The Gaitor boot or Bellows, keeps water and dirt from entering the drawtube.

If it’s damaged or split, this can lead to, excessive wear and eventually siezing of the drawtube itself, which can lead to a reduction in braking efficiency or even loss of braking completely.

Regular servicing can ensure, that all the components are greased and moving freely, the owner themselves can ensure that splits and tears are repaired quickly, minimising potentially expensive replacements.