4 bands on the plane, first 2 crossed, second 2 front to back.

I keep using them until they start to visibly dry out, its easy to tell as when you stretch them they go lumpy instead of smooth. I also replace if i see any damage, doing this i get an easy year out of a set assuming they don't get ripped by something


Something to think about though, i've noticed some fuels attack the rubber big time and they start flaking a week after their first use, the fuel i use seems to be pretty kind to the rubber