I tend to get giddy about projects, especially those which were born in the USA, or at least in this case resurrected. Silca’s a company with its roots deeply embedded in cycling history. For over 100 years, this company has been a part of inflation technology (yes, I just said that). After the name was purchased and relocated to the USA, things have been changing rapidly. For the better.

That $400 floor pump caused a bit of a ruckus, as did the $40 air chucks yet for some reason the thought of a $165 frame pump doesn’t seem like a huge leap. Especially when you consider the detailing and that a made overseas Topeak or the like is still $50. The Impero Ultimate has been reborn. It’s a beast of metal, with no plastic parts and it’s machined in the USA. Best of all, it comes in BLACK!

Without me slobbering too much here with copy, why don’t you just check out the specs and more photos below, or order one at Silca. I just did.

In the 1920’s SILCA revolutionized roadside inflation with the creation of the Impero Frame Fit Pump. These early pumps used the revolutionary material ‘Duraliminium’ (2000 series aluminum) to replace steel. Within a few years SILCA pumps could be found on the bicycles of more than 80% of the professional peloton which was then still fully self supported. Over the next 70 years the Impero would be the most widely used frame pump in the world, introducing further technology advancements, first changing the barrel to Celluloid and later moving the handle and head to Plastic in the 1960’s.

For 2015 we are thrilled to introduce Impero Ultimate, the merging of high tech modern materials and manufacturing with the full aluminum construction and durability that was a hallmark of the original Impero.

Impero Ultimate features a high tech head gasket with unique 2-stage seal to provide ultimate sealing and holding even when compared to lever chuck designs. Solid aluminum head with brass check valve ensures a lifetime of flawless use, and fully aluminum barrel, handle and piston rod result in a pump that is both competitive in weight with plastic designs while being significantly stronger, smoother and more durable.

Unique FlexWing Silicone bumpers on the head and handle tip are designed to handle tubing diameters from 1″ (25mm) to 2.5″ (64mm) using a unique flexible outer wing which adjusts under pressure. An additional Silicone bumper on the main barrel protects paint, eliminates vibrations and noise, and also acts as a compression lock against the pump handle to keep it from moving unless you want it to.

Impero Ultimate is Manufactured in the USA using Alcoa Aluminum extrusions and bar stock. Impero uses a 19mm diameter leather piston custom manufactured by the same supplier in Milan who has supplied SILCA leather since 1947, and the brass check valve is a modified version of the check valve used in the SuperPista Ultimate.

Impero Ultimate represents the Ultimate in design, functionality, security and longevity.

Features:

FlexWing Technology Fits Tube size between 1″ (25mm) and 2.5″ (60mm)
Silicone Bumpers for secure fit and Ultimate Paint protection
Most efficient Inflation of any Portable Pump (112 strokes = 100psi size Small)
2 Stage Sealing Advanced Elastomer Head – No fussy lever to mess with.
100% Full metal construction – No plastic parts to break, bend, slip or rattle
Weights: SM: 256gm M: 267gm L: 278gm XL: 289gm