Rapha, nice but a bit pricey?

My Assos look exactly the same after a good two years.

I have some craft ones which have gone the same way

I've had it on other brands, just standard wear really. If it's acceptable is up for choice.

So that's where I've been going wrong for the past couple years.

Super impressed with my long sleeve jersey. Been out with it several times and at no point was I cold, yet the only part of the jersey/baselayer that had sweat was where my rain jacket was packed in the pocket. Super breathable.

CSB

double post.

I have some Rapha Grand Tour gloves.
They were white and a bit battered so I dyed them and now they're black, a bit battered and really stiff and dry.
Any tips on how to soften them up again? They're too uncomfortable to just wear them until they re-take their shape and suppleness.

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Dubbin? Or beeswax etc

Thank you.

Quite a good dye job.

This stuff is amazing, has kept 2 pairs of leather gloves in fantastic condition:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Leather-Food-Hide-Care-Cream-Large-/200735491828?pt=UK_Men_s_Bags&hash=item2ebcc486f4

Rapha recommend a leather food, think it's branded Chelsea Leather Food? Anyway, I've got some and it does a tremendous job of softening my GT gloves.

Good idea on dyeing the white ones, might try that on my pair I near destroyed on the 2009 etape.

I use Hestra Leather Balm on my GT gloves. Seems to work well.

Spray a bit of this on them?

Gliptone Liquid Leather is really good too

I've definitely never use fabric softener, but Rapha has sent me a response and some advice on washing. I live in Vancouver Canada, and didn't realize there are different detergent offerings (bio and non-bio).

Although no repair/replacement of both the knee and leg warmers, Rapha was very very generous and extended me a goodwill voucher which covered most of the costs of replacing the two items, and is also providing free shipping. Great customer service.

Here's the recommendation:

Thank you for your email.

Some wear and tear is to be expected after two seasons but it seems that there is in this instance some external factors at play. Strong detergents (fabric softeners, stain removers or bio laundry products) can break the fibers and/or make them lose their elasticity. Logos can peel off due to the detergent too, or if the garments are washed too hot, although you do mention cold wash so we can rule this out.

We recommend non-bio detergents and 30 degree wash for these garments.

Just use Halo sport wash on a delicate wash. Should protect and clean all your gear very well.

Thanks goonz, but I don't think we can access that here in Canada... I will try to see if there's a north american alternative

Wiggle stock it, I'm sure they deliver to Canada? Buy about 4 bottles at once should keep you going probably a year?

I found the 250ml bottle ... I wish they had the larger container

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/halo-proactive-sports-wash-250ml-concentrate/

Oop, looks like Halo's website will ship direct, 6 x 1L bottles :D

http://www.halononbio.co.uk/halo-sports/halo-proactive-sportswash-1ltr-6-pack#prettyPhoto

http://www.wiggle.co.uk/halo-proactive-sports-wash-laundry-detergent-1-litre/

Not sure how much it is to ship to canada, but wiggle works out cheaper per bottle than halos own site...

now I'm intrigued by Canadian washing protocol. no bio and non-bio?? Like WTF?? Or do you just not wash clothes.

Does this stuff really work for goretex and not fuck it up?

I think because of my location (Canada), that 1Litre bottle shows up as "Sorry - this product is no longer available"

In the UK you guys call it bio/non-bio

Here i think it's a different term, i just don't know what it is....

Look for "no enzymes".