Wednesday 13 January 2010

Vale Rossis...



It had to happen. My faithful Rossi Senora size 5 bike boots have finally reached that stage where retirement is looking good.

The Velcro closure has been a bit fluffy for a while now. The inside heels wore away a while ago, to be replaced by comfy gel inserts. The stitching had to be redone a couple of years ago after I went for a slide down the road.

The soles are barely worn.


I’ve worn those boots almost every single day for the past 4 years. I commute in them, tour in them, go to rallies in them and wear them all day. They are the most comfortable things I’ve ever had on my feet.

They’ve also saved my legs/feet/ankles more than once, although they weren’t able to prevent a tendon avulsion on my foot when I leapt off the falling bike during the willy-willy incident a year ago.

They’ve been the final resting place of a million grasshoppers, have deflected the odd stick or stone, and once caused the demise of a suicidal crimson rosella. They’ve seen about a hundred thousand road kilometres in all weather and all seasons.

This morning, though, as I parked the bike near work, I noticed this neat little hole worn through the spot where I press against the gear lever. It’s all the way through to the lining.


My dilemma - should I take them to the bootmaker and have them repaired, or should I fork out another three or four hundred for a brand new pair? Should I look for a different brand? Decisions, decisions. Another repair job would certainly be cheaper than new boots, but perhaps it’s time to allow them a gracious retirement after such faithful service.

I love my Rossis. They’re Australian made, comfortable, durable – for the sort of riding I do (coz I’m not a girl racer) they’re probably perfect – and definitely value for money. The only beef I’ve ever had with them is that the moulded soles don’t allow the addition of extra height. A mere extra centimetre on the heel would’ve been useful for this short-arse on occasions.

I shall spend a little time trying on other boots, I suppose – it’s a good excuse to do the rounds of the bike shops (as if I need an excuse!) but I suspect I’ll come back to the tried and true Rossi Boots.

8 comments:

lemmiwinks said...

One word: silastic. Classy and waterproof!

Sue said...

Ooooh, and CHEAP! Will be an excellent stop-gap while I hunt for new boots. Where do you get it? Bunnings???

lemmiwinks said...

Actually I think you can even get it in the "hardware" section of the supermarket! It's a Sellys product and it comes in black too.

Sue said...

I went looking at lunchtime yesterday and was a bit boggled by the variety of 'silicone sealants', adhesives, fillers and polymer thingies on offer. They all seemed to be for things like roofing, gluing your toilet or bath in, and fishtanks...

lemmiwinks said...

Well, is my face red! Looks like it's been a few years since I bought any (I must confess I went to use some the other day and the entire tube had set). Selleys used to make it in a nice handy tube about the size of a tube of toothpaste but it seems they only do silicone sealants now (probably some trademark dispute over the use of the word "silastic").

Maybe try an auto parts store? I'd aim for this, or a cheap knock off.

Sue said...

You're a legend! I was getting a bit overwhelmed by the sheer volume of CHOICE! (Show an Irishman 3 shovels and tell him to take his pick, bwahahahaha!) OK, I'm only a little bit Irish, but still....

Anonymous said...

Actually black Sikaflex may be a better bet - it's a polyurethane rather than a silicone, and it has about 15% movement capacity compared to about 3% for silicone. You can get it at Bunnings. It's used in the construction industry for filling expansion joints. Just don't get it on your skin, it takes weeks to get it off - use rubber gloves.

Sue said...

Excellent - thanks Andrew - I can feel a trip to Bunnings coming on - wheeeeeeeeeeeee! Ventura Bag - check; Occy straps - check; credit card - check! All set :-)(This could be a bad mistake...might just have to pop into the garden centre while I'm at it...)