Over the years I have realized that just about any pump can be good and practical. The problem is that the heads are all crap. The Silca Track head is ok but eventually it starts to leak like all the rest and you can do plenty of damage trying to get the damn thing off. Yesterday I bit the bullet and ordered the Hirame pump head from Jitensha for $50 plus $6 shipping. It seems like a lot of money but just about everyone else wants more!!! I'm not like a lot of my friends who have trouble getting motivated to ride because they're tired or stiff or want to stay home and watch American Idol or Paul Newman in the Huster for the 20th time (depending on if they're part of the younger set or from my generation). What keeps me from riding more is that no matter what bike I pull off the wall it always needs air for the tires unless it's the same bike I rode the day before. If the Hirame pump head actually is easy and smooth and doesn't leak, it will be worth $50.00. Anything to keep me from pumping with two hands and then using my right foot to hold the Silca pump head on to keep it from leaking. If they can send a man to the moon, you'd think they can figure out a way to get a presta pump head from leaking air, blowing off or requiring the strength of Steve Reeves to pull it off. And what happens when the head finally comes loose? You end up knocking the bike off its resting position against the wall, or even worse chipping the paint on the fork.
Garth Libre in Miami Fl USA