Problems with Aero Jacket and Talon Zipper

[Maxwells_Daemon]

I have trouble believing this as Holly, Denny and Rachel are red-hot on replying, as anyone around here will tell you.

I did receive one response from Christine saying Denny would contact me but, until today, that's the only response I've received. I fired several emails back and forth with Holly while I was ordering the jacket, and she was super-fast.

Today, I received a message from Denny. He says he had a response sitting unsent in his drafts folder. Oops! He described a possible way to fix the slide and is sending me a new one in case the old one can't be salvaged. I'll provide an update once I've had a chance to try his instructions out.

I'd still love to hear from anyone who has had a zipper replaced though. i.e. Where they had it done, etc.. Even if this Talon zipper is salvageable I may still have it replaced.

 

[ton312]

Agreed...check your spam folder...Given the time difference a day or two or even three is acceptable. I've never had an inquiry go unanswered from Aero.

 

[ton312]

I did receive one response from Christine saying Denny would contact me but, until today, that's the only response I've received. I fired several emails back and forth with Holly while I was ordering the jacket, and she was super-fast.

Today, I received a message from Denny. He says he had a response sitting unsent in his drafts folder. Oops! He described a possible way to fix the slide and is sending me a new one in case the old one can't be salvaged. I'll provide an update once I've had a chance to try his instructions out.

I'd still love to hear from anyone who has had a zipper replaced though. i.e. Where they had it done, etc.. Even if this Talon zipper is salvageable I may still have it replaced.

OOPs! We tied...I had a # 10 Lenzip put on my Aero bike jacket. Done through a local tailor here in Chicago. Not an option for you but there are places you could ship the jacket. Try Great Leather...they are located in Central Illinois and have fast turn around times and reasonable prices.

 

[ButteMT61]

I literally found an email in my "junk" folder yesterday from a jacket vendor re a question. Was bummed 'cause I thought they blew me off. Nope, techo-loggy at work. Always check that before you hit someone

 

[BobJ]

I had my Talon zipper fail after only a few months of almost daily wear. Had Johnson Leather of San Francisco replace it with a YKK #10 - easier to start, and flawless performance for the past two years of heavy use. They use a special sewing machine that puts the stitches in the same exact holes as the original stitching, so you can't even tell it was replaced. Carrie at Thurston also has this kind of machine and does this kind of work. It cost me $90.

 

[Smithy]

I had my Talon zipper fail after only a few months of almost daily wear. Had Johnson Leather of San Francisco replace it with a YKK #10 - easier to start, and flawless performance for the past two years of heavy use. They use a special sewing machine that puts the stitches in the same exact holes as the original stitching, so you can't even tell it was replaced. Carrie at Thurston also has this kind of machine and does this kind of work. It cost me $90.

I used to be a bit adverse to YKK on leather jackets but I got a Wested jacket last year with a number 8 in antiqued brass and which has a very different shaped puller from normal YKKs, it's slightly Talon-ish with an oblong cut out. Initially I thought I'll change the zipper when I got a chance but it's grown on me over the last couple of weeks since getting the jacket out again this spring. Like all YKKs it works like a dream, it's bulletproof in its action and it looks better than other YKKs I've seen or had. I might just keep it on.

 

[ButteMT61]

Funny how you can get to be a tad snobby on this stuff. Used to think the YKK's were the shizzlebiznit, but now the zips are one of the first things I look for and when I see those, I kinda feel yucky inside. May be 100% without merit, but just a change from before TFL/VLJ. Funny hobby.

 

[Dracorex]

It's funny how people view YKK zippers. You'd think they were the worst zipper ever made but when do you actually ever here anybody really complain about the way they work? I actually love them! I know I'm a minority here but a #10 YKK zipper is my favorite. No problems and it never fails.

 

[Monitor]

Why... No, rather, how would they be bad? YKK has been around forever, they're the worlds largest zipper maker and they're producing zippers literally of all kinds. There are ugly, plastic, cheap ones - which all work fine in my experience - but then you have their high end styles that are as good as any. They can make perfect replicas of any style and even slap any name you'd want on 'em.

YKK on my Alpinestar jacket is a direct repro of this Talon. Also, best damn zipper ever (both Talon and that YKK)

 

[ton312]

Certainly can't fault the YKK for functionality and I find no fault in appearance. It's a purpose built zipper that likely won't ever fail. Same with all the #10's. Aesthetically speaking a massive zip needs to be fit to the right jacket. A bike jacket should have a #10. All my Vanson jackets have a 10 from various makers and they are of no concern functionally or aesthetically. I would not want a number 10 on my half belt or my bootlegger tho...another detail that falls under personal preference I suppose.

 

[navetsea]

YKK is easy to get everywhere in the world, reliable and very economical in price, funny how people don't want it exactly for all those reasons (cheap and too common) ... air is also free and way too common, should we stop breathing just to be different from the rest..

metal autolock YKK #5 is sturdy enough too for daily use jacket with more slider styles to choose from, I like their wire style one (2nd from the left on top) and use leather tab as puller.

 

[ButteMT61]

Re-read my post. As I said I loved them and didn't have issues, and criticism is wholly jacket snobbery against such a pedestrian zip.
Since you see them in lots of cheap crap, I now repel a bit -again without real merit. Just doesn't feel like a unique piece compared to what we're used to here.

I have a lot of good carhartt gear that is essentially disposable that I love. But not Good Wear, LW, Aero type love.

 

[Seb Lucas]

YKK make a great zip - I've never had a fail in three decades. Can't say the same for other makes. But the cool factor is the issue here; YKK is often looked down on because it's so mainstream. And so much bad clothing (as Butte said) use YKK. Guilt by association.

 

[AdeeC]

I have four jackets with the Japanese Waldes repro grommet zippers which are identical copies of early Talons I believe. Used on Good Wear, Norshor and many high end Japanese jackets like Joe McCoy's etc. These are finicky as expected for an old design but appear very well made, look good and I have had no failures. Appear better quality than some of Talon repro's I have seen. Not sure if they make the Hookless design. Below is a link to their website catalog with lots of vintage designs.

http://waldes.co.jp/waldes2012.pdf

http://waldes.co.jp/open2.html

 

[Maxwells_Daemon]

The thing about YKK is they make both high-end and low-end zippers. Some of their stuff is very cheap, but some of it is pretty much peerless. e.g. The YKK zippers Arc'teryx uses are the best I've seen on anything.

 

[navetsea]

Re-read my post. As I said I loved them and didn't have issues, and criticism is wholly jacket snobbery against such a pedestrian zip.
Since you see them in lots of cheap crap, I now repel a bit -again without real merit. Just doesn't feel like a unique piece compared to what we're used to here.

I have a lot of good carhartt gear that is essentially disposable that I love. But not Good Wear, LW, Aero type love.

no, my post wasn't directed at you/ your post. it is just the atmosphere I got in general, but it is the same feeling with cowhide

 

[Sloan1874]

Hookless for the win!

 

[Monitor]

no, my post wasn't directed at you/ your post. it is just the atmosphere I got in general, but it is the same feeling with cowhide

That toned down a bit though after a certain scandal. XD

 

[heron163]

one thing that helps is ensuring the zipper is lubricated - I use a wax intended for wetsuit zippers but I suppose that plain paraffin would do. I have a NOS Crown on my latest aero and I would be depressed if it fails. Carefully applying the wax and working it in through the teeth has definitely decreased the resistance on the pull.

 

[the loco]

I have an AL Roadster with a #5 Talon. It was designed to be tucked in, so it's hardly visible when zipped. I guess for wind protection.

The problem is that it's difficult to zip with gloves. It's definitely not as sturdy as #10 Talon I have on a Schott's, but #10's from Ideal and YKK are almost as good.

Not sure if the Roadster would look the same with a bigger zipper and it would leave some wind in.

On the other hand, the #5 Talon from my Aero M422a is very easy to zip. Because it's not tucked in, as it has a wind flap under the zipper.