How durable are lycra nicks?

sogood said:

Just noticed my fairly new mid-price range lycra nick got all roughed up in one area. Looks horrible and appears as if it'll go through in the near future.

What's the deal with these lycra nicks? Is this kind of damage common? Is a short life span the norm for these? Or are there differences with those much more expensive nicks?

Kind of disappointed.

For lycra to "rough up", you must has scraped against bricks, concrete etc. Over a number of years, they will stretch and wear through normal use. I've found that my "better" nicks last a couple of season before they start to deteriorate, but if I scrape up against a brickwall accidentally, then the nature of the fabric will result in a roughed up section where all the threads have pulled. Cheap nicks will deteriorate faster, tear more easily...and usually come with a crappy chamois.

That makes sense. Given your pointer, I suspect it was from leaning against or sitting on a brick wall on a recent weekend ride, when we stopped for drink and food. 🙁

sogood said:

That makes sense. Given your pointer, I suspect it was from leaning against or sitting on a brick wall on a recent weekend ride, when we stopped for drink and food. 🙁

Velcro is another problem, saddlebags, backpacks, gloves, etc.. can catch if the hardstrip on these things catch/rub against your nicks or throw stuff together in with your nicks after riding training etc.

Thanks again. Looks like that I'll have to take extra care of these lycra nicks. Amazingly, my very first cheapish non-lycra nick bought some 15+ years ago is still in shape without any damage. It even has real chamois.