Lake Michigan in the era of Covid
Old School…When It Wasn’t Ancient bikepacking
Gold Fever Three days of dirt in Colorado
Pokin' around the Poconos A cold ride around Lake Erie
Dinosaurs in Colorado A mountain bike guide to the Purgatory Canyon dinosaur trackway
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Picking the Scablands. Washington and Oregon, 2005. Pie and spiders on the Columbia River!
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I appreciate all the great discussion gents! It seems like some pump heads work for some folks and not for others.
I've decided to go el-cheapo or that Topeak upgrade kit and see how it works out. (See images)
I'm inclined to avoid anything Silca, given the bad experience I had with their high end pump years ago described here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...orth-crap.html
And after recently pulling the valve stem off the tube, I'm done with the push-on Silca head. And BTW, those inexpensive Silca grommets ain't no $3. Add in the shipping and they're $10 for a 3 cent part.
We'll see how it goes.
I've decided to go el-cheapo or that Topeak upgrade kit and see how it works out. (See images)
I'm inclined to avoid anything Silca, given the bad experience I had with their high end pump years ago described here:
https://www.bikeforums.net/bicycle-m...orth-crap.html
And after recently pulling the valve stem off the tube, I'm done with the push-on Silca head. And BTW, those inexpensive Silca grommets ain't no $3. Add in the shipping and they're $10 for a 3 cent part.
We'll see how it goes.