Hot soapy water on a wash rag, with some careful scrubbing, is usually sufficient. Some fluid replacement drinks present a challenge, as the dried stuff takes on a glue-like property. Dish soap in hot water almost always does the job, with some patient soaking.

Arundel welded-seam bags including Pico, Medio, Gordo, Czar and Tycoon, are water resistant but not waterproof. The zipper may allow moisture, dirt, and mud to pass through. As such, it pays to periodically remove the contents and wash the bags out with hot, soapy water and allow to dry.

We’ve found that a touch of wax chain lube might also help improve and protect the zipper action. By giving your equipment a bit of deserved attention on a periodic basis, your equipment would thank you, if it could talk.

If you ride a lot and you sweat a lot, three times per year is prudent so you can check your handlebars for safety issues.

With the advent of cycling gloves with grippy palm padding, especially silicone, bar tape durability (irrespective of brand) is sometimes compromised as the grippy gloves fight the grippy tape. If you love those gloves, pick a tape that isn’t a rubbery, grippy surface and you should be fine.

Also to improve the lifespan, all tape needs a periodic bath. A washrag, hot soapy water, and your best shoeshine technique can restore dirty tape in a matter of minutes.