Fk my old boots

[Ariel Badger]

Got home from a ride on Wednesday and the sole on my boot was missing! They have a stiff inner sole and I did not notice until I took it off, close inspection and the other boot is going the same way, Am I expecting too much from my boots? Hand made Altbergs, 20 years old and only used on the sprint circuit for most of their life so they have done less than 1000 miles and been worn for about 50 days.
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Bikers make great organ donors, get 115 on your licence today.

[stinkwheel]

The sole material degrades over time because it's got natural rubber in it. Happened with Mrs stinkwheels altberg hiking boots. Hers were about 15 years old but have seen a lot of use and a not inconsiderable amount of neglect. They resoled them for her.
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[grr666]

20 years is a long time for glue to stay stuck on anything. That's all there would have been holding the sole on.
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[Ariel Badger]

[Islander]

It'd be worth having a chat with Altberg about it.

[Freddyfruitba...]

I'd be less concerned about the 20-year lifespan, more that I was riding in footwear that was evidently just a gnat's away from disintegration without it being obvious. Wouldn't much like to go down the road wearing a sole-less boot...
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KC100->CB100N->CB250RS--------->DL650AL2->R1200RS->R1250RS

[A100man]

I have some vintage FrankThomas (FT1? boots with diamond stitching on the shin) that are still holding together, after 30+ years. Don't get that much use though..
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Now: A100, GT250A, XJ598, FZ750

Then: Fizz, RS200, KL250, XJ550, Laverda Alpina, XJ600, FZS600

[sickpup]

[doggone]

Strange things happen to paraboots with age.
I had a pair one side actually got holed in upper but kept the good one, only when I wanted it to match another the rubber in heel had turned into something like breadcrumbs inside.
It was in a dark cupboard too so age more than light damage like a perished tyre.

[sickpup]

[Bhud]

I bought a pair of RST boots a couple of years ago and the sole began to separate after 6 months. It was a big hassle dealing with the merchant and eventually getting my money back after a lot of arguing, letters and emails back and forth.
I'm not looking forward to buying my next pair of bike boots. Just doesn't make sense for the manufacturer to make boots that last any longer than the barest minimum, and the sole would have to stay stuck on even though it has a stiffer undersole. Never any data available on any tests to failure they did. Probably the only data used when selecting glues and materials was taking an average of how many miles are biked every year. Made-up example: if 1000 miles are averaged a year, the boot gets flexed 100000 times in 2 years, so no need to select a glue and rubber combo strong enough to outlast 100000 30-degree bends. Customer is a vacuous dentist who gets all his consumer advice from Youtube shills, and mostly cares about either armour or looks, so focus on those things. You want that customer back in a couple of years to buy again anyway. Just a suspicion. Anyway, the design and use parameters of a good and long-lasting bike boot are an engineering challenge that doesn't seem to get scrutinised much by reviewers.

[stinkwheel]

[to v or not to v]

never had a problem with the sole on Dr Martens, even after a couple of decades.
well, except for that time i fell asleep with my feet in front of the fire

i have boots with leather soles as well, which i guess solves the problem.
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current bike Yamaha Thunderace.
Moto Guzzi V7.

[Nobby the Bastard]

I know soles fall off para boots if you put your feet too close to the fire because the glue fails if it gets too hot.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
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[MCN]

[MCN]