[Closed] Roadies and team kit

I know we're such terrible snobs, but it's nice that the peasants identify themselves for us

Exactly. Three or four years ago, if someone was wearing full Discovery kit you knew not to get anywhere near them because chances are they had no sense.

Not sure what the current equivalent is, maybe Cervelo, or Team Sky in a month or two?

MTB clothes aren't peppered with corporate logos

Never been to an XC race then?

Oh yes, once...they are actual sponsored athletes though.

I often wear a ben and jerries jersey, where does this fit into the scheme of things.

On the on hand it maks me as a corperate whore for wearing a companies logo all over my top.

On the other hand, Ben and Jerries don't have a race team?

I'm confused.

I've just ordered some team road jerseys. I'll mainly wear then to ride to work and maybe even for mountain biking. I bought them because I like the look of them and they were cheap.

I'm guessing most people buy team kit and "all the gear" because they are really into biking regardless of how good they are. Not a problem for me.

I often wear a ben and jerries jersey, where does this fit into the scheme of things.

It puts you up there with people who wear Marmite / Whiskey / Real Ale jerseys.

Make of that what you will.

wear national chanpions jerseys. the Italian one is lovely

There is a peculiarly British slant to all this, which stems from the history of cycling in this country, and one which is expressed even in mountain biking.

Wearing continental trade team tops in the days when all 'proper' cyclists rode for clubs marked you out as a loner, a newbie, and not part of the gang. There are different levels to the problem though; it's seen as acceptable, even fashionable, to wear kit from some obscure Belgian bike shop team; I saw someone wearing a hat from Plum Vanquers the other day, yet wearing a Sky jersey suggests to some that you might not be that knowledgeable.

It's the same as buying a Specialized bike; you get a sense that some might look down on you because it's not made by a man in a shed in BC.

It's like using Mavic factory wheels instead of Open Pro/Ultegra made by some greasy aproned artisan who once applied chamois cream for the brother of a man who was a semi pro.

It's part of being a cyclist in the UK, and it's funny that people take it so seriously. Ultimately it's similar to that 'I've been into them for years' thing about bands; as soon as everyone likes them, the cognoscenti drop them like a stone.

I've been droppped by a man in a parka wearing trainers while on a chaingang; its all good..

I usually wear either a Stiff Little Fingers sweatshirt, a Che Guevara t-shirt or a Decathlon cycling top whilst on the road bike.

I've never been in a Northern Irish Punk band nor have I been an armed revolutionary. The last time I tried the hurdles I nearly broke one.

I do like winding up snobs though, and teamed with an Alpkit rucksack and ancient Shimano MTB boots, I find it does the trick perfectly. 😀

I reckon crikey sums that up pretty well.

Never had the time / commitment to join a club because of my line of work.

Not overly keen on manufacturer / team tops, but like my Marmite, Ardbeg and event tops...

... Got to wear something on the bike after all.

(Quite liked the Morvelo tops I saw at MM, but was keeping a tight reign on the wallet)

Few crackers I see quite often near me:

- Guy who wears full Euskadel kit, including the matching Orbea bike.
- Older guy who wears full Bettenni World Champs kit. Socks, shoes, helmet, the works.
- Rather large gentleman in full Liquigas kit, with the matching Cannondale. Belly nearly touches to TT.

Always amuses me, but apart from the World Champs kit, doesn't annoy me. National or World Champs kit has to be earned.

What do you think of this then..

[img] [/img]

So can I wear team kit on a single speed, with 3/4 length baggies, whilst using a mary bar with bar ends? Or only with interesting facial hair, whilst sipping a 3000 year old malt from an antique hip flask?

I suppose if it makes riding on a road seem more exciting then fair play to them

whilst using a mary bar with bar ends

I don't think you're allowed to do anything if you're doing that.

[img] [/img]

I've got this, but I suspect wearing it might be a bit too retro trendy, and I would need a pair of my sisters jeans to complete the look..

There's also classic kit. The question is, how long does it take for an old team strip to be acceptable?

...I'm not Freddy Maertens either..

Guy who wears full Euskadel kit, including the matching Orbea bike

I suppose if it makes riding on a road seem more exciting then fair play to them

If what they are wearing has a bearing on their level of excitement they definitely conform to my stereotype of an idiot!

What do you think of this then..

Take the ****ing suitcase off the back of the saddle.

I reckon it's all a manifestation of the British obsession with class and putting / keeping everyone in their 'place'.

That's why I like racing so much, it doesn't matter what you ride or what you wear, the results speak for themselves.

Except apparently [i]my[/i] results should have me wearing cut-off jeans and trainers when I'm out on the road. Oh well, I guess I'm "over-kitted". My apologies in advance to everyone that is offended as they overtake me.

I'll try to remember to shout "Slow down!" so you can make a proper indignant forum post.

Real Man, a critic would say shorts look too short, and jersey looks a bit too big.

Realman - What do you think of this then..

Polkadot jersey while riding a triple? Fail.

Wouldn't even know what was or wasn't team kit & care even less what other people ride when out on their bikes, just find it mildly amusing when some riders do their darnest not to see my cheery wave as we pass by 😀

Plenty of sports provide people with the cash to equipe themselves with pro-level kit whilst maybe not having pro-level skills, but if it makes them happy then there is no harm. It's not my cup of tea, so I don't do it, nor have I got the cash. But if pointing and laughing makes you feel superior and better about yourself, well it says more about you really.

Possibly, the jersey was given to me as a present. Might not be complete right size, but I love it. Shorts [i]too[/i] short? Crazy talk.

Polkadot jersey while riding a triple? Fail.

Not being able to tell the difference between a triple and a compact? Do I even have to say it?

There is only on perosn that should wear the polka dot\yellow\rainbow\national champs jersey and that is the guy who won it, end of story...

I usually wear either a Stiff Little Fingers sweatshirt, a Che Guevara t-shirt or a Decathlon cycling top whilst on the road bike.

I'm curious.

Do you wear the SLF sweatshirt so people know you like that band? Presumably so they can say: "Oh, I like/don't like/have never heard of SLF". Or is there another reason?

Similarly, do you wear a Che t-shirt to show solidarity with the Comrades or something?

Like I say, I'm just curious. I don't really 'get' those sorts of designs. I'm guessing you're trying to tell people something - I'm just not sure what?

I wear a Cervelo jersey and jersey only, plain bibs/socks etc. But I ride a Cervelo... is that ok? Just thought I'd check.

I generally think if you want to wear a team jersey then fine. I even think if you want to wear a yellow jersey fine. Generally if you're in full kit, or a green/polka jersey, you better be quick and good.

Don't know why the green/polka bothers me though, maybe it's the yellow just says you like cycling, the other two are making some sort of statement about how good you think you are...

There is only on perosn that should wear the polka dot\yellow\rainbow\national champs jersey and that is the guy who won it, end of story...

It does sort of transfer to other sports though. You going to tell an 8 year old to take off his manchester united shirt cause he's not good enough to wear it? Nothing wrong with showing you support something. Nothing wrong with having a few aspirations.

the other two are making some sort of statement about how good you think you are...

If it makes you feel better, when I do wear that jersey, I do attack on every single hill. And I'm not what you'd call slow up the hills.

As long as you're wearing [i]something[/i] eh, that's the main thing. 😉

Agree with Crikey on this one.

When I started out I was not a member of a club and bought a Carrerra jersey (1992) as it was Stephen Roche's team mainly. Since then tended to go away from team strips (i.e. Rapha - but thats another thread!) except what I consider the classic Peugeot jersey I bought a couple of years ago. I do own a very old Dutch or Belgian possibly semi-pro jersey which is in my county colours so appealed to me.

I also have one of the first STW jerseys which I like - not sure if that marks me out as a knob or not though!

On balance rather people were riding.

I bought the sweatshirt outside their first Mancunian gig after reforming, back in the 'eighties. I like the design and it brings back a lot of happy memories.

It's got quite a few holes in it where the creosote I used to paint the fence ate away the fabric, but it's comfy, made of very light cotton, and functions perfectly well over a base layer. I've worn it at both the bike races I've ever entered and may wear it again at the third on Saturday.

The Che T shirt was a present, along with a book on photography, from my partner.
I love Alberto Korda and think it's a wonderful iconic image of a very different time.

I'm sure both may pigeon-hole me as a romantic old lefty who never quite grew up, which is absolutely fine by me. 😀

Not being able to tell the difference between a triple and a compact? Do I even have to say it?

Pretty hard to tell with such a small photo. Your mate has one, and looking at the bandage on your knee, you could do with one too.

If it makes you feel better, when I do wear that jersey, I do attack on every single hill. And I'm not what you'd call slow up the hills.

I would. 😉

I'm sure both may pigeon-hole me as a romantic old lefty who never quite grew up, which is absolutely fine by me.

You'll be pleased to know that they do <smile>.

If the price is right I don't care what it looks like (I draw the line at denim-look lycra though).

Anyone still wear that Carrera kit ?I still have the denim look winter gloves because they were cheap.I wear odd bits of team kit because you can buy it cheaply if it's old stuff

I wish someone would ask me to slow down. Do you guys really care what road racers are wearing?

I must say I've quite enjoyed this thread and jolly surprised that no one has burst through the doors without reading the posts above and proceeded to call us all knobs before telling us all to just get out and ride.

Pretty hard to tell with such a small photo. Your mate has one, and looking at the bandage on your knee, you could do with one too.

If you can't tell, don't assume then 😉

That's from an older running injury, knee starts aching a bit when its cold, and it was early morning and hadn't really warmed up yet. And that's my dads bike. I just can't convert him. 😀

I would.

What?

You're all knobs. Just get out and ride, whatever you're wearing.

Wear what you want...If you like it and have the cash then why not.

Telling you that you should slow down is a bit much though if you weren't actually riding with him! but could have been in a jokey way?

I actually wore my Carrera top 2-3 weeks ago in The Alps. We were supposed to be doing La Plagne that day but the weather was against us and we had a late start and 'made do' with Iseran which was local.

In the '87 tour Roche, riding for Carrera, had a big chase after Delgado up to La Plagne that was a big contribution to him winning the tour that year.

I thought I could emulate the exhaustion at the top - without going over The Madeleine first!

Usually it is stuck at the back of a drawer.

twinklydave - Member

As long as you're wearing something eh, that's the main thing.

I believe sir may possibly have witnessed my rotund magnificence 😀

Said top:
[img] [/img]
It doesn't 'wick', by the way.......

Agree with Crikey on this. It's all a bit sad really, looking down your nose at people who don't conform to your way of thinking.

Not everyone has the time or inclination to join a club and we don't all want to wear grey endura jerseys either.

I bought a BIC top because it's bright and I like it, so what's the problem?

Saw a bloke today in a Team Sky strip - he didn't hang around ordering that.

I bought for cheap a woollen retro cycling jersey, logo-free with just a stripe down the side. It was great but it kept shrinking in the wash til I looked like this
[img] [/img]
and then it eventually started to disintegrate for some reason.