My first year in college, I remember my good buddy from high school {Toby} showed up for the Race of the Redwoods (Humboldt County, CA circa 1975) and unloaded his steed and the rest of the support jibber jabber from his car; I was curious about the floor pump.

“What’s that?”
“Floor Pump” he says.
“You gotta have one to pump the tires before the ride; can’t use a stinking hand pump, you’ll tire yourself out before you start.”

When I bought my first Silca (Downy Cyclery) it made me feel like I had arrived.   It was positive, smooth and precise. Pumping tires is part of the basic ritual and you gotta have a unit that reverberates the zen essence.

Compared to models you can buy now, the volume per stroke (VPS) is considerably less with a Silca Track Pump, but fuck-it; stick to the Silca, what’s a few extra strokes to be in the zen with heritage.

The old pumps use to boast Columbus Tubing.

Muy globo de aire caliente AnImAux!

Diamonte Pro: seam imperfection

Hard to be bad-ass when you’re worried about your tires.

Vittoria tires are apparently manufactured in Thailand now; all o’dem.  Story has it, VeloFlex bought all the equipment from Vittoria after they went looking for a good time in Asia and setup shop across the street.  VeloFlex boasts they make all their tires in Italy. Their website tag line: Handmade in Italy.  I dunno, the name VeloFlex lacks a certain Italian panache, niente bella figura.

Vittoria Open Corsa Evo CX (320 TPI) has always been a great tire.  The first time (uh-huh) I rode those tires it was a great sensation; a smooth, stable glide like you’re riding on a rail, however, the rubber is soft so it cuts and slices easily.  At $75.00 (MSRP) it gives you pause to consider other options.

Priced comparably, the Vittoria Diamonte Pro (~$62.00 MSRP – 220 TPI) also rolls exceptionally well but is more durable than the CX, however, a few recent tires showed an odd imperfection; after the tire had only a few hundred miles worn into it, but with ample life left in the tread, the rubber cracked open at the seam on the crown and exposed the threads underneath.  Found this on about 4 tires recently; one right after the other.

After the trouble with the Diamante Pro, I thought I’d try the Diamante Pro Radiale (220 TPI); a tire with minimum tread pattern, almost like a slick.  On slightly wet roads the tire felt as if it wanted to wash out when you barely nudged along the white line of the bike lane.  Eerie.  Even in dry conditions it felt unstable on painted lines. Never had that sensation with other tires.

Fî.doLLã.Animaux!