The BOA® Fit System was developed in 2001 to improve the fit and performance of snowboard lacing systems. BOA® micro-adjustable dial and cable fastening systems have since found a place on sports and work footwear, cycling helmets and bags, motorsports gloves and pants, and even as lumbar support adjustment on fishing kayaks.
I own several items that have BOA® dials on them. The ones that get the most use are my Shimano S-Phyre shoes. I gave no thought to the durability of the BOA® dials and cables until the cover of one dial came away in my hand as I was loosening the fastening.
With a bit of super glue, the dial was functional again. A few months later, the entire dial, including the cable reel, separated from its base. This looked like a more complicated repair, so I took the shoe to my LBS, The Bike Artisans. I bought the shoes there. The shop mechanic told me that the dials cannot be replaced because they are stitched into the uppers.
I was disappointed to hear that. The shoes are in good condition.
I assume that after four years of regular use, the plastic within the dial had deteriorated to the point of failure. I convinced Melvin to try super glueing the cable reel back onto its base. He was dubious, but he gave it a go.
The super glue worked. The dial spins and ratchets, tightening and loosening the cable. Melvin told me not to pull up on the dial. This means I have lost the quick-release function, but that is a small price to pay to have usable shoes. This is the shoe. The repaired dial is the one on the strap.
Something bothers me about the irreplaceability of the BOA® dials on my shoes. I don’t know how long the repaired dial will last. The other dials will likely fail. I took a look at the BOA® website. BOA offers a lifetime guarantee. There is even a photograph of a broken dial with the base sewn into the upper.
The on-line support is extensive. Including a Redeem Repair Kit option.
According to the website, I need 5 to 10 minutes, a photo of the broken gear and the gear on hand to identify the parts required. It took less than 10 minutes for me to answer the questions, upload a photograph, and for the system to determine the correct parts for my shoe.
BOA® has just confirmed receipt of my order. A free repair kit with one right-side and one left-side dial should reach me in seven days. The downside is the replacement dials are black.
I can order dials that match the ones on my shoes online from a local supplier. The cost is MYR144 (USD31) for a pair of right-side or left-side dials. I can live with a free black dial.
Update
The warranty replacement dial kit has arrived from BOA®. The blue set is for the left shoe, and the red set is for the right. Included is a small torx screwdriver for the screw that holds the cable reel to the dial base.
The glue repair is still holding. I am ready for when it fails.
Old Roots, New Routes 