In the last video we reviewed some mountain biking products, and I showed you where my
Fox Digit glove was coming apart at the seam.
Like my gloves, all these products are made of fabric and thread.
They’re also expensive to replace.
But you can squeeze a little more life out of your gear if you know how to fix it.
Luckily, Park makes a bike tool for everything.
This kit is made for routing cables internally, and this dummy hub lets you service a drivetrain
while the rear wheel is off.
They must have something for repairing gloves.
Alright, I got this covered.
Every drug store on the planet carries sewing kits, and today I’m getting the nicest one
in the store for $5.49. Park, if you’re watching this I forgive you for not making
sewing kits.
In fact, I think I can make my own.
Well, at least I got the blue right.
This is the CSK-1, Cycling Sewing Kit.
Although I’m totally unqualified to teach you anything about sewing, I know enough to
fix this glove.
On almost any textile the seams are on the inside.
By turning this glove inside out, we can see where it’s coming apart, and what it’s
supposed to look like.
In our CSK-1, we have needles, thread, a thimble, totally useless scissors, and even some spare
parts.
I could use black thread to match the glove, but bright orange is easier to see on video.
Cut a nice length of thread, and put it through the eye of your needle.
This takes some practice, and it’s easiest if you have a clean cut on the end of your
thread.
Pull your thread through so the two ends meet up with each other.
Now for a sewing knot.
Just loop the thread around your finger, roll it, and pull it into this messy gob.
Now to repair this seam.
I’m just going to use the undamaged part of the glove as a template, and try to mimic
the seam the same distance from the edge.
This is pretty tough material, so I’m relying on the table or the thimble to push the needle
through.
I lack consistency, proper technique, and experience, but still this seam is coming
together nicely.
Alright time tie this up.
Go ahead, laugh at my uneven stitches.
We’ll see who’s laughing when I turn this glove back around.
And it’s fixed.
It’ll be interesting to see how long this lasts, considering the original seam came
apart after a month.
If it does break again, I’ll bust out my CSK-1 and sew it back together.
Here you can see the hip pouch on my my hydration pack is torn in the middle, not on a seam.
A good way to mend this would be to sew a patch over it, but because it’s stretchy
I’m just going to close the wound.
Even in this case, I’m putting the seam on the inside so it’s not as vulnerable
or ugly.
It ain’t pretty, but we stopped it from tearing anymore.
So that’s it.
To call this basic sewing is being generous, but it’s enough to get you by when you’re
on the road, or don’t have the funds to buy new stuff.
I think sewing is a skill that every outdoor enthusiast should know, but what do you guys
think?
How many of you already repair your own gear?
Probably a lot.
Do you think Park should make a sewing kit?
They make a Pizza cutter.
Talk about it in the comments.
Thanks for riding with me today and I’ll see you next time.