From the old equipment thread, I have a question about the Silca pumps. As I understand it, you simply press the fitting over the presta valve, and start inflating. When done, pull it off. If this is incorrect, please let me know.
The valve stems on my bike are smooth metallic, my wife’s bike’s are threaded. Do the threads cause damage to the rubber parts of the pump fitting? I’m trying not to damage the thing, but it is not getting a good seal on either bike currently. I press down on the pump arm, air goes in, then the gauge drops quickly, inidcating a possible leak somewhere. I’m trying to figure out if I am doing something wrong.
The threaded part of your valve stem won’t hurt the pump, although over time it will wear away at the rubber washer inside the pump head. Luckily, Silca sells damn near every part of their pumps individually, so you can replace whatever wears out (it’s normal for the rubber to wear out).
I tried getting replacement parts for my Zefal Husky, and finally ended up just getting a new head.
I used a Silca track pump for years. After a while the rubber bushings just wear out. I had problems with the darn thing popping off as you got up to higher pressure. I figured I just didn’t know what I was doing since it was this cool Italian pump. Finally got sick of all the problems (including need to practically jump up in the air to get to 140 psi) and pitched it. Bought a cheapo pump from the LBS with a clamp and voila…no problems since. Should have dumped the silly Silca years ago. Now I use it to pump up my kids balls.
Dude, that’s the best thing about a Silca. . .you can completely rebuild the entire pump if you have to. Those rubber bushings are something like 12 cents per at your LBS. Buy a handful and keep them in your bike tools kit. You do have a bike tools kit don’t you? Can’t be a real cyclist without a kit and a Silca pump. ;-> No worries.