Tandem Cycling - Matching Jerseys?

I was going to search the forum to see if there had been a previous thread on the subject of tandem teams wearing matching jerseys, but the search function has been disabled. Anyway, I was curious to know what the feeling is amongst tandem teams about jerseys. Should they be matched?

I can understand how the team looks more like a team when they wear identical jerseys, shorts, and shoes, but I've always thought that it looked kinda corny to see husbands and wives wearing identical outfits at resorts and stuff. I'd always sworn never to be seen with a female while we're wearing "his & hers" clothing. Yuck! But I guess some folks just like that sort of thang.

If you both belong to the same club or sponsored racing team, I guess it's different. Anyway, what's the consensus?

- L.

hey twinkies are okay, my wife and me have matches sometimes when we ride lately shes been grey and i have been white...

Here's a re-post of something I wrote for a similar thread on matching attire that can be found in the achieves (Note: The google search engine does a pretty good job):
http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=63654

Here are a few thoughts on matching attire based on my experience:

1. It's a carry-over for roadies who belong to cycling teams and end up with a new complete team kit each season and who must or who are encouraged wear their team kit whenever they ride as part of their team association. Ordering an "extra" high quality jersey is usually pretty cheap, i.e., $35 when it's bought as part of a large custom team order. Moreover, when you're used to training rides where everyone is dressed alike then it's "just normal" to have your stoker in the same kit.

2. A carry-over from recreational riders who belong to riding clubs emmulate the racing teams by acquiring matching custom jerseys for both the distinctive look and the lower cost break on the same high-quality apparel that sells for 50% more in trade team colors. Again, if they take up tandem cycling it's no big deal to acquire that extra jersey for your stoker and the "team look" that goes with it.

3. Of course, you also have carry-over from recreational riders who don't belong to racing teams or riding clubs but who want to wear proper cycling apparel and rather than wearing a solid color prefer to have something with more character, e.g., the beer-brands, relica trade team, and fashion statement jerseys.

4. New tandem teams who don't fall into the three categories above but who attend rallies and group rides quickly notice that many teams are wearing "matching" jerseys and decide to emmulate that appearance.... something that isn't all that uncommon in life in general. Now, admittedly, I suspect many of the teams do it because the stoker or captain who haven't belonged to a racing team or riding club think it "looks neat" and look at it as an extension of their own sense of "team" that they derived from riding the tandem. Others just do it to "fit in". The lighthearted teams will often look for novelty jerseys like the Mickey & Miney Mouse on a tandem jerseys or others that are less "racer-like". And then you will also find that the entire protocol of cycling clubs manifests itself in the creation of a "local tandem club" that acquires its own team jersey which brings about the matched pairs.

5. There are also teams who attend rallies, tours, or participate in major events (MS150 ride teams, etc) where both participants end up "matching jerseys" as part of the entry fee, as part of a team, or as an optional premium items, e.g., Santana or Erickson rally apparel. And, last but not least, even a few of the tandem manufacturers sell 'brand jerseys", e.g., Co-Motion, Trek, Cannondale that some teams like to wear as a way of "showing their colors".

6. Of course, once you have the matching jerseys it's often times a slippery slope to acquiring helmets that match once one or both rider's helmets need replacement and the same sometimes even holds true for shoes when both riders can wear the same brand and there is a women's model or mens model that fits the women rider. Yes, some teams take it so far as to even have matching socks and matching Shimano SPD sandles. Enter the foul weather apparel and the team look continues to invade the wardrobe.

So, for what it's worth, that's why you'll find some tandem teams in matching apparel. It's roots are genuine in that it is a roadie thing.

Tri-geeks are lone-wolves who don't usually belong to teams as are the vast majority of mountain bike riders who don't race on a team. Same thing for pick-up stick and ball games, by its very definition it's a "pick-up" game of individuals and not an organized "team" activity where a uniform becomes part of the kit, e.g., intramural or company softball teams etc... will usually have matching jerserys.

Us, I think at last count we were down to about 45 matching "tops" between the two of us, accumulated over many years of cycling. Included in those 45 tops -- most of which are from my club affiliations -- are about 16 sets of matching items. Some of the items include a short-sleeve jersey, long-sleeve jersey, and matching wind jersey again, because they are necessary items for year-round riding and they are cheaper to buy that way. However, if the temperature is above 70 degrees (April - October), chances are Debbie and I won't match as she prefers to wear sleeveless tops and none of those match or even coordinate with any of my club jerseys. Matching helmets and shoes? Yes and no. We didn't start out that way but over time I found that the Limar F107 helmets are ideally suited for both of our head shapes (smallish and round) and Side shoes have proven to be the best fit for both of as as well -- mine are black but hers are wine & rose. Socks... she wears dark ones I wear either light or none at all.

5. There are also teams who attend rallies, tours, or participate in major events (MS150 ride teams, etc) where both participants end up "matching jerseys" as part of the entry fee, as part of a team, or as an optional premium items, e.g., Santana or Erickson rally apparel. And, last but not least, even a few of the tandem manufacturers sell 'brand jerseys", e.g., Co-Motion, Trek, Cannondale that some teams like to wear as a way of "showing their colors".


Although my wife and I have only been on a tandem a few months, so far she's made it VERY clear that we are not going to be wearing matching anything. We rececently received our first matching jerseys via an upcoming MS 150 ride, her solution: "I'll wear mine the first day, you can wear your's on the second day."

I give her.. ummmm.... maybe another year before she starts to see it as "cute" and we end up matching from time to time. I very seriously doubt we'll go out of our way to make sure we match from tip to toe, but I object less to having the same jersey on, I actually think it looks pretty neat on a tandem. We don't belong to a club, don't really ride singles, so we'll probably only aquire matching jerseys through ralleys, tours, or major events.

Most of our riding gear for the tandem match, with that being said, we feel it adds to the whole look and feel of the tandem experience. We do ride with different non-matching jerseys every now and then. I personally think it looks really cool when you see a tandem team matched and it adds to the whole look and mystique of the tandem look and feel. It is really no big deal either way as long as you are having fun and riding with your spouse or someone you enjoy riding with. Just my two cents on the subject.......:D

Take Care, :)
Bill G

My co-rider and I have mostly matching gear but this is down to the fact that some of our riding gear is sponsored. However- Stuart went out and bought a waterproof riding top in a sale and it worked- As soon as he could- he went back and bought the identical top for me. Then again I bought a top in a sale that fitted me perfectly so I bought one for him in a large size. Doesn't always workout though as I got a long sleeved top in roubaix material and this is fantastic for the chillier mornings or night rides. The one I got for him he found uncomfortable so he took it back but had to get a different manufacturer for his fit. Did manage to get the same colour but he agrees that these Roubaix tops are fantastic.

On a ride last year it was commented on the matching gear. One rider behind us thought his glasses needed changing as we kept getting a bit blurred. (He thought he was following a solo). Then he made the remark that he bets we have matching underpants. The reply of "What underpants" got him worried.

KnoxBreezer,
Good luck on the "maybe another year". We've been riding tandems for over 15 years and my wife still will not wear matching jerseys. Co-ordinated jerseys (her- grey /me- grey and black) are as far as we have come to matching. If your successful please send along advise.
Tandem Edge

We do matching jerseys and shorts on the tandem.

I go so far as to put different colored cable housings on my bikes, so matching outfits with my stoker is pretty much out of the question. At least with my adult stoker, and I'm sure she feels the same way. My other stoker though, I'd definitely like to get matching jerseys with. Problem is, finding adult and kid jerseys that match (and that we'd wear) isn't easy.

My wife and I match (as seen in the photo), but I am also the President of an Uber Geezer racing team with the slickest kit in Nor Cal.
Kind of like an Evil Spiderman look.

Doesn't work for us. I look really bad in the sleaveless, scoop neck, shelf bra tops.

... The lighthearted teams will often look for novelty jerseys like the Mickey & Miney Mouse on a tandem jerseys or others that are less "racer-like". And then you will also find that the entire protocol of cycling clubs manifests itself in the creation of a "local tandem club" that acquires its own team jersey which brings about the matched pairs.


you rang?
the jerseys are actually a good bit older than the kid...
http://lightwater.1cis.com/tandem2.jpg

We don't even own anything the same.

duane

you rang?
the jerseys are actually a good bit older than the kid...


How utterly charming! Thanks for sharing your daughter.

Lakes and River

We almost always go for the matching look, regardless if it's one of my kids or wife as stoker. It seems that we have more of a team feeling when we match, as opposed to two people on a bike. Besides that, it makes it much easier to find each other when at the rest area or lunch of a large organized ride.

We get many comments on our "matchingness" (even down to the shoes). The kids seem to enjoy the attention.

Here's a shot from a local century we rode just this past Saturday. Our jersey style is actually one my employer had screened a couple of years ago.

We often do not match, especially because the youngest usually wears regular shorts and tanktop instead of changing into her cycling stuff. On the other hand, when we do special rides like our monthly tandem group ride, we like to match just for fun.

This year we are getting good and cheap jerseys by doing the MS150 as part of a team. The smallest size we could get is a women's X-small, still way too big for Jamie. I should be able to hem, cut, and sew it to make it smaller.

Here's a pic of when one our few matching days while were on the bike across kansas.

While I am oiling the chains, airing up the tires, and loading the bike; the girls fill the camelbacks, prepare peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, and pick the clothes. We try to match jerseys on the Tandem... on the Triple my wife and daughters makes sure the colors coordinate.... I really do not care one way or the other... but it is important for the women in my life... I am just thankfull they want to ride with me.

We rarely match, but have several of the same jerseys. A couple weeks ago at the Race 2 Replace, we wore our matching Ohio State jerseys, must have been easy to spot. We had lots of positive comments from the crowd. Even some razzing from the Livestrong employees, as they are based out of Austin, and with Ohio State #1, Texas #2, we have a very big game next month.

Anyway, not sure I wanted to post a pic after the cute kids, but here is it...

http://www.weberwoodworking.com/bikeforums/matchingjerseys1.jpg

John

Well, we sorta match - some of the time. We try to wear our team or club jerseys when we're away from home anyway. She has tried to talk me into buying a helmet to match hers, but I can only get a team deal on a helmet in team colors (colors that she refuses to wear) and I am too cheap to buy one just to match ...

I'm always on the lookout for goofy matching shirts from Goodwill stores or discount stores. (For my wife and I.)

We like to 'match', even on our daily rides, whether it's T-shirts, jerseys, shorts. sox.
It started out back in 1978 when we won a tandem jersey at the Kangaroo Bags Rally in CA; bought another jersey to match . . . and so it goes.
Yup, we're a team!

Pedal on TWOgether!
Rudy and Kay/zonatandem

A blurry picture of us in matching jersey's off-road which is the norm, a typical photo of us in mis-matched tops in the summer, and a rare photo of us riding in the summer with coordinating jerseys.

Oh yeah, and while we do wear matching winter outer clothing, only Debbie wears the fuzzy antlers on our annual tandem club's Christmas Lights Ride through downtown Atlanta each December.

I'm not the matching type of guy but my compromise is that my daughter and I wear matching elmo socks when we tandem.

KnoxBreezer,
Good luck on the "maybe another year". We've been riding tandems for over 15 years and my wife still will not wear matching jerseys. Co-ordinated jerseys (her- grey /me- grey and black) are as far as we have come to matching. If your successful please send along advise.
Tandem Edge

I knew it wouldn't take long... I think being around a lot of other cyclists, all wearing team jerseys, helped a bit :)

Here we are on the new Burley Tosa, her inaugural voyage. We're in love with the new bike! Pics from the East Tenn Scenic Mountain Challenge MS 150.

I knew it wouldn't take long... I think being around a lot of other cyclists, all wearing team jerseys, helped a bit :)

Here we are on the new Burley Tosa, her inaugural voyage. We're in love with the new bike! Pics from the East Tenn Scenic Mountain Challenge MS 150.

You guys look great & match very nicely, also your fit on this new tandem looks good, I bet it is way better than the fit you had on your smaller framed tandem before this one. :D

You guys look like your having fun, you match, you have a great tandem, it don't get any better than that....

Take Care,
Bill G

It was actually my husband's idea to get matching jersey's. First we just started out with matching Performance blue jerseys and socks. Then we got some Rolling Stones jerseys.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v338/Litespeed/Reststopcopycopy.jpg

Still have to get a picture of us in our Rolling Stones jersey's -- maybe this weekend.:D