Originally Posted by datlas

4) waste money to replace clothes that are worn before their time.

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.