{"id":48357,"date":"2023-04-19T15:00:28","date_gmt":"2023-04-19T13:00:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bikeradar.com\/?p=724295"},"modified":"2023-04-19T15:36:06","modified_gmt":"2023-04-19T13:36:06","slug":"how-to-make-your-cycling-kit-last-longer","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/cyclingplus\/rss_feed\/how-to-make-your-cycling-kit-last-longer\/","title":{"rendered":"How to make your cycling kit last longer"},"content":{"rendered":"

Save money and cut down on waste by showing your gear love and attention <\/p>

By Jack Evans\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Wednesday, 19 April 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

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Extending the life of your cycling kit makes financial and environmental sense. You\u2019ll save money and have to throw less away \u2013 although you should try to donate or recycle old kit where possible.<\/p>\n

By making your kit last longer, you\u2019ll also get more enjoyment out of your favourite items. Since brands discontinue products all the time, there\u2019s no guarantee of finding a like-for-like replacement at all or at a similar price.<\/p>\n

But what\u2019s the best way to preserve the condition of your cycling kit if you ride lots and, sometimes or often, in poor conditions?<\/p>\n

To make your cycling kit last longer (and to avoid breaking the bank<\/a>), we suggest a two-pronged approach. First, buy clothing that\u2019s built to last. Second, look after it properly.<\/p>\n

In the guide below, we\u2019ll explain how to do both, drawing from our own experience of the British climate and advice from Endura, Rapha, Gore and Nikwax.<\/p>\n

How to make your cycling kit last longer<\/h2>\n

Buy gear that\u2019s made to last<\/h3>\n
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Many Rapha products are sold with a repair kit to patch up crash damage.<\/span><\/figcaption> Rapha<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Purchase from brands that offer to repair not just replace kit damaged in crashes.<\/p>\n

Some, such as Albion and Rapha, offer a free repair service, supply DIY repair kits on request and include them with new products.<\/p>\n

Crashing is part and parcel of mountain biking. Protection aside, look out for hardwearing materials in spots that will contact the ground first when you hit the deck, such as the hip and elbow areas.<\/p>\n

Off-road footwear needs to defend your feet from impacts and not tear. The best mountain bike shoes<\/a> incorporate heel, ankle and toe protection and sturdy uppers, features seen increasingly on the best gravel shoes<\/a> too.<\/p>\n

Also seek out shoes with replaceable components. Lugs on the outsole wear out and Boa dials can break. Both can be replaced on well-designed shoes.<\/p>\n

High-quality zips, particularly on mountain bike shorts<\/a> that you\u2019ll open and close frequently, also contribute to the longevity of your cycling kit. Oversized, water-resistant (look out for a smooth seal covering the teeth) and two-way zips will prove more durable and practical.<\/p>\n

Repair or replace<\/h3>\n
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Boa dial parts are covered by a lifetime guarantee and quite easy to replace yourself.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Obstacles pose less of a risk to your feet and shoes on the road. But wear and tear could spell the end for your best road cycling shoes<\/a> if the parts aren\u2019t replaceable.<\/p>\n

Replacement laces are cheap and easy to source. A broken lace eyelet can be tricky to fix though, if the brand you bought the shoes from won\u2019t do it for you.<\/p>\n

Dial-tightening systems from certain brands can be repaired too. Boa says it offers a lifetime warranty on its dials and laces. The brand will send you a free repair kit if either part breaks and sells a backup spares set.<\/p>\n

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Avoiding walking in your SPL-SL cleats will stop them wearing this much.<\/span><\/figcaption> Jack Luke \/ Immediate Media<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

If you use clipless pedals<\/a>, walking as little as possible in your cycling shoes, and using cleat covers if you must, will reduce cleat wear.<\/p>\n

Mountain-bike style cleats will last longer than road cycling cleats if you do have to walk in them, for example when riding to work<\/a> or touring<\/a>. Our guide to Shimano SPD vs SPD-SL<\/a> pedals explains more of the differences.<\/p>\n

Certain brands\u2019 shoes, such as Sidi, Specialized and Giro, have replaceable heels too.<\/p>\n