Road Cycling - Team Jerseys

hey guys...what's your take on cyclists wearing pro team clothing while out on their road bikes?

Personally, I know people who would never sport a USPS Team jersey because there's a sense of being a 'poser' or 'wannabe' when wearing such clothing (and there's an element of being a moving billboard)

I myself am not bothered by such things. I think a lot of the team jerseys look great and it's a good way to show your support for your favorite team.

I think I'll be getting a USPS 2003 jersey for my rides this summer (another USPostal wannabe on the roads eh? :D) and a Saeco one simply because it's red and very cool.

As long as you don't have an attitude, there's nothing wrong with pro gear, except that it makes my stuff look kinda nappy. ;)

But if you're going to look like a pro, you better not have a squeaky chain, and your bike should shift quickly and cleanly.

I usually wear the Euro jerseys...most people I know don't wear them...and from what I read on the net...many despise it...

but honestly I am more inspired when I'm wearing the colors of my favorite riders...but many of my favorites are lesser known Euro pros so most people don't recognize the jersey's anyway...i'll probably never own a usps/saturn/mercury jersey

as silly as it sounds...when I wear any of my plain colored jerseys and black bibs, I feel uninspired...but sporting a carrera jersey and tacconi bibs, it makes my ride so much more pleasureable...

now if only I can find a team up here to join, I'd be wearing those instead :D

Ugh...

I'd never consider wearing the jersey of a team I did not belong to. And yes, when I see this I do think: "Poser."

Whenever my training partners and I see some dude in pro-garb we joke about going over and asking him for his autograph, or if he tries to ride with us and can't hold pace, joke about how maybe we should ask for pro contracts from "X" team that the dude was sporting the clothing for.

I don't hate people doing this as much as some people I know. I think that the only riders that would do this are recreational riders. I would be somewhat surprised if a racer were wearing pro-garb.

- Maurizio

... oh, but nothing is as bad as seeing some guy wearing a rainbow jersey. Frankly I feel it's disrespectful to the athletes who earn rainbow jerseys that some punk who's been riding a bike for a week can buy one for about 50 bucks.

Please don't go there...

Originally posted by Maurizio
Ugh...
I think that the only riders that would do this are recreational riders.

There are a lot of guys that do this that would likely shoot you out the back like poop through a goose.

Really? I've never met one.

The only guys wearing Postal jerseys that shoot me out the back like "poop through a goose" are guys that are ACTUALLY on Postal.

Uh huh.

Ooops, sorry. I kinda worded that wrong. I didn't mean to suggest that I race with Posal.

Instead of: "...wearing Postal jerseys that shoot..."
Change to: "...wearing Postal jerseys that could shoot..."

There we go.:D

I have a CSC-Tiscali jersey that I wear. Of course
I work for CSC so that makes it ok, right? :D

Personally I don't like full team kit.

Marty

Originally posted by lotek
I have a CSC-Tiscali jersey that I wear. Of course
I work for CSC so that makes it ok, right? :D

Personally I don't like full team kit.

Marty

I wasn't thinking along the lines of full team kit...eg jersey, shorts, shoes, helmets, pedals...I would agree that would definitely be going overboard

I'm just wondering about wearing just the team jerseys :) Interesting opinions so far...I can understand why there's derision towards people sporting pro gear....I used to have a similar attitude when did aggressive rollerblading...my friends and I would make of the 'posers' who bought aggressive skates but couldn't even blade

First, I understand the argument that people shouldn't wear team kit until they earn it. Of course, this hurts our sport in the long run because the sponsors make money off the sale of those jerseys and when sponsors don't think they can make money, guess what? No more sponsors. So if you really want to support a particular team in the sport you probably should buy their jersey.

Second, the notion that a rider can be judged by his kit is pure crap. Are there guys in full team kit that are joy riders? Sure. But are there also guys that are absolute hammers and accomplished local racers? Of course.

Judging someone (ANYONE!) by what they wear is so damned childish. Try getting to know them. Ride with them and shoot the crap for a bit. You might have a great time.

By the way, Phil Liggett wears pro team kit when he rides. Certainly he isn't fast but would you judge him? Would you question his contributions to the sport?

I wear standard black bibs with non-team jerseys from Assos, Briko or one of many other manufactures. But if a person likes to wear a team jersey or full team kit I say more power to them. Cycling is supposed to be fun and if the team gear adds to that fun then I think it's great.

Tom

Easyrider seems to have said it all....don't judge the book by the cover...making judgements by looks and speed on bike is insane. I know some slower riders with more obstacles in life and way more mental toughness than you could imagine. You never know about a person until you know about the person...walk in their shoes...wear what you want....hell ride naked!

Peace

I don't think it matters. Wearing a pro cycling jersey is no different from a baseball fan wearing the jersey or a hat of his favorite team. People spend too much energy worrying about what other people do or don't do. It doesn't affect how the world turns, it's no big deal.

I sport a 2002 USPS jersey every now and then...to be honest, it helps me escape the everyday-bore of a job I have and pretend I do something fun for a living :-)

I could care less what the other person is weaing. It's their attitude that counts. I think it would be neat to see what some of the jerseys look like other than seeing them in magazines. So no, as long as the other person isn't an ass I don't mind team jerseys.
Doug

also, another reason I usually opt for team clothing is because its cheaper :D haha

Am I gonna shell out $90 for black pearl izumi bibs? hellz no...

$45 for some Santini Mapei bibs from bikejerseys.com ...you betcha :)

I love pro jerseys..I think a full kit may be a little over the top, but it doesn't matter to me. Fans of every sport wear fan gear, pro jerseys are our fan gear. The "don't wear it if you don't earn it" attitude ticks me off. If being a racer makes you that stuck up, you've got problems. You weren't a racer the day you got on a bike, and we(joy riders) enjoy cycling and being competitive just as much as you, so get a life.:crash:

I just can't bring myself to pay the extra $$$ for a team jersey. I buy clothes based on value. Logos add no value for me. To each his own though.

laugh all you want but here's what i wore today on my ride...

i just hope i don't hypnotize oncoming cars! lol...

if there was a cooler looking/more colorful/cheaper/non euro outfit then I'd get one :D

http://filebox.vt.edu/users/eklemm/Outfit1.jpg

YEAH, BABY, YEAH!!!

LOL

That cuts it. I'm retracting my earlier comments. I am now judging you. And harshly, I might add.

Just kidding. Good for you. That outfit is great fun.

To be honest, who gives a S*$t. People get so uptight about this little thing and that little thing. I have a Acqua & Sapone team jersey along with others that I will proudly sport them on any given day. If someone makes fun of me like Maurizio then so be it. It takes more energy for him to say something than to say nothing at all. Something like that really pisses me off b/c of how childish it is. All I have to say is one day you will "make fun" of the wrong person and it will come back and bite you in the ass. Quit your *****ing and just ride!

Originally posted by Brahman Bull
To be honest, who gives a S*$t. People get so uptight about this little thing and that little thing. I have a Acqua & Sapone team jersey along with others that I will proudly sport them on any given day. If someone makes fun of me like Maurizio then so be it. It takes more energy for him to say something than to say nothing at all. Something like that really pisses me off b/c of how childish it is. All I have to say is one day you will "make fun" of the wrong person and it will come back and bite you in the ass. Quit your *****ing and just ride!

You said what I wanted to say..thanks.

Coppi51: Where did you get those shorts - those are too cool!

Talk about making yourself easy to find at a ride :)

Zack
285 miles down/2215 to go.

I like wearing the Kelme jersey that I recently purchased because when I ride by other riders sometimes I can see that look of recognition. A nod, smile or wave comes from it and I like that. Kelme's a bit rarer than Postal and kinda wacky-euro looking.

Now if I had the whole Kelme kit with helmet? I'd have to be REALLY good to pull that off. I think wearing a pro jersey is kind of a challenge to other serious rec riders. If I'm not in the mood I won't wear it. If I feel like mixing it up I do.

Saying that you should never wear them is just silly posturing--ala' Bicycling Magazine's Style Man. It's pseudo-snobbery. It's like saying you should never wear a football jersey unless you're a quarterback.

Road racing needs all the fans it can get.

Originally posted by ZackJones
Coppi51: Where did you get those shorts - those are too cool!




I'll second that.

Holy cow dude...I thought I dressed silly when I rode...But that is so cool, looking like that is the best.

Oh man these crazy texans in Galveston would have a hayday with you... But I think it's awesome... How could you NOT have a fun ride in that getup ?
:D
Doug

Wear what you want. Its your money. Part of the fun is flash bikes and colorful clothing. From dirty t-shirts to full kit pro team regalia. Ride. Be happy.

p.s. - I really like my Mapei jersey. Clever design and very colorful.

Originally posted by ZackJones
Coppi51: Where did you get those shorts - those are too cool!




haha...thanks! I got them last summer from www.bikejerseys.com

they are the '02 Acqua/Sapone team bibs...Cipollini is pretty cool...but I just love the Crazy Zebra pattern :D

I found perfect bike for coppi51 but I lack computer prowess to post foto...go to ebay bikes and frames....look up kestrel....see photo of..."Kowstrel" is all yours coppi and I would love the look hehe:D

Coppi51 has the right idea. Why pay the big money for Castelli's or Assos when you can get team wear for a fraction of the price.

Originally posted by jkoman
I found perfect bike for coppi51 but I lack computer prowess to post foto...go to ebay bikes and frames....look up kestrel....see photo of..."Kowstrel" is all yours coppi and I would love the look hehe:D

LOL...hmmm, is that Cipollini's new team bike?
http://ebay3.ipixmedia.com/abc/M28/_EBAY_aa230e0fb4956cad93ba54dbc09c6c3d/i-1_B.JPG

haha...

Originally posted by Coppi51
laugh all you want but here's what i wore today on my ride...



My son just today was joking about dressing as a hair-metal guitarist and said he'd need to find zebra striped spandex. Ought to get him a pair of those.

That bike is WILD! Can you imagine Cippo riding a prologue on that bad boy?

I like to greet all with my favorite kit.. "BonJour.' Good day in French. Usually elicits a positive response.. Riding down the Coastal highway, I have made interesting contacts with European riders who are here to appreciate our great cycling..
Besides, I get pro gear from certain vendors, cheaper than high end jerseys, shorts from the likes of Pearl Izumi.

Hey, I wear a Ben and Jerry's jersey sometimes. I wear it because it's Pearlizumi and because I like the cow. I am on a team this year and will be wearing that team's jerseys. Is Ben and Jerry's a team?

Originally posted by Coppi51
LOL...hmmm, is that Cipollini's new team bike?
[Kowstrel deleted]
haha...

Aiyeee! My eyes! My eyes!

I'm totally with Fubar and Easyrider on this, wear what you want to wear...When I got into cycling I totally didn't like what most people were wearing, black shorts and some plain colored jersey..So I having quite a strong feeling when it comes to certian things, of being non-conformist, decided to be different..So I started wearing different colored shorts and bright designed jerseys and the like, I became known for being different and it didn't bother me...Now I really love wearing certian pro jersey's, and yeah I may go overboard with my favorite team Aqua and Sapone, now Domina vacanze, but last year I got the full team kit, shorts, jersey socks, helmet Cipo wore last year, along with the bike and shoes, but I look at it like this, yeah I'll never have the ability to ride like Cipo does, but at least I can celebrate him and support him and his team, and not have to wear the usual black shorts and the like..Plus as others have said here, it inspires them to ride better when they do wear them, I'm the same.....Like easyrider say's don't judge a person based on what they are wearing or how fast or slow they ride, get to know the person befor you judge them as a poser or other things....Think of it this way, would you like that done to you?? if you're ok with that, then go ahead and do it, but beware it may come back to you,if you wouldn't like it done to you, then don't do it to others...Hopefully all of us here won't be soo filled with them selves that we can't let others express themselves the way they want to..

Benjamin

Wear what you want and ride what you want. Doesn't matter...though i'll admit, if I saw Coppi51 in that gettup, I would have to grin. :)

Then again, I don't take myself too seriously.

With all due respect to Maurizio and others with his view on this, I would ask them to consider what they are doing. 99.9% of the people wearing pro team jerseys are not posers. They are just every day guys like most of the rest of us here who buy a team jersey because they like the team or just like the colors. And, yes, most of us are "just" recreational riders. But occasionally a recreational rider decides to try to step up and give racing a try. So, unaware there is a dress code, they show up for a training ride in a team jersey and get humiliated. Of course, they can't keep up; it's their first shot at a serious ride, maybe after months of working hard training by themselves to get ready. So now the person has been humiliated. Instead of looking forward to doing it again he or she has to decide whether to risk further insult. Maybe they don't and a promising racer is lost to the sport. Is this good for cycling? Does this make any friends? Cycling has enough problems to overcome without this kind of stuff. The more cyclists there are, the better it is for cycling. The more racers there are, the better it is for racing. Consider the effect of your words and attitude.

I'm too old and fat to ever be a racer. I have a whole collection of jerseys, some of which I "earned" some of which I bought. One of my favorites is the Panaria jersey I bought to honor Julio Perez after his gutsy performance in the 2001 Giro. Every time I wear it I think of the heart and determination that little guy exhibited. Do I think I'm Julio Perez? Do I think I'm as good as Julio Perez? Anyone who took one look at me and thought that would have to be a complete idiot.

It's good to have people with the opinions and views that toothpick, rainman, fubar and easyrider and others have in regards to this thread, in cycling and on this forum...Great way of putting it Rainman, and it's good to have you back posting on the forum..I haden't hear from you in a while, or maybe I'm just reading the wrong threads:D


Benjamin

Re the Kowstrel... is that some kind of white Brooks saddle? Check the rivets.

The more team gear they have on around here,the less likly they will give you a smile,nod,wave or even eye contact as you pass each other.Is it the gear or them?

It's them. I wear some team gear. Some boring single colored stuff. Doesn't matter, I wave at every rider I pass, including little kids and their parents out for a Sunday cruise around the block. I'm not perfect, but when I'm on the bike I try to be friendly.

The guys that don't wave could probably be riding in a brown paper bag and they still wouldn't wave. Shrug 'em off and take comfort in knowing that you are polite and friendly.

That's sad Shokhead, because for me,if they are wearing brighter than usual clothing, or more team gear, the greater the chance of me seeing them and saying hi, or waving or greeting them...


Benjamin
in michigan

I love to wear brighter than usual colors when riding my bicycle..
I dont care what your additune (sp) is, and I dont care what you you are wearing. All I may notice is the bike you are riding.. Sometimes when I ride, I dont even see the ground or the sky. I'm lost in the zone, where its just me my bike, and that song I cant get out of my head (what ever it is for that day).
I only try to talk to people when I stop at the coffee shop...
I love to wear the jersey from bikeforums.net.. so far I have not seen anyone but me wearing it and to my surprize no one asked me "what's that about"?
Now whats up with that??

Well put RainmanP... I agree 100%

PBW