Repairing holes & rips in clothing
DIY repair patches are available for clothing and bags. There are lots of options available for different material and they are easy to use, no stitching is required. Ideal for carrying on trip or holidays, giving you the ability to make a repair on the go.
Recommended Patches
Gear Aid's Tenacious Tape for rain jackets and rain pants, insulated jacket shells, tent flies, sleeping bags. It is very lightweight and suits the material type.
Tip-Top Complast is recommended by Ortlieb for repairing a PVC, PU heavier fabrics usually used for pannier bags, welded seams on bike-packing bags. The kit contains thick circular patches.
Tips for using repair patches
- Clean and remove loose dirt for applying a patch
- Use isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol to clean heavy weight fabric used on bags
- Use 120 grit or finer sandpaper to gently sand PU or rubberised material to provide a key for the patches
- If possible, put the item of clothing on, this will stop thin/fine material wrinkly under the patch
- Cut your patch with rounded corners, corners can snap and lift away from the clothing
- Apply to the patch 10-15% bigger than the rip or hole
- If the rip is in a high tension area, put a small circular piece of tape at either end of the rip. Then place your final patch over the top of the rip
Repairing Velcro straps
Regluing the strap
If your velcro has detached from the backing sheet. It can be glued back.
First lightly sand the back of the velcro strip to provide a key.
Clear away any dust and dirt.
Apply use Aquasure Aqua seal, a waterproof glue. Join the velcro the the backing piece and use pegs or bulldog clips to hold the two pieces of material in place.
Cleaning the strap
If your Velcro strap has lost its sticky strength, clean out the debris that can build up in the loops.
Use tweezers or a pin to pluck out as thread or string. Comb the soft side of the Velcro with a fine tooth comb. Finally use an old dry toothbrush. Brush the Velcro in one direction parallel to the rows of hooks to get out any remaining pieces lint.
Repairing shoes
Cycling shoes are exposed to the harshest conditions. From splashes with dirty gritty water to striking vegetation and rocks on gravel rides.
Heel lugs
Heel lugs provide grip when you walk. The rubber grip can wear out or fall off if the bolt becomes damaged. For most shoes the heel lugs is replaceable.
Boa fixings
There are three different types of Boa fixing; S1, S2, S3. If you are unsure which Boa dial your shoes have Boa have a questionnaire on their site to help you find the right replacement dial. Take me to the questionnaire.
Watch the repair video for an S2 Snap Boa
View the guide for replacing S3 Boa
S1 Boa and Cable Repair
- To repair a S1 boa and relace a shoe you may need to rethread your dial.
- Use a T6 tool supplied to take off the Boa
- Replace one Boa at a time, so you can use your other shoe's lacing pattern as a reference
- You will need to trim the new cable, so don't throw away the old damaged cable.
- The ratchet inside the dial is right and left specific, helpfully Boa have colour coded the ratchet L and R
- Thread your new cable into the spool from right to left, on your left hand dial. Thread the cable through the furthest hole, pass it back through the second hole, leaving a small amount of loop behind. Thread the cable through the remaining hole with the cable end pointing towards the middle. Pull through so it knots into place and pull down on the longer length.
- You'll need to do the same with the other end of wire so that it locks into place around the spool.
- Once the wire is tucked into place, you can then place the spool with the ratchet side up back onto your shoe. Put the top Boa piece back on and tighten up.
Repair Delaminating Soles
This is a quick fix to get you through your trip or holiday and ultimately you should aim to replace your shoes.
1. Use a stiff bristle brush to clear out any mud or dirt that has got between your shoe upper and sole.
2. Apply isopropyl alcohol or rubbing alcohol to remove any grease that will affect the adhesion.
3. Apply Aquasure SR adhesive to the sole and then use duct tape or a clamp to hold the two pieces together.
Tips: don't put wet shoes on the radiator after a cold or wet ride. Heat from the radiator can affect the shape of your carbon or plastic sole and deform it.
The heat from a camp fire, open fire or radiator can cause the glue in your shoe to dry out or melt and delaminate the shoe upper and sole.
Tips for cleaning clothing
Set to delicate
Polartec Alpha fabrics move moisture very efficiently. These items will dry super quickly. Don't put them in the tumble dryer; they will dry naturally in an hour. They also don't need a long spin cycle.
Avoid Velcro
Don't put your items in the washing machine with garments with Velcro. If you must wash them together, put your jacket in a mesh bag to protect it from ripping or tearing the fabric.
Use Non-Bio Liquid Detergent
Never wash clothing with fabric softener. Biological detergent contains fabric softener. The chemicals destroy the insulating properties of the fibres, and block the pores of your clothing, reducing breathability. According to Endura, fabric conditioner will damage the “adhesion of seam tapes on waterproof fabrics and can also damage durable water repellent (DWR) coatings”.
Use Assos active cleanser
Assos developed their cleaner to maintain the stretch of elastic fibers. It is pH neutral, neutralises odors, enhances textile breathability of older items and maintains sharp colour sublimation. It enables you to wash clothes on a cooler setting but still clean the item thoroughly. It is ideal for lycra items, and shorts with a chamois.
Manufacturer Resources and Repair Services
Apidura
Apidura have a library with videos and guides for common on the road repairs
Discover the Apidura Repair Library here
If you cannot repair your pack or new replacement items Apidura have a paid repair service.
1. Contact Condor with an image of the item
2. Contact Apidura for spare parts; support@apidura.com.
Ortlieb
Ortlieb produces a number of spare parts, clips and straps that can be replaced and fitted to their bags.
Shop replacement Ortlieb spares
Ortlieb have a repair service. The service is not free, repairs start from £5 plus shipping.
Start you repair here
Albion
Clothing brand Albion have DIY Repair Kits, which is ironed on to the damaged item.
Albion have a free a free repair service.
To request a repair email Albion with proof of purchase and an image of your item; repairs@albioncycling.com