Cycling UK Forum

Posted: **23 Jul 2023, 11:00am**

I'll admit it, I like nice things. Well designed, well made, by people who care.

The Silca Impero Ultimate 2 frame pump gets stellar reviews, always with the caveat that it's non cheap.

https://silca.cc/products/impero-ultima ... 1913964996

It was interesting to learn that version 2 is adjustable for length, for an even better fit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M3zk9QraUA

Has anybody here used one, and especially also used a less expensive frame pump, for instance the Topeak https://www.topeak.com/global/en/produc ... TERBLASTER which comes in at a fraction of the price.

Thanks.

Posted: **23 Jul 2023, 11:06am**

My experience of Silca is very good, but it’s of a track pump from the 90s so not particularly relevant. My experience of that Topeak frame fit pump is also good - I bought one for my father as he was being plagued by punctures. He hardly had any once he started carrying that

. Seriously though, it is a nice pump.

Posted: **23 Jul 2023, 11:52am**

Not what your asking but an easy fix for pump length :-

A small piece of hosepipe around the rod gives extra pressure on the spring in the handle.
Cut length to suit.
Sorry for the off-topic slide.

Posted: **24 Jul 2023, 5:01pm**

maximus meridius wrote: ↑23 Jul 2023, 11:00am I'll admit it, I like nice things. Well designed, well made, by people who care.

The Silca Impero Ultimate 2 frame pump gets stellar reviews, always with the caveat that it's non cheap.

https://silca.cc/products/impero-ultima ... 1913964996

It was interesting to learn that version 2 is adjustable for length, for an even better fit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2M3zk9QraUA

Has anybody here used one, and especially also used a less expensive frame pump, for instance the Topeak https://www.topeak.com/global/en/produc ... TERBLASTER which comes in at a fraction of the price.

Thanks.

Never used one and, I must admit, never heard of it before. Will search for reviews as Uber expensive.

Posted: **24 Jul 2023, 7:40pm**

markjohnobrien wrote: ↑24 Jul 2023, 5:01pm Never used one and, I must admit, never heard of it before. Will search for reviews as Uber expensive.

The HMRC has been know to audit people who buy Silca frame pumps,
they're probably living of ill gotten gains.

Posted: **24 Jul 2023, 10:12pm**

cycleruk wrote: ↑23 Jul 2023, 11:52am Not what your asking but an easy fix for pump length :-
pump.jpg
A small piece of hosepipe around the rod gives extra pressure on the spring in the handle.
Cut length to suit.
Sorry for the off-topic slide.

+1 Pipe lagging works too.

Posted: **25 Jul 2023, 2:21pm**

Slightly at a tangent but a couple of years ago I treated myself to the Silca SuperPista Digital Floor Pump. I wouldn’t buy another; it works well but has some drawbacks that, IMO, simply shouldn’t be present in a very, very expensive pump.

Minuses:

No pressure release button if you accidentally over pump.

The digital gauge itself; it’s not easy to read until the pressure stabilises. To be fair to Silca, I knew this before I bought it

In the electrical field for example, there’s a reason why some folks still prefer Avo meters over fancy DMMs…

The ‘hiro’ sp? pump head; the machining of this and the fit/finish isn’t great but tbh it does work well.

The thing’s got a strong magnet in its base which collects all sorts of magnetic swarf like rubbish from its environs on my garage floor. The purpose of this magnet baffles me. I can see no use for it whatsoever.

The battery SOC level indicator appears not to be temperature compensated.

The battery compartment cover’s O ring seal is very thin. It broke the first time I carefully removed the cover to change the batteries. To be fair to Silca, when I complained by email they sent me a couple of new ones foc all the way from IIRC Indiana.

Pluses:

Definitely heavy duty pump parts, heirloom quality

Not sure about the electronics though of course…

Fully mechanically rebuildable, the leather pump washer and head insert rubbers are available from Silca.

That’s my impression of my Silca floor pump, I realise that it’s not the one you’re considering but I hope these remarks may be of use to you.
I’ve also tried the Silca Super Secret wax chain lube and been very impressed with it and I’m also hearing (mainly) good things about their tyre sealant so I may try that soon too.

Posted: **25 Jul 2023, 4:41pm**

unless inflation keeps inflating I'll never spend that much on a pump

Posted: **25 Jul 2023, 4:52pm**

Were I looking for shiny loveliness I'd be looking at these:

https://www.wiggle.com/p/lezyne-micro-f ... lsrc=aw.ds

Posted: **25 Jul 2023, 6:44pm**

torrens wrote: ↑25 Jul 2023, 2:21pm Slightly at a tangent but a couple of years ago I treated myself to the Silca SuperPista Digital Floor Pump. I wouldn’t buy another; it works well but has some drawbacks that, IMO, simply shouldn’t be present in a very, very expensive pump.

Minuses:

No pressure release button if you accidentally over pump.

The digital gauge itself; it’s not easy to read until the pressure stabilises. To be fair to Silca, I knew this before I bought it In the electrical field for example, there’s a reason why some folks still prefer Avo meters over fancy DMMs…

The ‘hiro’ sp? pump head; the machining of this and the fit/finish isn’t great but tbh it does work well.

The thing’s got a strong magnet in its base which collects all sorts of magnetic swarf like rubbish from its environs on my garage floor. The purpose of this magnet baffles me. I can see no use for it whatsoever.

The battery SOC level indicator appears not to be temperature compensated.

The battery compartment cover’s O ring seal is very thin. It broke the first time I carefully removed the cover to change the batteries. To be fair to Silca, when I complained by email they sent me a couple of new ones foc all the way from IIRC Indiana.

Pluses:

Definitely heavy duty pump parts, heirloom quality Not sure about the electronics though of course…

Fully mechanically rebuildable, the leather pump washer and head insert rubbers are available from Silca.

That’s my impression of my Silca floor pump, I realise that it’s not the one you’re considering but I hope these remarks may be of use to you.
I’ve also tried the Silca Super Secret wax chain lube and been very impressed with it and I’m also hearing (mainly) good things about their tyre sealant so I may try that soon too.

That's useful info, thanks. As the frame pump doesn't have any electronic bits, hopefully the mechanical quality is the same as your floor pump.

Posted: **25 Jul 2023, 10:28pm**

Bonefishblues wrote: ↑25 Jul 2023, 4:52pm Were I looking for shiny loveliness I'd be looking at these:

https://www.wiggle.com/p/lezyne-micro-f ... lsrc=aw.ds

Is that a frame pump?

Posted: **25 Jul 2023, 10:44pm**

Fits to the frame, yes

Posted: **25 Jul 2023, 11:37pm**

Bonefishblues wrote: ↑25 Jul 2023, 10:44pm Fits to the frame, yes

I see. I think I must have misunderstood the term "frame pump". I'm dreadfully sorry, I thought the term "frame pump" meant something that fits in between the head tube and the seat tube (or maybe top tube and down tube), wedged in place. As opposed to a mini-pump which is just attached to the frame. Like this:

https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/topics/b ... 0triangle.

Please accept my apologies for getting hold of the wrong end of the stick so badly.

I've seen that Lezyne before. But there are two things that put me off:

1. Having the external hose. I'm sure it's secure and all that, but it looks a bit messy to have on the bike.

2. More than one reviewer has commented that the handle is too small, and actually painful to use. I can't risk damage to my hands.

Thanks for the suggestion.

Posted: **26 Jul 2023, 8:30am**

I see. I think I must have misunderstood the term "frame pump". I'm dreadfully sorry

I also use the term Frame Pump to mean the type of pump you describe. I do not have the silica pump but I do have the Lezyne pump mentioned upthread as well as the Topeak and the Zefal frame pumps.

The Lezyne requires the most effort to inflate a tyre and the screw on chuck has a tendency to unscrew removable cores from the valve. I also find the handle uncomfortable to use.

I am a fan of frame pumps. Of the Zefal and the Topeak I marginally prefer the Topeak. It has a rubber bung that covers the chuck and the head is rounded and made of a soft material. The Zefal pump has rather hard lugs that press against the frame and I think might damage the paintwork over time. Both the Zefal and the Topeak make inflating a tyre while out on the road almost as easy as using my full size track pump at home.
Steve

Posted: **26 Jul 2023, 10:49am**

Steve O'C wrote: ↑26 Jul 2023, 8:30am
I see. I think I must have misunderstood the term "frame pump". I'm dreadfully sorry
I also use the term Frame Pump to mean the type of pump you describe. I do not have the silica pump but I do have the Lezyne pump mentioned upthread as well as the Topeak and the Zefal frame pumps.

The Lezyne requires the most effort to inflate a tyre and the screw on chuck has a tendency to unscrew removable cores from the valve. I also find the handle uncomfortable to use.

Pump.jpg

I am a fan of frame pumps. Of the Zefal and the Topeak I marginally prefer the Topeak. It has a rubber bung that covers the chuck and the head is rounded and made of a soft material. The Zefal pump has rather hard lugs that press against the frame and I think might damage the paintwork over time. Both the Zefal and the Topeak make inflating a tyre while out on the road almost as easy as using my full size track pump at home.
Steve

Great, that's useful info, thanks.

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Re: Silca Impero Ultimate worth it?

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