How do you mend holes in lycra shorts?

Tokie · 05-28-2007, 05:41 PM

Hi! My husband has had 2 recent encounters with the pavement, really only injuring his expensive bib shorts with small holes. One hole stretches out to about 1/2 inch diameter when the shorts are on, but not in a part of anatomy one wants exposed! Anyone have a tip for mending lycra cycling shorts? Thanks!

Shimpie · 05-28-2007, 06:03 PM

I've used clear nail polish for tiny holes in pantyhose and other stretchy fabrics. However I think a 0.5" diameter hole would be too big. Besides, the irritation from scratchy dried nail polish would drive me nuts.

You could try an iron-on patch.

-Shimpie

KnottedYet · 05-28-2007, 06:22 PM

I'd be worried that the hot iron would melt the shorts!!

I've never heard of anyone successfully mending a large hole in lycra. Maybe contact the manufacturer and see what they suggest?

Kano · 05-28-2007, 08:17 PM

When I got holes in a brand new pair last summer -- danged velcro! -- I dug some nice, heavy, black lycra stuff out of my resource center (stash) and cut a couple of squares larger than each hole. I used a triple step zig zag to stitch around each side of the square. 800 or so miles later, it's holding up well!

Karen in Boise

Tokie · 05-28-2007, 09:54 PM

Ah-ha! I never thought to keep around old shorts to serve as skin grafts for my new ones! Sounds like it should work pretty well! My husband's hole-y bibs thank you! , Tokie

Kano · 05-28-2007, 10:58 PM

Just in case you're wondering, I put the patches on the outside, just in case they would have been irritating on the edges!

Karen iin Boise

RoadRaven · 05-29-2007, 11:50 AM

We recently purchased a second hand TT suit for my 16 year old. It arrived in shabby condition, not as the vendor had described it (TradeMe).

The elastic needed restitching (leg-holes) and there was a tiny hole (about the size of a pea) where it must have been caught on something on one but cheek.

I just hand stitched it together with tiny stitches. He wore it in a TT two days later and it was fine.

05-28-2007, 05:41 PM	#1
Tokie Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 399	How do you mend holes in lycra shorts? Hi! My husband has had 2 recent encounters with the pavement, really only injuring his expensive bib shorts with small holes. One hole stretches out to about 1/2 inch diameter when the shorts are on, but not in a part of anatomy one wants exposed! Anyone have a tip for mending lycra cycling shorts? Thanks!

05-28-2007, 06:22 PM	#3
KnottedYet Me on my Downtube folder Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Mrs. Trek420 Posts: 8,777	I'd be worried that the hot iron would melt the shorts!! I've never heard of anyone successfully mending a large hole in lycra. Maybe contact the manufacturer and see what they suggest? __________________ "The thug is aware that loudness convinces sixty persons where reasoning convinces but one." Mark Twain

05-28-2007, 09:54 PM	#5
Tokie Registered User Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 399	Thanks Kano! Ah-ha! I never thought to keep around old shorts to serve as skin grafts for my new ones! Sounds like it should work pretty well! My husband's hole-y bibs thank you! , Tokie

05-29-2007, 11:50 AM	#7
RoadRaven TimeTrial Wannabe Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Middle Earth Posts: 4,001	We recently purchased a second hand TT suit for my 16 year old. It arrived in shabby condition, not as the vendor had described it (TradeMe). The elastic needed restitching (leg-holes) and there was a tiny hole (about the size of a pea) where it must have been caught on something on one but cheek. I just hand stitched it together with tiny stitches. He wore it in a TT two days later and it was fine. __________________ Courage does not always roar. Sometimes, it is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, "I will try again tomorrow".

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05-28-2007, 06:03 PM	#2
Shimpie Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Irvine, CA Posts: 83	I've used clear nail polish for tiny holes in pantyhose and other stretchy fabrics. However I think a 0.5" diameter hole would be too big. Besides, the irritation from scratchy dried nail polish would drive me nuts. You could try an iron-on patch. -Shimpie

05-28-2007, 08:17 PM	#4
Kano Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,083	When I got holes in a brand new pair last summer -- danged velcro! -- I dug some nice, heavy, black lycra stuff out of my resource center (stash) and cut a couple of squares larger than each hole. I used a triple step zig zag to stitch around each side of the square. 800 or so miles later, it's holding up well! Karen in Boise

05-28-2007, 10:58 PM	#6
Kano Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Boise, Idaho Posts: 1,083	Just in case you're wondering, I put the patches on the outside, just in case they would have been irritating on the edges! Karen iin Boise