Originally Posted by hhnngg1

Part of the reason why is that manufacturers like Assos first charge you and arm and a leg and then include in the instructions very clear print saying pretty expliclity to baby your bibs - only wash in the lightest cycle, with sports detergent, and use a special BAG that comes with the bibs just for washing them.

I ended up taking a spill and putting a quarter-sized hole in the side of my Assos so they were pretty early on relegated to trainer duty (I ride 50% of my miles on the trainer so it's not trivial) and I stopped with the baby care - in fact, I was hoping they'd die an early death so I could replace them. Alas, 4 years later, that quarter sized hole is the same size, and the rest of it looks new.

I think it's just a perception of quality that the bike manufacturers are selling you. In reality, they're much, much toughter than their 'instructions' say.