Care & Maintenance

Soft luggage fails in predictable ways, and almost all of them are preventable. Ten minutes of care a season is the difference between a bag that lasts two years and one that lasts eight.

After every long ride

• Empty it. Damp kit left inside for a week is how mildew starts, and mildew smell never fully leaves a bag.
• Check the straps. Straps stretch and settle over the first few rides. Re-tighten before your next trip, not during it.
• Brush out the base. Grit trapped between the bag and your paint is what causes scratches, on both magnetic and strap-mounted bags. The bag is not the culprit, the sand under it is.

Cleaning

• Mild soap and water, a soft brush, and let it air dry fully before storing.
• No solvents, no petrol, no harsh cleaners. They strip the waterproof coating, and coating damage is not covered under warranty.
• Never machine wash. The agitation breaks down sealed seams.
• Dry in shade, not direct sun. UV is the single biggest enemy of any technical fabric.

Zippers

The zip is what fails first on almost every bag, because it is the part you use most.

• Brush dust out of the teeth after dusty rides. Dust grinds zips far faster than water does.
• Wax the teeth periodically with zipper wax or a candle stub. A stiff zip that gets forced is a zip about to break.
• Do not force a jammed zip. Back it off, clear the obstruction, run it again.
• Never overload past capacity. A zip under tension will split at the stop.

Waterproofing

Sealed construction and coatings degrade slowly with UV and abrasion. If you notice water getting in after a couple of seasons of hard use, that is normal wear rather than a defect. A spray-on fabric waterproofer restores most of it. Pay particular attention to seams and the area under the mounting straps, which abrade most.

Heat

Keep fabric clear of the exhaust. Always. A silencer runs hot enough to melt polyester in minutes, and it happens on the side you cannot see while riding. If your bike has a high or upswept exhaust, fit a pannier rail or heat shield before you tour. Heat damage is not a warranty claim.

Storage

• Store clean, dry and loosely packed. Do not compress a bag flat for months, it creases the coating.
• Cool, dry place, out of direct sun.
• Leave zips slightly open so air circulates.
• Do not leave bags mounted on the bike long-term. UV, rain and theft are all working against you.

Loading well

• Heavy and dense low and forward. Light and bulky high and back.
• Balance both sides of a saddle bag set. An uneven load will pull the bike under braking.
• Do not exceed the stated capacity. An overstuffed bag puts every seam and zip under permanent tension.
• Anything that must stay dry goes in a sealed pouch, even inside a waterproof bag. Belt and braces costs nothing.

Questions

If something has failed and you are not sure whether it is wear or a defect, send us photos at support@rideanddrivegears.com. We will tell you honestly which it is, and what it will cost to fix if it is not covered. See our warranty terms for full details.