Damaged cycling clothing, do you throw or repair?

[martinn]

Hi All,

when (if for some people), you have an accident and you rip/ tear an expensive piece of cycle clothing do you repair it, and if so how?

I have a couple of jerseys which are ripped, and a couple of Lycra bib shorts which have tears in them.
Looking online, there is not much help, I cant find anyone who does repairs, a few people seem to do alterations, but most specify no accident repairs.
There is a video of a chap repairing his Lycra bib shorts with a neoprene iron on patch, and I am aware that you can theoretically sew Lycra using a ball point needle. But what works?
I have looked to see if i can find someone local to me who might do swimwear/ gym wear or dance wear alterations/ repairs, as this is Lycra but no luck, so what do people do, does it end up in the bin?
(I'm in Bristol if anyone has any local recommendations)

Many thanks

Martin

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
Sewed up gloves, patched cycle top (bit of a mess if you look to closely) duct tape on inside of water proof jacket and been through washing machine several times the tape is still stuck

[LinusR]

I've stitched up small tears in bib shorts, and jerseys. I use the same needle and thread I use for darning socks. Either black or white cotton or wool thread.

[LinusR]

duct tape on inside of water proof jacket and been through washing machine several times the tape is still stuck

That's the best tip I've ever read on this forum!

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,
All cycling stuff including water proof stuff I wash on 30 delicates of course, and hand wash fluid.
My jacket is a cheap waterproof 100 gram affair, glossy interior so it sticks well.

[rjb]

I've used duct tape inside clothing as a repair but it does come adrift after a couple of wash's. I now sew it in - a belt and braces repair.

[Grandad]

I wash on 30 delicates of course, and hand wash fluid.

Going well off topic the instructions for our new washing machine say do not use hand wash liquids as they produce too much lather

[NATURAL ANKLING]

Hi,

I wash on 30 delicates of course, and hand wash fluid.

Going well off topic the instructions for our new washing machine say do not use hand wash liquids as they produce too much lather

Not on a hand wash cycle, hardly any agitation at all.

I have had too much suds a few times on 30 delicates , normally it is too much fluid as I have not allowed for manually applying fluid to smelly areas prior to placing clothes in machine.

[Redvee]

I've stitched up gloves when the stitching has come undone, one repair was so good I had to look very carefully several times to find the repair.

[Canuk]

A tip for broken or ratty zips on winter or training tights. You only really need a small opening to get your foot through. I take a needle and thread and stitch below the damaged part with maybe a dozen or so cross stitches. Hey presto you have a new zip (albeit a slightly shorter one) this has saved me replacing two very expensive pairs of bib tights which I would normally have binned!

[Postboxer]

I binned some bib tights last week, only cheap Aldi or Lidl ones, I didn't like them much anyway, they broke in the wash, one of the 'braces', the strap over my shoulder, had been ripped off at the top of the bib, I assume there had been a big tangle of laundry in the machine that wound tighter and tighter until it snapped. Has this ever happened to anyone? Any suggestions on how to prevent it? I use mesh bags for small delicate items but not sure they make them big enough for bib tights to fit in. I'm glad they weren't more expensive. Also don't fancy having to wash them separately in future. Had I liked them or had spent more on them I probably would have tried to repair them, one strap going mid ride wouldn't matter too much would it?

[eileithyia]

It all depends on the damage. We have a local seamstress that makes wedding dresses etc., quite a bit of stuff has been taken to her for repair, including zips and alterations as she has fancy machines that cope with sewing lycra.

My son, a couple of years ago, came off on diesel wearing his brand new kit. He had insisted on wearing brand new shorts under winter longs despite the fact I had advised him against (mum knows best ) Friction caused the shorts to be damaged but not the tights (another reason for wearing old shorts as padding under winter tights). I did get them repaired initially but continued use has caused stitching to come adrift again. He has finally seen sense and does not wear them as summer shorts but only 'winter under bib tight shorts'.

I would suggest looking at Nopinz
https://www.nopinz.com/product-category ... terations/

Who do a variety of repairs.

It would depend on the damage and the cost of the item. Rapha also do repairs to their own kit... (that's if they survive financial woes).

[Paulatic]

I wash on 30 delicates of course, and hand wash fluid.

Going well off topic the instructions for our new washing machine say do not use hand wash liquids as they produce too much lather

The 'Delicates hand wash' I use ( Morrison’s own brand) says suitable for machines. There appears to be no more lather than any other product. Never seen a problem.

[100%JR]

Bin it.
I just don't see they point of trying to repair Lycra.It always looks bad.
Not just cycling clothing either,any clothing/shoes etc.If it rips/tears or gets a hole in it the item gets replaced.
The only exception is baselayers.When they get holes in I use them for work.

I've stitched up small tears in bib shorts, and jerseys. I use the same needle and thread I use for darning socks. Either black or white cotton or wool thread.

I'm quite shocked that people still do this.My gran used to many moons ago.Socks?really?They cost next to nowt!?

[horizon]

Bin it.

And then it goes .....

Further elaboration appreciated here.