Should You Wear Team Kits?

[Archibald]

Like i said, Man Up. Wear what you want. You shouldn't need anybody's opinion on what you should and shouldn't wear. You should wear what you like. With all due respect, Can't you see how silly it sounds to ask just how "classic" jerseys are defined? And what gives those that define that category the authority? If you can't see that. There's no need for further discussion between you and I on this matter. Unless of course you want to put in the last word.

think about it - I mention I have a certain jersey... in what way does this make you think I don't wear it?
do you honestly think I'd purchase a jersey and then not wear it?
so can you see how silly your "Man up" bravado bullsh*t sounds?
no need for futher discussion? There shouldn't have been your discussion in the first place...
"put brain in gear before puting your mouth in motion"

Absolutely nothing wrong with asking folks for their thoughts on what they believe makes a jersey classic/vintage

 

[VeloEcosse]

Wear WTF you like

Another very famous and long topic.

I think that you should wear what you feel is right. I don't personally wear team kit or UCI Champions jerseys but thats a personal choice just like my mate who always wears FDJ kit and has several sets from supporting them over the years. I have a preference for my club colours as I have earned them over the years due to my patronage, free time and participation in leagues/crits.

If someone wants to blow 5,000+ beans on a pro tour replica bike. Knock yourself out! I wouldn't personally but it doesn't mean I wouldn't ride with them or compliment them on having a top notch steed. I would however, have a little chuckle if I saw them struggling up a cat 5 on that bike!

The very popular sportive events are now the breeding gorund for this sort of enthusiasm but I reckon that if it helps spread the word about cycling as a sport then more power to them. Cycling has got me through some tough times and I hope it would do the same for others.

We can't afford to be elitist nor provincial in our behaviour towards newbies or guys who just openly support their preferred rider/team.

 

[Bala Verde]

Some team kits are actually really, really cheap. I bought one after an edition of P-R, one that was heavily discounted because it was from a year before.

Spent 10$euros+25euros= 35euros.

 

[Big GMaC]

Define "average" roadie!

I wouldn't have been caught dead wearing the kit of another team, pre-suspension, but now that I'm back riding for fun, the only kits I own are Vermarc pro-team kits. In fact, I just took a quick inventory of what I have, and it is truly all Vermarc (at least what's in circulation), and represents Lotto, Quick Step, Milram, Landbouwkrediet, and Topsport. I have two different Belgian champion's sets (2x QS, 1x Lotto), two versions of Milram's German champ strip, and a Bettini Quick Step world champ outfit. And you know what - I love wearing this stuff and could give a f*ck what anyone thinks or says to me. Solid colors are boring, most local team strip or bike shop kit is not visually appealing (that's a broad generality, I know) and it's not like I'm trying to pass myself off as Bettini. Why wear this stuff? Because it looks good, it's super-high quality, and it's fun.

I've gotten many of them from a Dutchman living in New Zealand. Check it out: Vermarc pro team kits for free (almost).

You can also see many, many cool national champion strips here:
http://is.gd/d9x22

btw: I just watched "Back from my ride" and only now raised myself off of the floor, where I was dying with laughter.

The thing is Joe, you could probably stomp on most people even if they were looking at your kit funny...

That Tommeke Tommeke Tommeke kit.... Damn.... But its just so fricking expensive!

 

[craig1985]

Saw somebody the other day wearing a Cervelo kit, but then again he was riding a Cervelo (waiting for 53x11's wrath to incur in 5..4..3).

 

[Major Taylor]

I won’t pay to advertise any of those companies. I have a Mapei jersey the team gave us for a charity tri, which I wear. Otherwise no way

On the other hand I have two BP jerseys from the MS 150 in Amarillo which are green and very cool that I wear with pride. Mementos from living in Texas

 

[craig1985]

I'm wearing the kit of my LBS, but then again I will be racing for them. I usually wear gloves, socks, cycling cap to match the kit that I'm wearing (my club colours are red and black, so I pick colours to match them).

 

[53 x 11]

Saw somebody the other day wearing a Cervelo kit, but then again he was riding a Cervelo (waiting for 53x11's wrath to incur in 5..4..3).

..12459, 12460, 12461..........Guy was obviously a jack a*se.

I was on a training ride once, I was waiting around and a guy in full CSC kit, helmet gloves ect, a cervelo with zipps rocked up. I was thinking who is is this poser. I then realised it was Luke Roberts who had just signed with CSC!

Anyway. No team kits! Rules are rules.

 

[Night Rider]

I'd almost be willing to make an exception for a Cervelo rider wearing a Cervelo kit, lines are slightly blurred there between riding a manufacturers kit and a pro kit. Mind why the hell would you want to buy a Cervelo.

 

[slowoldman]

Another team kit story.....

Tony Cruz was riding with a friend of mine up on the Azusa Canyon/GMR loop when he suffered a flat tire. Pat lent him a tube and they rode to the local Sport Chalet in Glendora. After Tony buys the tube and starts to walk away the smart a** behind the counter comments while smirking, "Say hi to Lance for me."
Pat looks at the counter/bike department guy and says, "He rides with Lance all the time he IS on U.S. Postal." Bike counter guy turns red and mumbles to himself as he walks away.

 

[SirLes]

Saw somebody the other day wearing a Cervelo kit, but then again he was riding a Cervelo (waiting for 53x11's wrath to incur in 5..4..3).

Clearly I'm not the only one then! I love that kit, think it looks georgeous- paricularly the white one from last year.

And it's obvious I'm jack a*se as well I see.

Perhaps now is not the time to let on that my friends and I like to get all dressed up in replica kit and then recreate famous races and incidents.

 

[SimonC]

I ride in the kit of the club that I ride for as a way of advertising the club and hopefully getting new members. I used to buy team kit but with it constantly changing each year it becomes an expensive pain in the **** to keep updating.

 

[alberto.legstrong]

Clearly I'm not the only one then! I love that kit, think it looks georgeous- paricularly the white one from last year.

And it's obvious I'm jack a*se as well I see.

Perhaps now is not the time to let on that my friends and I like to get all dressed up in replica kit and then recreate famous races and incidents.

....readers tip toe away into another thread, studiously avoiding eye contact....

 

[AnythingButKestrel]

Team kit is fine if ...

a) You actually ride on the team

b) You have the mojo to back it up

As for the locals here riding around in the local race team kit with their beer bellies balanced on the top tube and their noses stuck in the air, all I can say is that personally I'd try to be less visible if I was continually getting my *** kicked by girl scouts on Walmart specials. So sad...

 

[SlantParallelogram]

I completely agree with the people who say you should only wear the team stuff if you are actually on the team. When you ride with the local racers they are usually either wearing the jersey from their local team that they are on, or a plain jersey.

Wearing the Pro stuff seems reserved for Freds who have 5000 dollar bikes and don't race.

 

[runny hunny]

Only wear team kit if you are on the team ? Hokum ! Wear whatever you feel comfy with ! Following this logic you can only wear gap if you work there ?

Honestly, this is the sort of hide bound cr8p trotted out by cyclists once they have gone native. Imagine - a *** hot youngster turns up at a club night and kicks everyone's *** but is cold shouldered 'cos he has a trade team on ?

Does it really matter wot anyone wears ? I'm worried more about my form compared to others as opposed to whoever they might be " advertising "

One more thing concerning advertising by proxy if wearing a trade team jesery - i'm in the uk, if i wear a astana or a radio shack or even a saxo bank jersey would most punters who saw the jerseys honestly recognise the brands and spend accordingly ? Probably not so i can't be accused of effectively hawking a product for gain.

 

[TopCarbon]

never have, never will.

Definitely a poser move.

I don't like anybody that much to emulate anyways.

 

[SlantParallelogram]

Definitely a poser move.

Exactly!

That is the perfect way to describe what I was thinking.

 

[craig1985]

I once did a race and some guy turned up wearing a 1999 USPS Yellow Jersey. TBF to him, he did win the race.

 

[TopCarbon]

I once did a race and some guy turned up wearing a 1999 USPS Yellow Jersey. TBF to him, he did win the race.

Lance doesn't count

 

[SlantParallelogram]

I once did a race and some guy turned up wearing a 1999 USPS Yellow Jersey. TBF to him, he did win the race.

Don't feel bad, you could have won too if you had the Pharmstrong team training you.

 

[BroDeal]

Only wear team kit if you are on the team ? Hokum ! Wear whatever you feel comfy with ! Following this logic you can only wear gap if you work there ?

Honestly, this is the sort of hide bound cr8p trotted out by cyclists once they have gone native. Imagine - a *** hot youngster turns up at a club night and kicks everyone's *** but is cold shouldered 'cos he has a trade team on ?

Does it really matter wot anyone wears ? I'm worried more about my form compared to others as opposed to whoever they might be " advertising "

One more thing concerning advertising by proxy if wearing a trade team jesery - i'm in the uk, if i wear a astana or a radio shack or even a saxo bank jersey would most punters who saw the jerseys honestly recognise the brands and spend accordingly ? Probably not so i can't be accused of effectively hawking a product for gain.

You have to realize that there are a lot of road cyclists who think so highly of their recreational efforts at cycling that they actually think that if they wore a pro team's kit that people might mistake them for a pro. This attitude does not seem to go away even when they gain twenty pounds and are way too old to race professionally.

I say smoke 'em if you got 'em.

 

[jayfro72]

Wear what ever you want. I wear my Celtics jersey to the grocery store. I love the Celtics. There would be no pro-team jerseys if people did not buy them and wear them. And by pro-team, I don't mean the "Birmingham Cyclewerks Flyers" .If you are presumptuous enough to look down on someone who wears a pro-team kit because you think you are on some level cooler than they are, then you really SUCK on a completely different level. Get over yourselves.

 

[SlantParallelogram]

Wear what ever you want. I wear my Celtics jersey to the grocery store. I love the Celtics. There would be no pro-team jerseys if people did not buy them and wear them. And by pro-team, I don't mean the "Birmingham Cyclewerks Flyers" .If you are presumptuous enough to look down on someone who wears a pro-team kit because you think you are on some level cooler than they are, then you really SUCK on a completely different level. Get over yourselves.

As a general rule Pro Team stuff is only worn by Freds who ride expensive bikes slowly and are too afraid to race. It really is that simple. If you don't understand, then you are probably a Fred and don't realize it.

 

[Archibald]

Saw somebody the other day wearing a Cervelo kit, but then again he was riding a Cervelo (waiting for 53x11's wrath to incur in 5..4..3).

saw a dude on Kensington High st in full cervelo kit yesterday, but was on a specialized roubaix.
Only those in the know would even notice this, so does it really matter?

I joined in with the Dynamo crew at Richmond Park and there were a few team kits - a full astana on a bianchi, a saxo jersey and some others. Saw plenty of team kits out and about in the park - even a radioshack jersey on a podgy fellow.