Should You Wear Team Kits?

[TourLeTour]

I ride my club gear to race, or anywhere high profile, so I support the club. I don't wear anything that you can win, unless I have won it. But I have no problem with people trying to look as much like their heros as they want. I just don't own any team gear because my heros were Ullrich, the Chicken, and Vino. I wouldn't want to be associated in any way with any of them now, and am glad I never blew my cash on kit I wouldn't wear.

 

[MartinGT]

Have I read this correctly?

i wouldnt wear one.. classic retro shirts if you have them are ok, but current team kits, dunno, bit fanboyish

Fanboyish who is called TeamSkyFans, is it you with the dog "Waggo"?

Anyways, OP. For commuting Ill wear neutral stuff really. Other longer rides at the weekend ill wear one of my team jerseys.

 

[lostincosmos]

I have a Saunier Duval jersey I wear, and I like it. I'm not even half worried that I might me mistaken for a pro, nor do I care if someone scoffs at me as I ride by.

I agree that people on the road in full kit looks kinda, I dunno, dorky. But you know what? Who cares? What does anyone care?

It's like complaining that people have bikes that are overmatched for their abilities. So what? We all do

People wear team kit because it often looks good/better than everyday jerseys, or because they are fans of the team. Good on them, I say. I have my eye on an Euskatel jersey right now myself

 

[yardbirds68]

Do as you like!!!

Pretty much worthless post. I have no problems with people wearing pro jerseys of their favorite team, nor do I have a problem with wearing a kit that doesn't match ( could be they don't have the bucks to buy a complete kit, but buy things that are clearance items ), I do not have a problem with people saying they themselves do not like wear the above stated stuff. But I do have issues with someone trying to set "their" high and mighty standards on everybody else.

Where is the law stated in the Road Bike handbook, that pro kits can only be worn by a rider of a certain skill level? I had a look through my 2010 Cannondale Hi Mod Liquigas manual and I couldn't such a law.

You know as its been stated before on this post, if riding in a pro kit inspires a newbie or someone of lesser skill level to get on their bike and ride, good on them!

Its these "better than thou" of road cyclist who set themselves up as the standard bearer of the holy Bible of the Road Bikers law who are the real posers and Freds of the sport, because through their belittling and bashing of riders that do not conform to "their" way of shallow thinking, that could drive newer or less skillfull riders away from the sport.

Oh yeah, we get to read many better than thou riders mention how they smoked this and that poser/Fred on a climb in their full pro kit riding a replica bike, but we will never dare hear the opposite, of course not, that because everyone who rides in a full pro kit is a poser/Fred. Yeah sure, how many people in this world ride road bike that have bought pro kits or even wear mixed kits, but yet not once has anyone of these keepers of the road bike laws never been smoked by one. Uh huh, sure........and what fantasy world do you live in?????

You know, I wonder what a actual pro rider on BMC, Garmin etc, thinks about
peope who skills are so much less than theirs riding in a pro kit? Do you think Cadel Evans loses sleep at night because he see Mr Joe average road biker wearing a full BMC kit while riding a BMC bicycle?? Is he thinking, "Why, that good for nothing poser/Fred, how dare he!" Actually, I would say compared to Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck, etc. the vast MAJORITY of us all are posers and Freds. So in actual reality of things the guy who is calling a lesser skilled rider a poser in fact is also themself are a poser and Fred........

What about a pro cycling team like Liquigas or Movistar, think they really care about? Is the team mangers blood pressure goes up seeing this?

Its easy to know what the pro team think about it. Just go to the Liquigas or Movistar website and have a look!! Oh my, they sell to the public team kits!!!
How can this be!? What if a poser or a Fred orders a kit!! This breaking of the golden law of road cycling must be stopped!!

I have a great idea. Everybody who is a better than thou cyclist, that smokes posers on a regular basis, should unite and send pertitions to each and every pro cycling teams website, demanding before they unknownigly break the sacred law of road cycling by selling one of their team kits to a poser/Fred, that the buyer must belong to a cycling club or team, and they must have a document showing the riders average watts, how many races won and how many posers they have smoked. Only then can a purcahse be made.

Rubbish.........wear what you want, who cares what other think!! Don't let someone try to set their standards on you. Just go and and ride and have fun doing it!

Don't let the real posers and Freds......the fake supporters of Road Cycling with shallow minds influence what you like and want to do!!

 

[ricross11]

Team Kit

I've been looking for pro team kits and came across this BMC kit, seems like the low price is because of the material used?
http://slickbikes.com/product/2011-bmc-cycling-jerseybibshorts-8599

 

[AngusW]

Yeah I have heaps of trouble with my mum buying me cycling stuff that just does not meet the accepted etiqutte and then getting her nose out of joint when I wont wear it.

I had heaps of trouble trying to explain to her that it was just not on for me to wear a Lucio Hererra Cafe de Colombia replica king of the mountains top when I am 110kg's and there was a reason that the xxxxl was so cheap.

In the end I just gave up and started wearing it to family BBQ's. The fact I am in my 40's doesnt make the situation any easier.

Great post! Thanks for sharing.

I bought Mapei kit back in 2003 but could only get the red Belgian champion shorts which didn't really go with the standard team issue jersey. Fortunately I was not fashion-conscious enough to be bothered by this for a year or so, by which time the LBS had sold out of Mapei shorts that would have matched. I kind of solved this mix and match dilemma by buying a pair of black Mapei Tre-G shorts (not sure what that team rode - MTBs, perhaps?) which almost went with the dark blue jersey and the coloured Mapei cubes matched on both shorts and jersey. It's those Mapei shorts I'm wearing in my avatar.

Anyhoo, I don't wear any team kit now (lost the jersey and the shorts have worn too thin). I don't race, just commute, so I wear a mixture of plain jerseys, a LBS jersey and the jersey of my old club. I ride a single speed and I'm so slow that I don't pass anyone on the road regardless of whether or not they are wearing full team kit.

My take on the original question: wear what makes you feel good. You'll ride better if you feel good, be it team kit or anonymous clothing which says I'm out to smash any poser/fred wearing team kit.

 

[Swabian Lass]

I've got an old, classic Bianchi jersey that I wear but that's it. It's more because I don't like any of the current (or recent) pro team kits enough to spend large amounts of money on them. I have no problem with people wearing them if that's their thing though.

I wouldn't wear any jersey you can win - much too embarrassing.

 

[gmonster]

poking fun at the team kit...

First off, I don't think they make a team kit that would fit over my gut... but I agree with the sentiment that if you aren't in a race, why dress like you are... the guys in the Tour aren't wearing that gear because they think they look sharp, they do it because their SPONSORS want the branding.

If you are one to wear advertisement ridden kits, this may be your lucky day, the folks at Road Holland have made a game out of it by offering to give the loudest jersey wearer a free makeover.

http://roadholland.com/shop/pages/riders_corner.html

Not saying I'd race in one of their jerseys -- but then again, I'm too slow to race.

 

[RDV4ROUBAIX]

Haven't mentioned this for a while on this thread, but this is starting to remind me of grade school how the girls used to tease each other to no end about clothing choice. I'll say it before and I'll say it again, I hate fashion critics. If you're out there riding, more power to you. All this BS about "no world champs, no natl champs, no replica team kits, no this or that, don't mean a damn thing. What a bunch of nancys some of you are. Just sayin'.

 

[Damiano Machiavelli]

All I know is that a recreational rider wearing a pro kit looks way better than one wearing that hideous stuff from Primal Wear.

 

[craig1985]

Pretty much worthless post. I have no problems with people wearing pro jerseys of their favorite team, nor do I have a problem with wearing a kit that doesn't match ( could be they don't have the bucks to buy a complete kit, but buy things that are clearance items ), I do not have a problem with people saying they themselves do not like wear the above stated stuff. But I do have issues with someone trying to set "their" high and mighty standards on everybody else.

Where is the law stated in the Road Bike handbook, that pro kits can only be worn by a rider of a certain skill level? I had a look through my 2010 Cannondale Hi Mod Liquigas manual and I couldn't such a law.

You know as its been stated before on this post, if riding in a pro kit inspires a newbie or someone of lesser skill level to get on their bike and ride, good on them!

Its these "better than thou" of road cyclist who set themselves up as the standard bearer of the holy Bible of the Road Bikers law who are the real posers and Freds of the sport, because through their belittling and bashing of riders that do not conform to "their" way of shallow thinking, that could drive newer or less skillfull riders away from the sport.

Oh yeah, we get to read many better than thou riders mention how they smoked this and that poser/Fred on a climb in their full pro kit riding a replica bike, but we will never dare hear the opposite, of course not, that because everyone who rides in a full pro kit is a poser/Fred. Yeah sure, how many people in this world ride road bike that have bought pro kits or even wear mixed kits, but yet not once has anyone of these keepers of the road bike laws never been smoked by one. Uh huh, sure........and what fantasy world do you live in?????

You know, I wonder what a actual pro rider on BMC, Garmin etc, thinks about
peope who skills are so much less than theirs riding in a pro kit? Do you think Cadel Evans loses sleep at night because he see Mr Joe average road biker wearing a full BMC kit while riding a BMC bicycle?? Is he thinking, "Why, that good for nothing poser/Fred, how dare he!" Actually, I would say compared to Cadel Evans, Andy Schleck, etc. the vast MAJORITY of us all are posers and Freds. So in actual reality of things the guy who is calling a lesser skilled rider a poser in fact is also themself are a poser and Fred........

What about a pro cycling team like Liquigas or Movistar, think they really care about? Is the team mangers blood pressure goes up seeing this?

Its easy to know what the pro team think about it. Just go to the Liquigas or Movistar website and have a look!! Oh my, they sell to the public team kits!!!
How can this be!? What if a poser or a Fred orders a kit!! This breaking of the golden law of road cycling must be stopped!!

I have a great idea. Everybody who is a better than thou cyclist, that smokes posers on a regular basis, should unite and send pertitions to each and every pro cycling teams website, demanding before they unknownigly break the sacred law of road cycling by selling one of their team kits to a poser/Fred, that the buyer must belong to a cycling club or team, and they must have a document showing the riders average watts, how many races won and how many posers they have smoked. Only then can a purcahse be made.

Rubbish.........wear what you want, who cares what other think!! Don't let someone try to set their standards on you. Just go and and ride and have fun doing it!

Don't let the real posers and Freds......the fake supporters of Road Cycling with shallow minds influence what you like and want to do!!

Hey I have a photo on my computer with me wearing full Quick Step kit next to David Millar when he was with Saunier Duval

 

[yardbirds68]

Hey, you mean to tell me that David Millar didn't think you were a poser/Fred...hahaha! Thats awesome mate!!! Good on ya!!

 

[craig1985]

Well if he did, he didn't say it to my face though.

 

[elf1978]

I've been looking for pro team kits and came across this BMC kit, seems like the low price is because of the material used?
http://slickbikes.com/product/2011-bmc-cycling-jerseybibshorts-8599

They are definitely made with cheap materials. I purchased one of these "knock off" shorts last summer (Cervelo) from ebay, and although they look exactly the same, the difference is found in the production quality. These kits are made with inferior lycra and coolmax chamois, which is good for a few rides, but wears quickly. The elastic on the leg grippers begins to fray after about 500 miles. Spend some more money if you can. You'll be more comfortable and save money in the long run.

 

[elf1978]

All I know is that a recreational rider wearing a pro kit looks way better than one wearing that hideous stuff from Primal Wear.

Most definitely. Some of that primal wear stuff is wild, but every time I see another cyclist wearing clothing like that it just reminds me that everyone has a right to wear whatever they like, and as long as they're content, who cares?

 

[alberto.legstrong]

I have no problem with anybody wearing team jerseys on a regular ride. It's probably uncool to wear it in a race.

The team bike, I'm unsure of, which leaves me self critical. Last year I ordered a Specialized road bike in white and blue, unaware that it was actually the Saxo team logo bike. I already had a Saxo jersey, so when I ride with both I feel distinctly lame. I can't decide if it's more or less lame to ride the Saxo bike with my Liquigas jersey. Such are the existential dilemmas I face.

What's not lame is the matching Saxo Tacx water bottle my daughter bought me for my birthday. Passers by may think so, but it's real significance is this: my daughter not only remembered my birthday, but made the effort to look at the stickers on my bike. (Either that or she's hoping for the bike as a hand me down one day when she's finished growing.)

+1
When your kid stops to give a d*mn with what stupid mindless petty little detail REALLY matters to you... you just died and went to heaven.

 

[Barracuda]

I wear Castelli 3T bibs and Castelli 3T jersey.

Most comfortable and "bling" kit Ive worn.

Love the look and colours.

Doesnt quite fit with my USPS Trek though ...... but i dont give a S#@t !!

Comfortable, I like the look and in my mind I ride better because of it.

Thats all that matters.

You could wear fluffy pink pyjamas and a top hat if it was what suited you and you felt good in it ...

Really doesnt matter.

 

[knewcleardaze]

I feel I ride better with new tires or a freshly cleaned chain and gear set.

 

[Barracuda]

I feel I ride better with new tires or a freshly cleaned chain and gear set.

Not the point given the thread title !!!!!!!!

Take the sarcasm to the gear thread.

 

[Marcuccio]

If you like to wear em, good luck to you.
I don't, but I don't care if others choose.
More pressing issues in my life to worry about then "why is the 130kg dude on a 10k Willier coming towards me wearing a Lampre/Katusha/Rabobank kit"

Same argument could be made for "is it wrong for newbies / fatties / slow guys to ride top of the line, regardless of wether they can afford it or now" my answer would also be "if they can afford it, why not!"


too many haters in the world

 

[42x16ss]

If you like to wear em, good luck to you.
I don't, but I don't care if others choose.
More pressing issues in my life to worry about then "why is the 130kg dude on a 10k Willier coming towards me wearing a Lampre/Katusha/Rabobank kit"

Same argument could be made for "is it wrong for newbies / fatties / slow guys to ride top of the line, regardless of wether they can afford it or now" my answer would also be "if they can afford it, why not!"


too many haters in the world

Of course it isn't wrong. Doesn't stop me from having a little chuckle to myself and moving on though. (This includes the top of the line gear comment too.)

I know it's petty, pedantic and elitist to do it but sometimes I can't help myself

 

[Marcuccio]

I do also chuckle to myself, but in the end, it's their money I guess!

 

[KnockloftyNomad]

Reading through this thread at my leisure over the last few days has been quite entertaining to say the least and I’d firstly like to say thank you to those well balanced individuals with a bucket of chips on each shoulder – apologies to those forum members who due to geographical limitations may never have been able to sample the culinary delights of a paper cup (bucket) full of salted deep fried potato generously covered in highly processed tomato sauce while watching the C&D scratch race at a Christmas carnival…

Anyway back to the subject of cycling fashions – which is what this is all about. The “What Not To Wear” of the cycling world with Trinny and Susannah – although I’m not sure who the cycling equivalent is.

As far as I was aware the only real rule reading cycling wear was it has to cover the “naughty bits” when you’re out in public otherwise you’re likely to get locked up. Exceptions may be made for female model types with long flowing hair riding fixed gear, but I’d say that rules pretty much everyone here out. Any other rule is simply a self imposed restriction the individual places on his or herself. Some may say it’s unacceptable to wear a pair of baggy shorts on a group ride or club race, but if Super Mario was to show up in a pair of baggies (suitably hand crafted in Italian wool with zips made from recycled Saeco coffee machines) then I’m sure a proportion of those same people would have their credit cards at the ready eager to get their hands on a pair.

Personally these days I don’t have massive issues with what people choose to wear while they’re out riding. Yes some riders wear things that I may not but without knowing the full detail of the background behind their choice who am I to judge?? For all I know they were a gift from an elderly grandmother on her death bed and it would rude not to wear them, and to be honest I’ve got more important things in life to consider. Yes on the odd occasion I may discretely point out they bibs go under the jersey and not over but that about it these days, everything else is high school play ground mentality.

And for the record, by turning up for a group ride on my CX bike, in an ex team mountain biking rainbow jersey for a different brand to the frame I’m riding, I’ve probably broken so many other peoples rules that their tiny minds will not cope and their heads will explode inside their non team branded helmets.

Anyway that’s enough from me, I’ve got some riding to do.

 

[ElChingon]

Here we see a super fan wearing a ProTeam Kit he even has the official helmet, sunglasses, team rain cape and BIKE! That's a super fan moment if I've ever seen one

Its not so bad, the Pro rider behind seems to like or enjoy the moment.

PS: Take it back on the rain cape, its from some defunct team

 

[LongSprint]

Team kits? Knock yourselves out.

Championship jerseys? No way. (Unless you've earned it, of course.)