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Hi all,
For both planet-saving and money-saving reasons, I like to buy stuff that is likely to last a while. Purchase price is not always correlated with quality/durability, so lifetime warranties/free repairs/that kind of thing seem as good an indicator or longevity as any to go by (plus are useful of course).
I'm looking to buy the following things in the near future - I'm aware that many don't lend themselves to the above, but including them in the list anyway.
Does anyone have any recommendations for brands or products matching the below, who do lifetime warranties or similar?
Multitool with chain splitter, Tyre levers, Spoke wrench (Pedros? Park Tools?)
Saddle bag and saddle pack
Road/gravel Mudguards
Waterproof socks
MTB shorts
Knee pads
Road/gravel saddle
Gravel tyres
MTB hydration pack
On a related note, would there be any interest in some kind of database that had info on cycling related companies that make products to last? (ie a cycle specific www.buymeonce.com)
Cheers!
Duane.
Waterproof socks
MTB shorts
Knee pads
Road/gravel saddle
Gravel tyres
That's all stuff that wears out if you use it regularly. Nobody's going to offer a lifetime warranty on it.
planet saving huh
See:
I’m aware that many don’t lend themselves to the above, but including them in the list anyway.
would sir like the moon on a stick as well?
See Carradice for repairable saddlebag/pack. Old-skool roadies use theirs for about 50 years.... Then even look and work better when old, faded and battered!
Does anyone offer any warranty on any tyres? Not just gravel ones?
I’m aware that many don’t lend themselves to the above, but including them in the list anyway.
Why include them if you already know the answer?
e.g.
All Sealskinz products are guaranteed against any manufacturer’s defects for a period of 12 months after purchase. Many products are also labelled with the Stretchdry Lifetime Guarantee and the Two Year Waterproof Guarantee from Sealskinz.
Sounds alright to me.
Sounds alright to me.
It's not a lifetime warranty. Nobody is going to give a lifetime warranty on socks.
so lifetime warranties/free repairs/that kind of thing
That kind of thing. Not just looking for lifetime.
12 months is significantly better than the 0 month guarantee most socks come with.
Multitool - Crank Brothers used to offer a lifetime warranty on them, not sure if they still do.
Just checked the M series of tools still do.
So your question is actually "Cycle products with a warranty longer then 0 months?"
I've had success using camelbak's got your back guarantee when the seal on my bladder went. They sent me a new bladder FOC.
Does anyone offer any warranty on any tyres? Not just gravel ones?
Can't find any details on it now, but I'm sure that Schwalbe Marathon Plus used to come with a warranty wearby Schwalbe would guarantee you wouldn't get a puncture for the life of the tyre (I think in practice this just meant free inner tube's if they did get a puncture).
Or failing that, Tanus make a 'solid' tyre that's not that much heavier than a conventional tyre + tyve combination.
So your question is actually “Cycle products with a warranty longer then 0 months?”
Sure, if that makes you happy. Thanks.
Osprey have the 'All Mighty Guarantee' for their packs. They repair or replace them.
https://www.osprey.com/us/en/customer-support/all-mighty-guarantee
12 months is significantly better than the 0 month guarantee most socks come with.
Is it really though? Sealskins likely have a bigger effect on the environment from their materials and manufacturing, whereas normal socks (most of which last a long time anyway) should be a lot simpler on both accounts.
Its a little like the Bag For Life issue where the bag will last a bit longer yet 1 Bag For Life takes the equivalent of 142* single-use bags energy to make
*Infinite Monkey Cage quote, may not be exact
It’s not a lifetime warranty. Nobody is going to give a lifetime warranty on socks.
Darn tough replace them when they wear out.
Or used to anyway, I need to check again soon.
Its a little like the Bag For Life issue where the bag will last a bit longer yet 1 Bag For Life takes the equivalent of 142* single-use bags energy to make
Yep, I heard the same quote and was surprised.
But I think perhaps the OP is trying to see what lasts long, rather than have holes picked in his sentences.
The point he was making, I think, is that if someone offers some sort of warranty, they are confident in their product.
In which case, we can expect the product to last longer than a cheap disposable product and therefore is more ecological.
Also makes financial sense too.
"Only a rich man buys cheap tools"
For example, instead of using a 'bag for life' use a material bag.
It is made of plants, and can be thrown on the compost when done.
It is not perfect, still requires resources to make, but substantially better.
Raleigh used to do lifetime and BSA 50 years about 60 years ago...
I'm sure that's a lot of help. 🙂
Raleigh used to do lifetime
Fat lot of good their warranty was anyway. BITD I had a titanium frame road bike, frame snapped and the waranty replacement was a far heavier steel frame, met the small print requirement.....
Similar approach from Blackburn with their 'lifetime' warranty, you need to have the original receipt and take it back to the original vendor (tough luck if they've gone out of business).
Rapha do repairs and downsize discounts on clothing. The stuff I've had from them has lasted really well.
Santa Cruz wheels maybe?
I've got a 1990 Karrimor rucksack with a lifetime warranty. This was fine when they had a factory in Accrington, not so sure I'd get much assistance if I took it to the current brand owners....
Thinking about it, good product support must be an East Lancs thing - Carradice, Hope, Karrimor (of old).
Alpkit offer 3 years, but they mostly seem to just replace (and bin) rather than repair.
Patagonia?
normal socks (most of which last a long time anyway)
A chap commenting on the hebtroco sock release on Facebook was asking about the longevity of them, as the ones he normally got from millets lasted ‘less than a week’. I shudder to think why.
I've got some Porelle dry socks that I bought at Bike 98 at the NEC when waterproof socks were new and exciting.
They've gone a bit bare on the heels but they're still fully waterproof. Granted they'd be dead if I used them on a weekly basis but is anyone else wearing a 21 year old pair of socks?
From years of experience as a consumer and a period in the trade, IME the ones that shout loudest about their warranties are often the same companies with awful quality problems - don't kid yourself it's about making a product that lasts, its more to do with covering up their chunky workmanship.
If you want tools that last, obvious choice is go for big and heavy as they'll unlikely break. I expect a few will say Topeak Hummer or similar - mines a rusting lump that gets rarely used and the tyre levers are broken. My Lezyne SV10 is half the size / weight has been everywhere including multiple 'epic' trips and is still immaculate. Lezyne alloy tyre levers for the fact they're recyclable.
Some others
Saddle pack - Ortlieb
Saddle - Brooks (if you can get on with it)
Mudguards- PDW or Velo Orange metal ones
As for clothing & tyres - just got for quality, durable stuff - longer it lasts, the more you'll use it, less likely to chuck.
Dakine hotlaps gripper tool/spares bag comes with a lifetime warranty and they do uphold it.
Obliterated mine in the alps in the summer and replaced FOC
ROACH clothing also offered LTW and upheld it right until the company closed. Owner passed away last year
RIP Ingrid
not many companies offer a genuine lifetime warranty and uphold it. Read the small print and many are not even close to deserving the word "lifetime" or have so many get out clauses it's barely any sort of warranty at all.
Yer a good lad Duane. (even if you are asking about gravel tyres 30 years too early)