Should You Wear Team Kits?

[jayfro72]

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.

Luckily for me I do not follow "general rules" per mandate of SlantParallelogram. I don't and have never owned a pro team jersey but if someone does I could absolutely care less. But you can keep allowing peer pressure and the fear of not being cool to dictate your life. My guess is you are probably pretty insecure.

 

[SlantParallelogram]

Luckily for me I do not follow "general rules" per mandate of SlantParallelogram. I don't and have never owned a pro team jersey but if someone does I could absolutely care less. But you can keep allowing peer pressure and the fear of not being cool to dictate your life. My guess is you are probably pretty insecure.

Peer pressure is how we keep the losers from reproducing!

 

[durianrider]

Personally, I only wear kit for the team Im currently racing with. But I aint no gripe with crew that do otherwise. Sometimes for kicks I go out in shorts and running singlet and blow the doors off the posers that snob you cos your not in the right 'kit'. Its funny watching their faces as you drop em on hills riding with no hands. Priceless. I just ordered some sunglasses with a camera in em and will make some fun youtubes about it. Stay tuned.

End of the day, if your on a bike hav'n fun, thats all that matters.

 

[craig1985]

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.

I don't give a toss what people wear. The Cervelo bit was that 53's disapproval of Cervelo's, for reasons I'm not sure about.

 

[53 x 11]

I don't give a toss what people wear. The Cervelo bit was that 53's disapproval of Cervelo's, for reasons I'm not sure about.

They grow out of fat lawyers buts.

Would you wan that bike?

 

[Big GMaC]

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.

I've seen that radioshack guy I think. It was laughing for about 5 minutes as it totally enforced the stereotype

 

[Archibald]

I don't give a toss what people wear. The Cervelo bit was that 53's disapproval of Cervelo's, for reasons I'm not sure about.

I'll take a punt that 53 is in the US, which will explain the disapproval of Cervelo's. A couple of guys I rode Roubaix with earlier this year explained how for some reason you're not a "real" cyclist in the US unless you ride a carbon bike preferably cervelo. This is a perpetuated mindset of overpaid doctors n lawyers, bankers, etc... who put their cervelo's on bike racks on the back of their porsches or lamborghini's...

but back to the guy in the cervelo kit on kensington high rd - the only thing that bothered me about him was... nothing. I was just happy to see that he was waiting for the lights to go green - unlike the woman who went straight through the crossing on her pashley and nearly collected a woman with a pram...

 

[VeloEcosse]

Perfect

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.

It must be really comforting and warm to know that you are perfect in every way. I wish I had that feeling running through my body 24 hours a day.

I do also hope that so called "Freds" are not on this forum to read some of the abject drivel that spews from the keyboards of the socially inept or spineless who hide behind the veil of these forums. If you feel that strongly go out at the weekends and actively canvass all of these people you sneer at and see how interested they are in your point of view?

I only joined here last week and as a newbie to this particular forum I must say that it is quite clear there are some people on here who do care about the sport of cycling at all levels. However, sadly there are some who neither care nor are interested in developing the sport and pasttime of cycling from an elitist enclave into a world wide sport that is accessible for everyone and provides people with a feeling that there is more to life than TV.

Is it jealousy that drives the mean streak in you? Jealous of people who can afford to ride expensive bikes and that may not need them. I believe the saying is "all the gear and no idea". I would suggest that you might want to address your petty jealousy's to the bike shops that sell these over inflated kevlar/carbon/titanium shivs to certain people who may not yet have acquired the inside knowledge required to make a wise first purchase.

OR

Is it because the growth of your own dreams have been stunted in some way that you feel knowone else should be aloud to enjoy the fruits of their labours?

Either way it is quite clear that you are a very small and bitter person who sees themself as some kind of crusader for "café society cyclists" that sit and sneer at those who support their favourite riders or teams. I happen to ride with one of the biggest and most successful clubs in Ireland and do everything I can to ensure "newbies" are encouraged. They are the very lifeblood of our sport. I myself, do not wear pro-team gear and would rather wear my clubs colours when out for a spin or racing. The simple reason being that I have a loyalty and sense of pride in my clubs achievements. But I would not pillory someone for turning up to a weekend spin with Astana or BMC gear.

I wonder what club you ride with or what national association you have paid membership to for the last twenty years? What have you put into the sport of cycling against what you have actually taken out? I would like to understand what your club mates/National Union think of you're rather provincial attitude and your complete snobbery?

From your statements you give the impression that you are a very fast, successful rider with accolades and awards piled high. Lets hear about the credibility that gives you the right to pillory others in such a way. I am all ears! By your measure the question that begs here is: If I have won more criteriums, sprints, TT's and competitions across the many disciplines of cycling, than you. Does that give me the right to jump all over your ambitions, endeavours, the expense of your bike(s) or how many vintage jerseys you wear to show off the fact you have been cycling for years? (oops I think I spot a prejudice of my own!)

I am sure the silence won't be deafening as you won't be able to resist the lure of attempting to belittle someone else in the very brave and outspoken fashion you adopt.

Opinions are like @rseholes...everybody has one and I have just expressed mine.

 

[53 x 11]

It must be really comforting and warm to know that you are perfect in every way. I wish I had that feeling running through my body 24 hours a day.

[SNIP RANT, RANT, RANT]

Opinions are like @rseholes...everybody has one and I have just expressed mine.

Why is it when anyone wants to come on this forum attack it and its members they always start their posts with "I only joined here last week and as a newbie to this particular forum I must say"?

Strange.

 

[laziali]

Wow, so much passion out there. SlantP must surely be taking the ****

I say each to their own, team kit, no team kit, naked whatever. A few I wouldn't personally wear follow, but hey, if you want to, then go for it:

- Full Postal, Discovery, Shack
- Footon
- That pink, green brown etc one from the mid-90s worn by a French team promoting some sort of children's biscuit [edit: Chazal - thank you L'arriviste]
- Le Groupment

 

[sherer]

i don;t know why cycling gets so hung up on this issue. Wear whatever the hell you like. If you support a team or rider and want to look like your hero then nothing wrong in that.

If it gets people into the sport and gets them out on the road then all is fine with me

 

[SlantParallelogram]

Hey I'm not stopping anybody from wearing whatever they want.

However, everybody else will think you are a Fred and my want to hammer you a bit because of it.

Let me give you an example. I have been on training rides where some guy will show up in a pro jersey. Then one of the regulars on the ride will whisper, "hey lets see how fast Jean Francois Bernard over there can really go." Then 'Jeff' usually gets dropped. (As a side note, I always liked Jean Francois Bernard when he was racing.)

So wear whatever you want. Be prepared for the consequences.

 

[SirLes]

Hey I'm not stopping anybody from wearing whatever they want.

However, everybody else will think you are a Fred and my want to hammer you a bit because of it.

Let me give you an example. I have been on training rides where some guy will show up in a pro jersey. Then one of the regulars on the ride will whisper, "hey lets see how fast Jean Francois Bernard over there can really go." Then 'Jeff' usually gets dropped. (As a side note, I always liked Jean Francois Bernard when he was racing.)

So wear whatever you want. Be prepared for the consequences.

And then you can all talk about how much fun you had until the bell goes for the end of playtime and you have to class.

 

[old_bram]

Don't see any issue at all with the team jersey out on the road, but agree with the "be prepared" comments that a lot of you guys warn about. It would be nice having the option to support your team, without this attitude. Especially for those of us who are neither the youngest, speediest down the road or club members. (I ride solo - as it's either infrequently to work or when I can escape the family).

I would like to see an option of a plainer, much more toned down version of the teams jersey with maybe just the main colours and smaller logos (badge size) of the main sponsor(s) on the front.

That way I can support a team/rider, and when coffee-breaking alongside other cyclists, maybe give them the impression that "Hey that guy is a cycling fan" instead of "Hey that guy looks a complete tw@t"!

(EDIT: To give myself some credibility I neither ride Cervelo nor Carbon)

 

[sherer]

where I am everyone is very friendly. I went out in ONCE kit and everyone just said how cool the kit was. I was the slowest in the bunch and so instead of riding at the back and getting dropped I got pushed to the front so I could set the pace and ride in a bunch.

Some clubs like having new members

 

[VeloEcosse]

Why is it when anyone wants to come on this forum attack it and its members they always start their posts with "I only joined here last week and as a newbie to this particular forum I must say"?

Strange.

Just as a quick point I was not attacking anyone rather defending others and their right to do what they believe is in their own best interests.

BTW I didn't start my piece with what you have quoted. Just a small point but I feel an important one.

 

[old_bram]

Some clubs like having new members

To be fair I think it would be the same for my local club. (I was re-introduced to cycling a couple of years ago by a good friend who is in that club, lending me his bikes and shoes etc and he keeps inviting me out - their weekend rides are when I have to put my family time in!).

 

[SlantParallelogram]

For the record when I was talking about training rides, I wasn't talking about "club rides" where everybody is friendly and nice.

I am talking about rides where a bunch of Cat 1 and Cat 2 racers, along with some Cat 3s and 4s, will meet up for a training ride. These rides are as fast as a race, and only slightly less serious.

The Cat 1 racers will occasionally race against Pro Tour guys. So they look at people who wear the colors of their enemies as total Freds and the biggest posers.

They are the guys who are going to put the hammer down when they see your fake jersey. Whereas if you were wearing a Jersey from your local team or a plain jersey they might actually help you hang on until the ride really starts flying.

Like I said wear what ever you want. Wear red in the Crip's part of Los Angeles, or wear blue in the Blood's sector. Or wear a Pro Tour jersey while riding with some actual racers...

Be ready for the consequences.

 

[Bobby G]

Wouldn't know about the above as I'm completely inept when it comes to cycling. Been a keen enthusiast for years, but unfortunately i'm just as keen on food. But whenever I've been a member of a club, the other members have never even raised an eyebrow at me in my Gerolsteiner or Rabobank outfits.

Like i say, no idea about what goes on at a higher level, but at club level people haven't yet appeared to be condescending towards me in anyway.

However, I refuse to pay £70-90 for current kit. Outrageous price hike in recent years. Haven't bought a new kit for a couple of years now but when i did, last years kits for £20! Can't go wrong.

 

[TopCarbon]

But whenever I've been a member of a club, the other members have never even raised an eyebrow at me in my Gerolsteiner or Rabobank outfits.

Like i say, no idea about what goes on at a higher level, but at club level people haven't yet appeared to be condescending towards me in anyway.

.

I don't think they would tell you to your face.

 

[Bobby G]

That's not what I'm implying. I haven't been purposely dropped or sneered at. I think it's pretty obvious to notice when someone has an issue with you and likewise it's pretty obvious when they're accommodating. I don't think I'm Menchov or whatever just because I'm wearing a Rabo jersey, simply I like the team, like the jersey and most importantly like cycling.

 

[Rupert]

Never Mind the Rules

i don;t know why cycling gets so hung up on this issue. Wear whatever the hell you like. If you support a team or rider and want to look like your hero then nothing wrong in that.

If it gets people into the sport and gets them out on the road then all is fine with me

Right on. Same for all the "style man" crap and "rules" that dictate how to be cool. Never mind all that, just ride your bike and let your legs do the talking. Beisdes, it's fun to (when occasionally able) "dust" people who look way cooler than yourself.

 

[Rupert]

Carbon...ptooehy

... for some reason you're not a "real" cyclist in the US unless you ride a carbon bike preferably cervelo. This is a perpetuated mindset of overpaid doctors n lawyers, bankers, etc... who put their cervelo's on bike racks on the back of their porsches or lamborghini's......

One of my favorite moments was when (at a stop while climbing to Big Bear) a guy demanded to know if "that" was "my bike" and then informed me (jokingly) that "big guys on steel bikes are not allowed to pass little guys on carbon bikes."

 

[Cervelo77]

There are team kits and then there are national champion team kits.

Of the latter I saw a Saxo Luxembourg champions jersey out in the hills last week-end and had to cringe. Team kit I can stand, champions kit should be earned.

 

[SlantParallelogram]

The real thing to take away from this whole argument is this.

Join a local cycling team, that way you can get a reasonably cool looking jersey to wear. It probably won't look as nice as a pro jersey, but it will be nicer to look at than a plain jersey. The other advantage is that local team jersey will not cause you to look like a Fred who has never done any racing.