Originally Posted by
LesterOfPuppets
Mostly true. However, the dryer is rough on some gripper materials and shorts that have elastic. I have some Tyr shorts that have gotten a lot of dryer time and their grippers are deteriorating, leaving black marks on my legs.
That could be a function of the gripper material rather than an effect from the dryer. Plastics, especially soft plastics, can decompose with age. Heat may not have anything to do with it. I have many shorts with grippers on them that are quite old without any deterioration problems.
I’m not saying that the deterioration problem you are having isn’t due to dryer use but it could be other factors as well.
I'd still avoid running Lycra in high heat. And DEFINITELY avoid hanging Lycra to dry in direct sun.
I hope that people aren’t interpreting what I have said about dryer use to mean use high heat settings. I only mean to say that bicycle clothes can be dried in a dryer. The heat doesn’t hurt them. I wouldn’t dry them at the 200°C setting temperature nor, probably, at a “whites” setting. Most dryers I’ve seen have a “sport” setting which is perfect for bicycle clothes.
As for hanging Lycra in direct sun, I don’t see why that should be a problem. We ride them in the sun so why would hanging them in the sun be any different?