Need a new floor pump

135 views
Skip to first unread message

Joan Oppel

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 10:15:36 AM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
 I have messed up the head on my floor pump - and I need to buy a new one so I'm looking for recommendations from the list wisdom.  Online reviews have just confused me, though the Nashbar Orange pump gets high marks.  However, since I expect to keep and use a pump for many years, I don't feel compelled to shop by price.

 Additional info: the current pump is a Specialized-branded pump purchased years ago from a LBS.  i used it - as I've done before - to pump the tires on my car, and I think I pulled the head off incorrectly so that now it won't grab the presta valve on any of my bike tubes.   I'm sure Specialized did not make the pump but have no idea who the actual manufacturer is, so cannot contact any company for a replacement head.  It's been an excellent pump with an accurate gauge.

Riv content:  of course, I'll pump the tires on the Bleriot with the new one!
At the moment, I'm using my Topeak Morph with gauge to top off all tires.

Many thanks,
Joan

Dan Abelson

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 10:21:51 AM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com

I've had the Nashbar orange pump for about a year. I like it a lot. I definitely like it better than the topeak Joe Blow sport it replaced.

Dan Abelson
St. Paul, MN

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

Ron Mc

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 10:24:16 AM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Love my Silca Super Pista, which I bought online from a Denver shop online - with one exception - the aluminum head it came with broke.  So with the replacement brass head, which won't break, I love it even more.  

Allingham II, Thomas J

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 10:33:45 AM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com

Joan:

 

I have two floor pumps and think they’re both great.  In my shop, I use  a Silca Super Pista pump.  It’s far more than I need, but I love the look and feel of it, and it works beautifully.  Here:  http://www.universalcycles.com/shopping/product_details.php?id=54017 , but you can get them on the ‘Bay or on Amazon cheaper.  They also come in some colors, so you can coordinate your pump with your bike (not sure if they come in Bleriot Blue, though).    

 

In the garage, I keep an SKS Rennkompressor – heavy, solid, German-made, and seemingly indestructible (I’ve only had it for a couple of years, though, nothing for pumps).  I like it for the garage because I have a couple of beater and kid’s bikes with Schrader valves, which its universal head handles with aplomb (my word of the day!).  Here:  http://sheldonbrown.com/harris/tools/tire.html  Price is pretty good, too.

 

T

--

You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ****************************************************

To ensure compliance with Treasury Department regulations, we advise you that, unless otherwise expressly indicated, any federal tax advice contained in this message was not intended or written to be used, and cannot be used, for the purpose of (i) avoiding tax-related penalties under the Internal Revenue Code or applicable state or local tax law provisions or (ii) promoting, marketing or recommending to another party any tax-related matters addressed herein.
****************************************************
****************************************************

This email (and any attachments thereto) is intended only for use by the addressee(s) named herein and may contain legally privileged and/or confidential information. If you are not the intended recipient of this email, you are hereby notified that any dissemination, distribution or copying of this email (and any attachments thereto) is strictly prohibited. If you receive this email in error please immediately notify me at (212) 735-3000 and permanently delete the original email (and any copy of any email) and any printout thereof.

Further information about the firm, a list of the Partners and their professional qualifications will be provided upon request.
****************************************************
==============================================================================

Jeremy Till

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 10:38:49 AM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
They're a bit $$$ but we use a Lezyne floor pump at the shop where I work and it's great.  Awesome action, very precise gauge, and the head is clever--it threads onto the valve for a very secure fit rather than the usual lever lock system.  Only downside is that if you have presta valves with removable cores, you can accidentally unthread the core and pull it out when you are removing the pump head.  

And I'd contact the dealer about your specialized pump.  Even if it was manufactured by a third party, specialized should at least be able to tell you if replacement heads are available.  

John Blish

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 10:40:30 AM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Joan,

I know this is not responsive to what you asked and you probably know this but in most cases you can just get a new head for a decent pump.  You didn't give enough specifics concerning your Specialized-branded pump for me to provide a link to a new head for you but some of the companies that make pumps are strong advocates for replacing parts rather than replacing the pump.  Planet Bike, for instance charges no shipping on small replacement parts for their products.  Good luck.

-jb


--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
To unsubscribe from this group, send email to rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.



--
John Blish
Minneapolis MN USA




Bruce Herbitter

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 11:19:13 AM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I use a Bontrager Charger and like it. Pressure gauge is high up and easy to read. Head takes both presta and shrader valves, Comfy handles, stable base. Not expensive.

Joe Bernard

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 11:52:45 AM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I like the Topeak Joe Blow II. Slides onto any valve without having to switch the adaptor around; stays on securely; has an air-pressure bleeder valve; and the gauge is up high and easy to read for my tired old eyes.
 
Joe Bernard
Vallejo, CA.

Toshi Takeuchi

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 11:59:06 AM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Topeak makes a head that has dual presta/Shrader on two sides, and you simply cut the rubber tubing and add this head and wire it closed (if the hose adapters don't work straight up). It works great and you don't have to buy a new pump--however, the kit now costs almost as much as a whole pump ~$23.  It used to be just the pump head and cut and patch and was much cheaper.
 
google: Topeak TwinHead Floor Pump Hose Kit
 
Toshi

PATRICK MOORE

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 12:42:20 PM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Go for broke:

http://www.jitensha.com/eng/hiramepumphds.html

One day when my ship comes in ...

FWIW, I cut the presta/schrader head off my old (and very nice)
Blackburn pump: this head is a "fits all" that works by "squeezing
down" to fit either type of valve. It takes a bit of practice to get
where you can quickly slap it down on a presta valve and shove the
lever, before you let all the air out of the tire, but once you get
this knack, it works very well: in particular, the lever is long and
solid. The hose (stub) is one piece with the head, so you'd need
something to join it to another hose, but if anyone wants it, it is
his or hers.

I switched to a screw-on Silca schrader head that I use with a presta
adaptor; less easy but it works better with my daughter's bike's
schrader valves.
> --
> You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups
> "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
> To post to this group, send email to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com.
> To unsubscribe from this group, send email to
> rbw-owners-bun...@googlegroups.com.
> For more options, visit this group at
> http://groups.google.com/group/rbw-owners-bunch?hl=en.



--

-------------------------
Patrick Moore, Albuquerque, NM, USA
For professional resumes, contact Patrick Moore, ACRW
http://resumespecialties.com/index.html
-------------------------

Marty

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 3:05:15 PM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Pudge made the comment about a pump in Bleriot-blue, and I thought I would plant a seed in your minds when it comes time for a re-paint. Why not? I had a nice old Trek done a while back, and asked the painter (Circle-A) to match an old Silca track pump - decals/clearcoat and all. Easy enough at the time, and it didn't add that much to the cost, but man it was cool.  Worth a look when you're thinking of a re-paint. Here's the Trek:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32306142@N07/4805781466/in/set-72157624148583474

Eric Platt

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 8:49:05 PM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
Another vote for the Topeak Joe Blow.  Have had one in our garage for over 5 years.  Base getting a touch rusty but otherwise going strong. 
 
Have you checked with your LBS to see if they have replacement heads available for your pump? Worth asking.  And cheaper than a new pump if everything else is working.
 
Eric Platt
St. Paul, MN

On Fri, Nov 30, 2012 at 2:05 PM, Marty <mgi...@mac.com> wrote:
Pudge made the comment about a pump in Bleriot-blue, and I thought I would plant a seed in your minds when it comes time for a re-paint. Why not? I had a nice old Trek done a while back, and asked the painter (Circle-A) to match an old Silca track pump - decals/clearcoat and all. Easy enough at the time, and it didn't add that much to the cost, but man it was cool.  Worth a look when you're thinking of a re-paint. Here's the Trek:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/32306142@N07/4805781466/in/set-72157624148583474

--
You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "RBW Owners Bunch" group.
To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msg/rbw-owners-bunch/-/NsZdsY_vgMMJ.

tim becker

unread,
Nov 30, 2012, 10:15:17 PM11/30/12
to rbw-owne...@googlegroups.com
I'll second the Lezyne.  My pump died this fall and I sprang for the alloy floor drive HV.  I liked it so much I bought a portable one to take with me.  The screw-on head is really nice and solid.

-tim
Reply all
Reply to author
Forward
0 new messages