How to fix hole in bike shorts?

[KLizotte]

Hi, I’ve got a hole in my Pearl Izumi bike shorts. Any ideas on how to easily fix it? I was going to just stitch it together but I suspect that may not be a good idea for spandex. I have a sewing machines but very limited sewing skills. Should I use a patch instead?

Thanks!

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[hozn]

Yes, search Amazon for IronMend. (Sorry can’t easily link that in right now.)

[KLizotte]

Oh wow! Thanks for the reply since I had no idea IronMend existed. Even though it is made specifically for wetsuits it appears that most people on Amazon use it to repair cycling kit. Sounds like there is a real need out there for the cycling community. Will get some and give it a whirl. May be useful for some other stuff with holes in it.

[hozn]

Yeah, that stuff works well, though I have found that stuff that goes into the dryer tends to have patches start peeling after awhile (half dozen washes?). Using the glue that they sell with it might add a bit of longevity? Or just hang-up repaired lycra. (Or maybe I did something wrong when fixing.)

[KLizotte]

Well, it’s designed for wetsuits which I presume are not designed to go into the dryer. I hang dry my shorts anyway so shouldn’t be an issue.

[hozn]

@KLizotte 163174 wrote:

Well, it’s designed for wetsuits which I presume are not designed to go into the dryer. I hang dry my shorts anyway so shouldn’t be an issue.

Yeah, very good. I used to be more meticulous about hang drying lycra, but at some point it just started going into the dryer. Probably if I bought more expensive shorts I’d do better at that. But I do hang dry the patched stuff now — e.g. my PI amfib tights.

[KLizotte]

I do occasionally cheat and throw kit in on the delicate cycle but I live in a high rise and it costs money to use the dryers.

[anomad]

Looks like a small hole. I would try just a few loops of thread by hand to close it up. A more solid patch would be to back it with some fabric and run over it with a zig-zag pattern. Probably overkill unless its in a high stress area.

[KLizotte]

It’s about the size of a nickel on the inside of the leg. No idea how it got there.

[Judd]

@KLizotte 163183 wrote:

It’s about the size of a nickel on the inside of the leg. No idea how it got there.

The answer is always: From laying down amazing wattage.

[KLizotte]

@Judd 163184 wrote:

The answer is always: From laying down amazing wattage.

I think it most likely occurred when I unintentionally went on a mountain biking excursion on my road bike and had to bushwhack my way out, uphill, to find civilization. Was a funny experience *after* it was over.

[baiskeli]

It’s hard to patch or sew shut stretchy material in a way that will last. I once repaired shorts by sewing an entire new panel over the old one made of stretchy black fabric. It hid the repair and gave the stitches something to grab.

[jdricks]

Had success using a patch and Seam Grip.

[Vicegrip]

I guess I don’t know better. Hate to admit but I seem to get plenty of practice stitching up tears in the bibs. I pinch the cloth with a clip about an inch from the seam and move the clip along as I go to keep the seam and tensions even. I do a loop stitch being careful not to pull it too tight as I go. lots of loops close together. Stop every 1/2 inch or so and lock the stitch line with a running knot and keep moving along. Pull in just enough to keep the cloth from unraveling but not so much as to bunch up a large running lump. Not perfect as there is a thin stitched up snake but the cloth gives a bit and the bibs still fit fine without creases or pulls. Have a pair of long lasting bibs with two hand made seams that match the road rash scars in the skin directly below them. The key is working on it when you are otherwise still. On the sofa watching a movie your spouse picked for example.

[Author]

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