How long should it last?

1

I had something happen yesterday that has never happened to me before. One of the rails on my saddle broke. In looking at my logs, it probably has about 20,000 miles on it. Now it was not an expensive saddle so I surely go my monies worth. But I was curious about how long others keep such things.

Likewise I have two pairs of shoes that are looking kinda beat up. Now I sweat a lot so in the warmer months, both my socks and shoes are WET :sweat: after I ride. I use three pairs of shoes that I rotate through so I have a dry pair every day.

So what do you expect the useful life to be on such things?

2

I haven’t worn a saddle out, bent them in a crash but never worn out.

Shoes I’ve gotten a useful life of about 3 years out of. I’ve run them longer and that may have lead to my first point about crashing……

Gloves, I’ve gotten a good 2-3 years out of if they’re quality gloves. Cheap gloves maybe a season if I’m lucky.

Helmets, I’ve replaced one due to time, the others to crashes.

Sorry I’m not much help, apparently I’m accident prone….

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3

I may have you beat…

2013 - totalled a truck which pulled out
2016 - dog took me out. Helicopter ride to Shock Trauma
2017 - another cyclist decided to turn left… into me.
2022 - not sure what happened. I know a white truck was involved. Apparently another driver came upon me laying in the road. I woke up when the ambulance got there.
2023 - taken out by another rider in a bmx race.
2023 - tucked a front wheel in a bmx race.

Totals - 25 rib fractures. 2 clavicale fractures, one AC joint. 5 concussions.

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4

I have never experienced this myself but have seen others experience it.

What material were the rails? Anything but carbon should be strong and take a heck of a wack to break.

I have worn out the saddle covers.

Shoes - I have a similar issue as you. My ski boot dryer works a treat.

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5

I’ve broken two carbon saddle rails riding my mtb. No carbon rails on mtbs anymore. I haven’t otherwise broken any saddle rails. Here’s a cure for funky shoes: Pull insoles out, and swish them and the insoles in a bucket of warm water and Oxyclean or Borax. Let soak for 20-30 minutes, rinse well, towel off, and let dry. They’ll be smelling fresh again.

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6

I think we are on similar paths. After my last incident (8 broken ribs, 2 pelvic fractures, broken clavicle and broken bone in my hand, air flight to trauma center, 2 days in ICU & concussion) my orthopedic surgeon counted up 29 fractures he has treated me for over the years. That includes two surgeries, one being a full hip replacement.

At 30 do I get a prize? :unamused:

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7

I’ve never broken a saddle but I’ve worn out my original saddle on my old road bike. The whole thing is just…tired. put the exact same saddle but new on a different bike which made me realise how worn out the old one was, sort of like when you buy new running shoes.

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8

I have extended the life of my gloves by rotating through multiple pairs. It also makes washing them much more efficient as I can do several at once

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9

I have found the single best aid to the life of my gloves is I now wear tennis wristbands when I ride indoors. It keeps my gloves MUCH MUCH dryer. I too rotate multiple pairs.

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10

I did not at 30, 40, or even at 45. Sorry kind Sir.

European football, hockey, basketball, racing motocross, and a car accident helped up the broken bone and concussion count.

No broken bones or concussions in the 59 years of snow skiing so I can claim that to be an entirely safe sport… except for those that I helped transport down in a sled. :upside_down_face:

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11

Sounds like you may need better friends! :laughing:

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12

I broke a saddle after a crash and I had a saddle rail come unplugged. No broken rails so far

13

You wear gloves indoors?

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14

I do.
My hands perspire, and the padding helps if I put too much pressure on the handlebars.

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15

I do as well for the same reason.

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16

Yep. My hands will drop SUF holy water all over the floor and my handlebars if I don’t wear gloves. Have to find a way to soak it up so I don’t waste it all. And they are often much more comfortable than riding gloveless. But some days I do ride without gloves - typically only on shorter or recovery days.

I usually wear full finger MTB gloves while riding indoors. Breathable, but comfortable. fingerless bike gloves ride up and hurt the webs in between my fingers or in between my thumb and forefinger.

And I find the fresh padded gloves actually feel worse than worn in pairs. My favorites are a couple years old. I also have a couple extra pairs that I rotate through. Typically wear a pair for a week or two before swapping them out. Depending on how hard I ride and SUF holy water they’ve soaked up.

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17

As do I!!!

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18

You wear a jersey indoors as well as gloves don’t you?

19

For me, that depends on the weather. I do when it is hot because I can unzip it. Other than that, no.

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20

I don’t usually wear a jersey except for special events (like KoS attempts and ride-along) or when it’s particularly chilly. Usually only wear my sleeveless base layer for maximum cooling.

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