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Revitalizing old Velcro?

William JenksWilliam Jenks
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My bike shoes are 3 years old now.  While they're very "used", there's nothing really wrong with them... except for the velcro on the straps isn't sticking very well any more.  Grrr!  I was just in a race where they were wet, and they came undone a few times each over the course of my 56 miles.  Pretty annoying.

There's nothing special about the wear on the velcro, other than age.

Does anyone have any good tricks for revitalizing velcro?  Or am I pretty much out of luck and looking at having to get new shoes?

Thanks!

Comments

  • gilliattgilliatt
    What kind of shoes are they?
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Since I JUST got a new pair of Sidi T 2.6 for racing only, intending to keep my old Sidi T1s from 2000 (15-20K miles on them), I thought I;d investigate.

    1. Yes, my old Sidis have wimpy velcro. Apparent even between the smaller strap (which I always keep closed), and the larger one, which I open and close with each use - at least 1000 rides over the past 10+ years, and stark difference between old and new shoe. But not enough to say - " these don't work anymore". And they have had a few soaking rain rides in the soggy Pac NW.

    2. So I Googled the question, and tried a few things - specifically, "shaving" the fuzzy part, and "cleaning" the stiffer part with a stiff wire brush (used for cat/dog fur). No real improvement.

    I did seem two sites in that Google search which comment on getting a shoe repair place to just sew on a new velcro strap.

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    These shoes are nothing special - Pearl Isumi TRI R3 is the model I think. Looks very much identical to the TRI FLY They are wearing out, but if there's no need to replace them yet, I don't want to. :-)

    I went home for lunch and tried semi-singing the furry part, as described in one of your google links. Hadn't seen that one before. That MAY have helped some. Will have to give it a try.

    I know Sidis are The Bling on the road side (though I admit I don't know the subtleties of why), but don't know what distinguishes a $250 or $350 shoe from a $150 shoe. Of course, you're telling me yours are 10 years old, and mine are only 3...

  • Beth_SBeth_S

    What about taking them to the cobbler for velcro replacement?

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    That's a thought. I have a pair of street shoes that I love on their 3rd or 4th sole. :-)
  • Al TruscottAl Truscott

    Except for the Velcro and the heel pads (which are replaceable), the Sidis are apparently indesrtuctible.In addition to the T1s from 2000,  I have two pair I've been using for MTB since the last millenium, one for wet/cold whether, the other for racing. My T2.6 cost $250 during the recent TriSports sale. When I went shopping for new Tri racing shoes, I discovered the Sidis are not only more comfortable for my feet, but also lighter weight.

  • William JenksWilliam Jenks
    Sounds like it might be worth keeping an eye out for a good sale price as long as there's no urgency to buy now.
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