Should You Wear Team Kits?

[craig1985]

I'm so used to wearing a cycling cap, that it feels weird that I'm not wearing one. I like wearing if I'm out and it's raining.

 

[simo1733]

you shouldn't wear a team polti kit, because it makes small children cry

 

[Leopejo]

Now, they wear the kit religiously. Everytime you seem them, they are dressed to the hilt. Socks, shoecovers (seriously, is there any argument to EVER wear shoe covers??), gloves, windvest, even cap under their helmet.

And yet they laugh when they see somebody wearing a 'team kit'. "Look at that dork!"

1) usually they get their good quality kit for cheap, thanks to the club's sponsors
2) they might not be required to wear it all the time, but the sponsors (see point 1 above) would prefer so.

 

[Hawkwood]

Just got this

I bought the Mapei GB long-sleeve jersey back in the 1990s and still wear it, I was a bit surprised to learn that it's now `retro'. I wear it with Festina bib-tights for the full 1990stastic effect! The latter are quite restrained when compared with the Mapei jersey.

 

[hektoren]

I don't care either way about the choices other people make, but I've never worn a team replica-kit in my life, and wouldn't dream of it, as the padding in most replica-kits are ***. If you do serious mileage, invest in a complete Assos-kit, and you'll understand what riding comfort is all about. It's expensive, but don't look at it as textiles. It's part of your equipment. I'd rather ride an Ultegra/SRAM-Rival bike with Assos clothing than a Dura-Ace or SRAM Red-spec'ed bike in any replica kit.

 

[Polyarmour]

Socks, shoecovers (seriously, is there any argument to EVER wear shoe covers??)

I'll give you two good reasons

1/. I wear shoecovers in the wet. I cycle to work, I don't want to put wet shoes on to cycle home.

2/. I hate getting cold feet in winter, shoecovers keep your feet warm. If your feet and hands are warm the weather doesn't matter too much.

 

[Polyarmour]

Most of the comments here have been about Pro Team kits. What about national team kits. For example I really like the Italian Mendrisio kit? What are your views about wearing these kits?

 

[NickBVK]

At the World Champs the only other team kit aside from the Australian one for sale was the Irish won - and look at it. One of the best kits ever.

I caught Nicolas Roche's bottle - what are peoples thoughts on ProTour bottles!

 

[BroDeal]

I caught Nicolas Roche's bottle - what are peoples thoughts on ProTour bottles!

You may have gotten it for a good price and support the rider or team and the sponsor may love to see people displaying it, but you would be a total poseur to use it. Instead you should join a club and use their shoddy bottles with an amateurish graphic design on them.

 

[blaxland]

I have about 30 to 40 Team kits from over the last two decades and only hang them up on my wall...The only Team kit i where while out training is my club colours.(also my shop kit-good for advertising)when racing i must where my club kit.

 

[Archibald]

Most of the comments here have been about Pro Team kits. What about national team kits. For example I really like the Italian Mendrisio kit? What are your views about wearing these kits?

I have the Australian 2006 one (Davitamon Lotto).
I commute in it as the bright yellow sleeves aren't hidden by my vest or backpack. Although, I do really like the jersey itself, so would recommend Vermac as a brand.
I'm not poncing about pretending i'm a national champion, but I get to be a bit patriotic in a good looking jersey in the foreign city in which I now live...
All Good - even better that here in Europe, no one gives a toss about your kit as long as you're riding...

 

[stainlessguy1]

pro team kits ...championship kits

There are a great many issues regarding this topic .
I suppose in a nutshell , when riding with either pro team kits , or national team or championship jerseys or world championship jerseys , there is a bit of a dilema surrounding the how and why of wearing the jersey .

So breaking it down , A national team jersey or kit , is much like a flag . Its the team flag ( if you will ) that you wear when you represent that country .
Generally you wear it if you make the team or become national champion of the said discipline you competed in .
You wear it for a year or till you have given up your crown the next year or what ever the situation .
The same goes for the world championship jersey .... The honour for that year is evident and it is something you earned . These items are packed back in boxes after the year is up and stored and added to the rest of the trophy case .

When it comes to pro team kits , its a bit different . No matter who you are or how old , the prices ( especially in this area ) are almost the same . So it doesnt matter , whatever you want to ride with and whatever team you support is just as nice as supporting your local club , should you decide to join a club .
There is a bit of caution , always remember that no matter what you decide to wear , you do become a mini ambassador to that team or club . So always do it proud , be polite and ride like a real cyclist .
That means dont become a Hoodlam on 2 wheels because people are always watching and quick to point fingers .
What more can a person say about this ? I mean it all sorts itself out in the hills of the local group rides anyway .
Cyclists are cyclists ,,, and any cyclist in front has to be reeled in and dropped . Sortof next to sailing , two sailboats crossing a big lake and its a race , always . I think its a guy racer thing .
Have a safe 2011 year in cycling to all . Kits or no kits .
Happy New year Everyone .

 

[VeloFidelis]

You may have gotten it for a good price and support the rider or team and the sponsor may love to see people displaying it, but you would be a total poseur to use it. Instead you should join a club and use their shoddy bottles with an amateurish graphic design on them.

Dude, it's a water bottle... he caught it at a race. How does using it make him a poseur? Wash it out, fill it up, jam it in your cage, and use the crap out of it. And "oh by the way"... it's an interesting conversation piece... nothing more.

As for wearing pro team kit? Personally?... no thanks. Local team or club kit?... if it's good quality... yeah, why not? But, I don't think there is a problem with riders wearing team kit. I think the real poseur is those who pay attention to and have an opinion about that sh!t. It's not that hard to tell who's a pro and who isn't.

 

[Bandit]

Does it really matter?

You pay your money you take your choice, wear what you want when you want don't get caught up with other peoples opinions, Be yourself think for yourself and ride ride ride.

 

[TexPat]

Dude, it's a water bottle... he caught it at a race. How does using it make him a poseur? Wash it out, fill it up, jam it in your cage, and use the crap out of it. And "oh by the way"... it's an interesting conversation piece... nothing more.

As for wearing pro team kit? Personally?... no thanks. Local team or club kit?... if it's good quality... yeah, why not? But, I don't think there is a problem with riders wearing team kit. I think the real poseur is those who pay attention to and have an opinion about that sh!t. It's not that hard to tell who's a pro and who isn't.

Dude, those bottles have plasticisers!

 

[simo1733]

You pay your money you take your choice, wear what you want when you want don't get caught up with other peoples opinions, Be yourself think for yourself and ride ride ride.

wear what ever team kit you want just make sure you at least get the jersey and shorts to co ordinate. If you aren't capable of that then just stick to black shorts.

 

[veganrob]

I don't wear team kits because they are generally poor quality.
However I do have a Santini Giro leader kit that I am dying to wear this year. Gotta put up or shut up wearing that, eh.

 

[BroDeal]

Dude, it's a water bottle... he caught it at a race. How does using it make him a poseur? Wash it out, fill it up, jam it in your cage, and use the crap out of it. And "oh by the way"... it's an interesting conversation piece... nothing more.

Dude, it's sarcasm. Think before you post.

 

[VeloFidelis]

Dude, it's sarcasm. Think before you post.

Really?!! Gee... I would think with all that experience you'd be better at it.

 

[BroDeal]

Really?!! Gee... I would think with all that experience you'd be better at it.

Not my problem if you are too thick to figure out the obvious.

 

[VeloFidelis]

Now, that was sarcasm... right? I mean... as you define it. Just trying to crack the code here.

 

[Polyarmour]

I just bought my first team kit, bib shorts and jersey, $50 from a Chinese website. ISD Continental. It was the least popular one they stocked and I'm beyond caring what the fashion police think. Very happy with the service, size and quality level. I'd rather wear my scratchy, hot, low quality club outfit of course but at $200 each I have trouble justifying buying more than a couple when the Chinese ones are so cheap.

 

[Archibald]

just got given a pair of BMC team bib knicks...
this is probably more to do with making ACF jealous than any kind of fashion statement or dilema - although I have nothing to wear with them and my frame is blue, which will clash terribly!!

 

[Finbouy]

I've got last years cervelo kit that I wear on my 29singleMTB and I think it looks rather cool in black..And Euskatels orange number that I sometimes use on my roadie, but mainly stick to subtle black rapha stuff if I'm honest.

 

[Stingray34]

Absolutely, why wouldn't you?

It's good to look 'bello in selle' and having a coordinated strip helps.

I'm no capitalist, but if a company is brave enough to support cycling I'm willing to wear their name, but only if their kit is nice.

If you think you have to ride like a pro or otherwise earn the right to wear a trade team or champion's jersey, well, aren't you taking things a little too seriously? Then again, cycling is full of nervous type-A's and that kind of anal-retentive thinking is pretty predictable.

It's also a subtle self-congratulation: by refusing to wear such and such, you're putting yourself in an elite category anyway: 'I'm just like them.'

They're just clothes, man. Wear what you like and be nice to each other.