Should You Wear Team Kits?

[Aristarchus]

While I don't wear a team kit, or even so much as a team jersey, I don't think it is a big deal. With that said, I did get a bit of a chuckle last year when I was riding on a recreational path here and saw a guy in a full HTC-Columbia (when it was still Columbia) kit...head to toe. He was hunched awkwardly over his clip-on aero bars, flying down the pathway at all of 20-25 kph.

 

[danjo007]

while you "moral kings" laugh at the guy in his team-kit.. that very guy is laughing at you in your plain boring cheap looking drab kit.. look sh!t - are sh!t.

 

[La Pandera]

I own an Euskadi kit that I think is from one of their older cyclocross teams, in the colors of the Basque flag. Hi visibility for city riding. Being a huge fan of the Basque riders this is one of my favorite kits.

I also have a Communidad Valenciana Kelme kit, the one in blue with the green shoulders made by Nalini. Excellent bibs, some of the most comfortable that I've worn.

I've also got an Oktos jersey. They were a pro-continental team from maybe 5 years or more back.

Lastly a Bahati Foundation jersey. Our club cosponsors a 5 day mountain camp every April and Bahati participated. Part of the proceeds from contributions to event went to his foundation and I got a chance to ride with him (for the brief moment that I could keep up). Our club also had the opportunity to hang out with him and eat lunch (southern catfish!). I admired his team's kit and at the time when we asked when it was going to be available he wasn't certain when, but the cost he stated was a bit out of my meager pocket's range. Eventually the jersey was offered online (Performance/Nashbar), their made by Louis Garneau.

Ultimately wear what you want. If someone has issues with it, that's their problem not yours. Just ride with respect for others on the road and enjoy the incomparable experience of being out there on your bike.

 

[Trevor FCR]

I'm going to say this again, if you are a pro or are on some semi-pro team or such, then you probably should wear your own team's kit. If you're a recreational rider, amateur, enthusiast/fan, then yeah, by all means, feel comfortable wearing/supporting a team. The only slight exception to not wearing a team kit is if you're in a race. Then you might want to go kinda "neutral."

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

The only two kits I'd wear are Euskaltel or Movistar, the latter in Tondo's honor.

 

[nowhereman]

So, I'm wondering. Can I wear driving gloves and an ascot along with goggles when I go for a drive in my Smart car cabriolet? Or would that be too pretentious, and should I look forward to ridicule if I ventured on the road in my favorite garb?

 

[Moose McKnuckles]

How about that Nemiec guy from Lampre? He could surprise tomorrow.

 

[Tuarts]

I would have scuttled off with my tail between my legs too. Someone with a bit more about them would have gone up and got their signatures all over his top and made a small fortune on Ebay.

I spose that's why I don't wear team kits. I don't want to appear to be trying to belong to something I don't.

LMAO.

I would have been nervous as **** but would have probably cracked a smile and tried to talk to them. Depends how they were looking at him. Ebay idea sound sway to shrewd for me.

Anyway, I'm not a pretentious *** and my club is generally quite good, they don't mind what people wear. Fwiw, I like to buy the Aussie Pro teams wear, however much it makes my wallet cry because I like to think I'm supporting the teams, same as if I buy a football club jersey. Really, that's all it is...

 

[Buffalo Soldier]

How about that Nemiec guy from Lampre? He could surprise tomorrow.

By wearing his team kit?

 

[Tangled Tango]

I'm going to say this again, if you are a pro or are on some semi-pro team or such, then you probably should wear your own team's kit. If you're a recreational rider, amateur, enthusiast/fan, then yeah, by all means, feel comfortable wearing/supporting a team. The only slight exception to not wearing a team kit is if you're in a race. Then you might want to go kinda "neutral."

I´m glad to see this level headed post. I remember racing on a team and most of the guys made fun of anyone wearing team colors. I never understood their mirth. Living in Spain now, I see all team colors, worn by all ages, even cyclist in their 60s & 70s. They love the sport, have their favorite cyclists and teams and are proud to have those colors on their back. If that bothers someone, they have the problem, not those who are enjoying their ride, their heros ect.

 

[Tuarts]

Just a question but is this an anglophone cycling thing or is this a contentious issue for Euro cycling fans as well?

 

[Stingray34]

Probably the most persuasive and topical reason not to wear rainbow stripes anywhere on your kit or bike: presently, the colours of the UCI are the colours of corruption.

 

[Stingray34]

Just a question but is this an anglophone cycling thing or is this a contentious issue for Euro cycling fans as well?

Good observation. In my limited experience, continental europeans aren't anywhere near as hung up on the issue.

 

[Garrigou]

Riding in France for a living, I'd be very confident that, of the Europeans, the French & Spanish (at least) really don't care at all about who wears what. Some might try for the full Euro-Pro look; some wear the most achingly garish 80s/90s lycra; my 64-year old & 45% body-fat neighbour wears his full Liquigas kit without a hint of irony. They just love to ride.
At a cyclosportive I rode in the Pyrenees on Sunday, six former Tour winners took part (Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, Delgado, Thevenet & Walkowiak). Woulda been great to see some of the "What gives you the right to wear Yellow?" mob (many of whom wouldn't even recognise Delgado, Thevenet & Walkowiak) spouting their pompous opinions and getting a deadpan "I won it the hard way in '56/'75/'77/'88" (as applicable) from any of those great champions.

 

[Stingray34]

Riding in France for a living, I'd be very confident that, of the Europeans, the French & Spanish (at least) really don't care at all about who wears what. Some might try for the full Euro-Pro look; some wear the most achingly garish 80s/90s lycra; my 64-year old & 45% body-fat neighbour wears his full Liquigas kit without a hint of irony. They just love to ride.
At a cyclosportive I rode in the Pyrenees on Sunday, six former Tour winners took part (Merckx, Hinault, Indurain, Delgado, Thevenet & Walkowiak). Woulda been great to see some of the "What gives you the right to wear Yellow?" mob (many of whom wouldn't even recognise Delgado, Thevenet & Walkowiak) spouting their pompous opinions and getting a deadpan "I won it the hard way in '56/'75/'77/'88" (as applicable) from any of those great champions.

Wow, that's 19 Tours shared among those guys. The sportif wasn't La Look, by any chance?

 

[bocubux]

Here on Hawaii I found that you get more respect from motorists if wearing a pro rather than a blank jersey. I ride on suburban and country roads. When I wear a blank jersey, motorists' attitude seem to be "get off the road" and pass by closely. But when I wear a not too gaudy pro jersey, motorists seem to show a little more respect and give me more leeway. I ride at a fairly moderate pace, respect the road and traffic. So in my case it's beneficial to wear a pro jersey. I can't keep up with the latest kits and only wear the jersey without the complementary shorts. That appears a little too gaudy. Besides, everyone in Hawaii knows that there are no professional cycling teams here when they see a fully decked out rider. Though there's no shortage of them. Not saying there's anything wrong with that either.

 

[Garrigou]

Wow, that's 19 Tours shared among those guys. The sportif wasn't La Look, by any chance?

No, it was a brand new Pyrenean event, "La Roue d'Or des Pyrenees". They have their own Facebook page with some great snaps of the six Tour winners - in lycra on the start line (not so flattering for Eddy these days ) and afterwards when they mingled with the amateurs & hosted a great Q&A session.

 

[Magic Spanner]

Join a club and wear the kit.

Replica football shirts (UK reference) look awful and IMO so do replica cycling kits.

 

[Machu Picchu]

Join a club and wear the kit.

Replica football shirts (UK reference) look awful and IMO so do replica cycling kits.

Club kits look better than replica cycling kits ?_?

People wear club kits cause a) your part of the club and wish to show it; and b) you need something to wear.

People wear team kits cause a) their a fan of team / the sport of cycling and wish to show it; and b) they need something to wear.

don't see a problem there

 

[Archibald]

People wear team kits cause a) their a fan of team / the sport of cycling and wish to show it; and b) they need something to wear.

c) may be a social rider, not be a member of a club

 

[Cobblestoned]

Still looking for this for my collection. That's just awesome.
Any hints or links ?

 

[SteveT]

Still looking for this for my collection. That's just awesome.
Any hints or links ?

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/Vintage-ANC-Halfords-cycling-jersey-1980s-/250815583985

 

[SteveT]

Personally I prefer pro team jerseys for whatever reason.
They just look better in my opinion, it has nothing to do with the team and all to do with the colour / logo combinations. Some I like, some i don't.
I prefer to wear them when I am out training.
I don't wear any other matching kit, sticking with black shorts or legs as I think full team kit is a bit much and I am not pretending to be a pro.
I will also wear club / team kit if it looks good, some club kits look pretty awful.

I would never wear a TDF yellow, Polka Dot, Giro pink, World Champion stripes etc etc. but that is just my choice and I would not mind if others do.

In a race you should wear a club / team jersey or if you are not in a team then some neutral kit. Young kids may be an exception I guess if it encourages them to race.

Those that

 

[leftover pie]

i absolutely LOVE the new Katusha Moldova champion top, hoping to pick one up soon to add to the collection

 

[gregod]

i need advice. like many of you, i prefer not to wear pro team kits. i don't care if others do, but i kind of feel they must be earned; like the l'arc en ciel and giro, tour and vuelta jerseys.

a few months, i got a box of new spring/summer kit from my club. i got four sets of everything: jerseys, bibs, socks, gloves, hats; plus a wind gilet, a windbreaker, a set of arm warmers and knee warmers, and TT suit. so, i am not bereft of things to wear. about two months ago, a girlfriend of mine out-of-the-blue gave me a set of leopard-trek gear: bibs, socks, jersey, gloves, hat and arm warmers. i was pretty chuffed and thanked her profusely because of all of the women i know, most just barely tolerate my passion for cycling or actively ignore it. she also isn't particularly interested in sport, but wanted to do something nice for me, i think.

the problem is this. i don't ride a trek and am not a fan of the shreks. i admire cancellara, but think the way he engineered his transfer was pretty low class. she chose it because she liked the design. i do, too. i have worn the kit on a couple of solo rides, but had mixed feelings. i loved the fact that she gave it to me, but felt weird riding in another team's kit.

what would you do?