The frame pump is a much-maligned piece of equipment, suffering in the last decade or so from the proliferation of minimalist pumps and Co2 canisters, and its incompatibility with a lot of modern road frames with their swoopy carbon tubes. It didn’t really matter that it remained the best, most-efficient way to inflate a tyre, it was more about size and looks. But with the updating and subsequent re-release of Silca‘s venerable Impero model, the frame pump is definitely making a comeback, especially with bespoke framebuilders and riders who are more concerned with function over form. Though, its form is certainly on point.

Owning a bike with a traditional straight-tubed frame was the catalyst for me to try out the Impero Ultimate, as the reincarnated model is known. And there’s no question that it looks the part snuggled against a round, flat top tube. It can also be mounted along the seat tube or inside the seat stay, but that requires a different size pump, so maybe try one out if you can before making that commitment. The Impero is available in four lengths so finding a suitable fit for bikes from small to XL isn’t a problem.

See that Velcro strap? See those scratches? If you have one, you won’t get the other. My first ride was without a strap, and the pump ejected from the frame a couple of times when hitting rough road or popping the wheels of a small gutter. Once the strap was added, it’s survived those same roads and been across some corrugated gravel roads without issue. If you don’t want to be gutted that your beautiful, expensive pump is all garked up, get a strap straight up. 

The silicon collar/bumper helps to keep the pump at the optimal length to fit your frame, and it’s recommended that you keep it pushed hard against the handle to get an even tighter fit.

Another way to get the most snug fit in the frame is to mount it with the head at the back of the frame, as it nestles into the seat tube/top tube junction nicely. Those scratches still break my heart. The rubber seal is showing a tiny bit of wear, mainly due to those bloody threaded valve stems.

Yeah, those bastards. During the test period, I didn’t suffer one puncture out on the road (just my luck!), so had to do some creative testing, i.e letting the tyre down and pumping it up again (genius). One of my tubes had a way too short valve (amateur mistake) and it was quite difficult to get a good grip on the valve stem as it would push up into the tyre. Running the correct length valve stems ensured an easy fit and even without any sort of locking device on the head, the seal was airtight and never hinted at slipping off.

The Impero is fully servicable, with a simple circlip holding the whole thing together and making seal replacement and maintenance a breeze. Parts are readily available direct through Silca or a dealer.

The real star of the show is the length of the stroke, making inflating to high pressures half the job of a mini pump. It’s roughly one and a bit strokes per one PSI, with around 120 (I got confused after 100) strokes getting close to 100 PSI in what seems like no time at all. The all-aluminium construction appears to be pretty robust, even when bouncing along the road, and keeps the weight fairly minimal (278g for the Large).

It’s not cheap, but it is an investment that should keep on performing for years, just like some of the originals that are still in circulation today. Beware though, your riding buddies will be asking to borrow your Impero every time they get a flat, and the more unscrupulous ones might expect you to use it for them too.