Is It Time to Replace Your Gear?
No matter how much you treasure your favorite racket or first mountain bike, all sports equipment has a shelf life. Find out if it's time to retire your gear and how to make new items last longer.
by Marissa Stephenson
Tennis Racket - 4 to 6 years
Signs It's Time to Toss The frame is bent; the grip is worn-out or feels slippery.How to Make It Last Longer "Replace your strings frequently because they bear the brunt of a racket's wear," says Chris Lewis, creator of tennis-experts.com.
Tennis Balls - 4 to 6 hours of play
Signs It's Time to Toss The ball is waterlogged (from being left out in the rain) or has bald patches on its surface. It doesn't bounce as high when you hit it.How to Make It Last Longer Store balls in their can, away from extreme heat or cold.
Bike - Frame, 20 to 25 years; gears and chain, 5 to 10 years
Signs It's Time to Toss There are dents in the frame or rust and kinks in the chain.How to Make It Last Longer Store your bike inside; take it to a bike shop once a year for a tune-up; keep the chain lubricated and replace it every 1,000 miles.
Bike Tires - 2 to 3 years
Signs It's Time to Toss The rubber is flaky or you feel the wheels slipping on the ground when you brake.How to Make It Last Longer Never ride on underinflated tires; check the pressure before every ride, and watch for debris along the road to avoid flats.
