Can anyone recommend a good floor pump that goes up to around 180 psi reliably without blowing off the stem or exploding?
Thanks
JL
Silca makes awesome pumps. The Pista is the longtime standard, and the Super-Pista is basically the same pump with a wider diameter tube (more air/stroke). Either will last you pretty much forever, with the exception of the chuck seals - which on any pump degrade with use and time.
I picked up a Zefal Husky around 10 years ago (chose it over the Silca only because I got a smokin’ deal on it) and it’s still going strong. While I’ve never tried to air up a tube to 180, I have run >160 in the past and never had any problems with blow-off. Again, save the chuck seal, this thing has been indestructable.
The only thing I know about Blackburn pumps is that I almost gave myself a hernia trying to air a tyre to 120 with their minipump (the little silver jobbie). The full sided floor pumps look pretty sturdy though…
Your best bet is to walk into a bike shop and take a look at their pumps. You want a solidly built (metal) pump with a good gauge and ideally, a marker needle that you can set (so it’s easy to see when you hit xPSI). If the LBS option isn’s available to you however, I’d go with the Super-Pista via mail order.
I’ll second Khai’s opinion about the Zefal Husky. Mine is about 10 years old as well and pumps my race tubulars to 170psi with ease. The only thing I’ve replaced is the rubber ring. Best $35 I’ve ever spent.
I’m very happy with my Joe Blow Pro, though I’ve never taken it as high as 180. It comfortably handles 140-150 with no issues, though.
I have a Joe Blow as well that I’ve been very happy with until recently. Now when I go over 160 psi (it’s only rated to 160, imagine that!!) I have “issues” immediately after using it. It’s like a seal gets temporarily hosed and it’s really hard to use the pump for a while, then after a while it goes away. I’d highly recommend this pump, I really like the valve, but only for clinchers or tires where you’re going to stay at 140 or less.
I love my 10 year old Zefal…I have replaced the leather plunger once. And for the rubber gasket that is under the pumping tube but before the guage…I just cut a piece of inner-tube and make my own gaskets!!! The inner-tube gasket is good for up to about 220psi, then it will blow out (i know that because I have an air powered toy rocket that is “supposed” to go to 150psi and launch to 700’…but I have modified it to launch at 200+ psi and go - well I am not sure how high it goes, but it is high)
I use the great big Blackburn pump. I forget its name, but it is the one where you can push the button to switch to a lower volume, easier to inflate setting. This is the only pump I have ever owned that I thought worked well, including most the Silca. I never tried the Joe Blow.
The pump weighs about 500 pounds or so. It is no fun to ship or haul on the airplane. It is great for the garage or any race you drive to. I pump up tires to 160 effortlessly and reliably. I am sure I could go much higher.