fork gaitors

britbike220 · Jul 30, 2011

I bought and installed a set on one of my commnados in February and noticed today the rubber is already severely dry rotted! Is there a supplier that has good rubber that won't rot in a few months. The last set I put on my other bike are still great after 7 years. The ones that are rotted are emgo and unfortunately have another set still in the packaging.

Marathon Man · Jul 30, 2011

I've noticed that too. Can't remember what brand I have but they are dry-rotted.

What the hell happened to good quality rubber? I've got a few pieces of 40-year-old rubber on the bike (e.g. warning light bezels, steering head plug) that are as smooth and soft as the day the were made. What gives? Ozone? Shitty ingredients?

BrianK · Jul 30, 2011

I got mine from Old Britts. I think they were all of $18. That was a few years back and they still look new.

yellow750 · Jul 30, 2011

britbike 220,
Who supplied the gaiters? It might be worth contacting a few of the British dealers in UK like Andover Norton, RGM, Norvil etc to see if they have any better quality items in stock or it will be a pain changing them every few months.

platinumsmith · Jul 30, 2011

I think one of the cruelties of getting old is when you've saved something special for so long only to find it's crumbly.

KSUWildcatFan · Jul 30, 2011

If my Emgo gaiters end up crumbling after a year, I'm driving my bike into an embankment. That is all.

Hobot · Jul 30, 2011

I too found decay gaiters after 3 yr on Trixie just sitting in shed. I've heard so many of these fast failures last few year and now mine I am going to hunt a real shock absorber boots instead next time and cut to length if not right already. Can pick new colors too. Shock covers are just lace on narrow bags.

Found a hint from a UK gear head... transit van steering rack boots

britbike220 · Jul 31, 2011

I guess I'll call old britts and ask them if their stock is problematic and try one more set. I will go back to the stock exposed fork tubes as a last resort since I don't like that look.

swooshdave · Jul 31, 2011

BrianK said:
I got mine from Old Britts. I think they were all of $18. That was a few years back and they still look new.

They are currently $14.60 each.

The rapid deterioration is caused by excessive ozone. Or sunshine from the hole in the ozone. I can't remember which.

Do you guys treat them with anything? Armor All or some other silicone?

britbike220 · Jul 31, 2011

I understand the UV break down, but doesn't good rubber withstand the effects for a lot longer. I can't imagine the protective layer has diminished in the last 6 months to the point that rubber rots in no time. As a matter of compasrison why wouldn't the 7 year old pair rot as well. They have have as much if not more exposure to the elements as the emgo pair. I'm banking on cheap chinese parts again...

Hobot · Jul 31, 2011

I don't know the reason though educated on O3 and photo decay but wife and I have noticed that rubber bands used and stored this last decade don't last near as long as prior. Change of compound/manufacture or just harsher environment??

Not all bikes can fit gaiters but still suffer from grit on seals...

fork gaitors

Similar threads