Road Cycling - Fashion trends among hardcore roadies

As I passed a large group of cyclists (not a team, just a bunch of people led by a LBS), I noticed that almost all of them had colorful jerseys and shorts with fancy designs that seemed to coordinate with their bikes and helmets quite well. It made me feel a little inadequate in my plain blue helmet, plain black shorts and generic bright yellow jersey that seemed to clash with my blue, white, and silver bike. Are all hardcore roadies so well coordinated? What are the rules for picking a colorful logo or team jersey? From what I've seen, Quick Step and Fassa Bortolo attire would go nicely with the rest of my ensembles. Is one required to name every member of the team whose jersey they purchase? Will I be ridiculed for showing support for a foreign team? Will I have to buy matching shorts? And why is it necessary to coordinate colors like so many riders do? Please help me to understand these fashion trends.


Oh, and if anybody knows of some other team jerseys with blue, white, and maybe silver as their primary colors, let me know;)

I think you're worrying needlessly but...

I think matching pro jeresys and shorts is a little over the top. Pro jersey of your choice and black shorts :thumbup:

Colour coordinating the helmet and bike?!?!? Who cares.

I did my my new helmet to somewhat match my bike (blue and white), I never give it a consious thought about total color coordination. I try to wear bright clothes just for the taffic enhancement.

It is NOT a fashion trend...... Roadies have been doing this since lycras became widely in use. This is no different from wearing any other sporting attire advertising your club or just displaying your favourite colors or team......even to match the color of equipment used. It just happens that cycling attire tends to be more flashy than other sporting attires. But that's ok......you wanna be noticed on the road, from a safety standpoint. And of course, you earn style points for coordinating colors to your bike!.......and that's nothing new..

PS.......I personally like simple solid colors as most of my tops and bottoms are. Even my bikes don't have any gizmos (computer, for ex.) ......including most factory stickers and logos.....I get rid of them...

I am more worried about matching my jersey with my legs rather than my shorts :)

I wear whatever is appropriate for the ride. I picked up some of those starter jerseys, as per a tip from one of our members. I find myself wearing them 98% of the time. They breath really well. I dont worry so much about what color they are. I dont wear white jerseys however. I wind up looking like Im in a wet t'shirt contest. :D

So what? I don't have any logos on my jersey either, just some white stripes on the shoulders. I love simplicity, that's why I take most of the stickers off my bikes. Spit in the face of one who dares judge you by the looks of your cycling clothes. At least you are not one of those “wonna be” riders who have team colors and bikes. Lets just hope that most of them do that out of support for the favorite team!

Originally posted by firebolt
I am more worried about matching my jersey with my legs rather than my shorts :)
No problem, maybe I can help. Post photo of your legs.

LFC
(local fashion coordinator)

I just wear the colours of the club I ride....seems more practical than going around wearing pro team jerseys (they also cost a LOT less than what pro stuff would cost)

That said, I'm going to go buy a 2003 Postal or maybe an 03' ONCE jersey in the next week or two :D

We have guys on both ends of the spectrum.

Some will show up in full USPS or Mapei kits with matching bikes while others wear nothing but plain non-logo jerseys.

I very rarely match (unless I'm in my clubs colors) and the only bibs I own that are not black are my team bibs. I have Jerseys from Domo Farm Frites, Mapei, Navigators, Lampre, Lotto and a couple of retro wool jerseys.

I saw a guy on his bike the other day all coordinated - bike, shorts, jersey, etc. & he didn't seem to be going that fast. Wearing the clothes doesn't make you a better biker. I prefer black shorts, a colorful jersey (solid color, color block, pattern, whatever I happen to like when I'm buying one), and a helmet to match the jersey. My husband & I ride a tandem & we don't match each other or the bike, but we do go fast & enjoy the ride.

Originally posted by George
No problem, maybe I can help. Post photo of your legs.

LFC
(local fashion coordinator)

I bought this set to match my jersey from ebay. he..he..he.. :)

http://www.seton.net/Wellness/GoodHealthMagaine/JanFebMarC00B/img/Biker-legs.gif

I look at it this way if EVERYTHING matches it will add 2-3mph to your speed ;)... which means that this rider is slow (and poor). Its fashion.. some riders are ment for runways not the track!

-Ross

This is how I do it!

On my weekday "afterwork/school" rides I wear simple black lycras, black Sidis, t-shirt and black Giro Helmet.

On my weekend rides I wear all black, i.e. Bibs, Sidis, Giro with a standout jersey (Acqua, Mapei, Italian National) and my red Oakley Racing Jackets. Oh and I always wear ankle socks that cannot be seen. I do try to coordinate my jerseys w/ my bike or the black that I wear b/c thats just how I am and thats what I like. Color me obsessive.

Originally posted by firebolt
I bought this set to match my jersey from ebay. he..he..he.. :)

http://www.seton.net/Wellness/GoodHealthMagaine/JanFebMarC00B/img/Biker-legs.gif

holy smokes :eek:

his calves are....scultped and chiselled

Originally posted by firebolt
I bought this set to match my jersey from ebay. he..he..he.. :)


Nice set.....great definition. A monochrome jersey with vertical patterns will definitely compliment those legs. I would choose something metallic in base color. Always wear black shorts. BTW, how much did you pay for them?

When your my size I'd look like the whole team squeezed into one uniform. I'll stick to plain jersey and black shorts. At least there's less embarrasment if I bonk on a hill or fall off.

i find a personal beauty in my plain black shorts and plain white shirt. i seriously would appear uglier, to myself, if i wore a team jersey or something.

I tend to go for the plain black shorts and what ever Jersey that's clean in the closet. I buy Jerseys like I buy ball caps. When I went to Scotland, I bought a hat. Last week in Vail... I bought a hat. This summer while in Florida, I bought a cool looking local Jersey.

I try and stay away from color coordination... I bike because I love to ride, not because I want to look good. And I'm not getting paid for the advertising space on my back...

I always wonder why my LBS sell their company jersey's for the going rate instead of discounting them so people will buy/wear and advertise for them??!!

Frankly, I tend to pass many of the local fashion plates out on the road. Sort of a slap in the face from a guy riding an entry level bike, and low end gear. But as was mentioned in a previous thread.

"The bike nor the gear make the rider."

Lance will still kick you ass on a Huffy, $20 Bell helmet, Starter Jearsey and swim trunks...:eek:

But that's just my humble opinion.

:lol: Thanks, guys. I feel a lot better now. I did just order a blue closed mesh jersey from Performance that matches my bike and helmet a little better. My yellow one is getting kinda ratty and stinky. I think I'll put a Quick Step jersey on my Christmas list:D

Now about socks....

We used to poke fan at guys wearing European team jerseys. We'd see a guy wearing a Motorola jersey and yell "Look, it's Steve Bauer!"

You'll find this funny...

Three guys, not in very good shape, where all trying on clothes in my LBS. All three of them eventually came out in US Postal Gear. They commented on how they all ride together. I just thought it was kinda funny and I think I'd probably chuckle if I saw the "local" postal team riding together down the trail. It does beg the question... who gets to wear yellow?

Probably most of the people you see riding in the kit where the shorts match the jersey are on a racing team.

What that means is they have to buy probably at least 2 sets of that stuff, so why not just use it all the time.

Other folks are in a local club and wear the club colors when racing. So, since they have the stuff why not use it for training rides.

I agree with others and if I saw a guy wearing all matching from a euro team, i'd chuckle a tad, but to each their own.

take care,

Jester

I wear team gear -MY team gear- all the time because that is all I own and you all should too. As serious as you all are about cycling, you should represent your local club, team or shop or even bikeforums.
You are part of a community and it's your duty as a cyclist to represent and support those in that community that support you.

You are a moving billboard no matter what you wear while cycling. Sorry, if you weren't making a statement--you wouldn't be here saying you weren't making a statement.

I changed my mind about pro team wear when I saw a bunch of riders with US Postal jerseys on during the TDF. You know what? It was cool to see that many riders excited about bike racing! People are gonna see that and some are going to want to find out about it. A couple might even take up riding and maybe one will race and become the next Armstrong. Who knows.

The more cycling culture that permeates the mainstream, the better it is for cycling. Wear team gear! YOUR team, YOUR club, YOUR shop, YOUR favorite pro team, YOUR favorite internet forum! BE A MOVING BILLBOARD FOR THE GREATEST SPORT AND ACTIVITY IN THE WORLD!!!!!!

Asi tried on a pair of plain black shorts this afternoon I wondered the same thing.

I bought the plain shorts but passed on a jersey b/c there wasn't anything that caught my eye. I don't know enough about cycling and team riders, etc. to make an informed decision yet.

BUT, since I have an OLD Bianchi I have been trying to maintain a more vintage style. I haven't been able to find crotched gloves that fit yet...maybe soon.

hat being said, I did see a really cool looking Campy jersey at a shop and I think that might be the one.

PJBAZ

Originally posted by RacerX
I wear team gear -MY team gear- all the time because that is all I own and you all should too. As serious as you all are about cycling, you should represent your local club, team or shop or even bikeforums.
You are part of a community and it's your duty as a cyclist to represent and support those in that community that support you.

You are a moving billboard no matter what you wear while cycling. Sorry, if you weren't making a statement--you wouldn't be here saying you weren't making a statement.

I changed my mind about pro team wear when I saw a bunch of riders with US Postal jerseys on during the TDF. You know what? It was cool to see that many riders excited about bike racing! People are gonna see that and some are going to want to find out about it. A couple might even take up riding and maybe one will race and become the next Armstrong. Who knows.

The more cycling culture that permeates the mainstream, the better it is for cycling. Wear team gear! YOUR team, YOUR club, YOUR shop, YOUR favorite pro team, YOUR favorite internet forum! BE A MOVING BILLBOARD FOR THE GREATEST SPORT AND ACTIVITY IN THE WORLD!!!!!!

Now that you mention it, what about a new 2004 Bikeforums.net jersey? I missed the last run, but again I wasn't too crazy about the design (it could be better). A BF.net jersey design contest, maybe?

Hmmm... are we making a bit too much of an issue out of this? I admit my helmet matches my roadbike. I didn't actually plan it that way. When I crashed on my MTB last fall, it was the end of the season and I scrambled around to find a new helmet. The bikeshop had a discount/clearance on their last Giro E2 (I really like the E2) so I grabbed it because no one else had any in stock. The colours just happened to match. I will also confess that I like the colours. As far as jerseys go, I wear colourful jerseys gathered from rides I've done. I also have a collection of plain jerseys because they're cheaper and do the same job. Sometimes I will indulge and get a jersey with a design I find particularly neat, humourous or cool such as my Redhook jersey.

I have no problem with what anyone else wears as long as they haven't beaten me up and stolen it off my body. I think a lot of effort was put into developing logos, designs, etc in order to make them capture attention, convery a message, etc. So what if it's emblazoned on some rider's back? If you don't care for it, avert your eyes, otherwise enjoy the scenery... the scenery of people out there cycling. Wear what's comfortable (both mentally and physically) and stop worrying what other people think. By the same token, be willing to accept that other people have different likes and dislikes.

Black shorts, jerseys are whatever colour is in at Goodwill. I make my fashion statement with Canadian flag socks that match my Canadian flag water bottle. :D

i really don't see anything wrong with someone using a jersey w/ matching shorts and helmet, w/c matches thier bike colors/design...

I agree that these team jerseys are bright, but they are so for safety reasons, thus to be as noticable as possible.. I don't think cyclists wear bright colors just to make people think they're cool..

In the past, Pro Team Jerseys are hard to find, and were expensive... Now, you can buy cycling apparrel at almost any mall.. I think that explains why you see more cyclists with a "more or less" complete matching gear..:D

JRAs, whatever is clean.

Group, training...My team jersey, maybe the shorts (but I try to save them for...)

Raceday, Full team kit.

If I'm going to advertise, I"m going to advertise someone that supports my efforts. In otherwords, companies that provide me with goods or services in return for my advertising display upon my back.

I mostly wear my team's full team strip. I have three sets, and I'll wear the good one on race day. I also have my bike shop's jersey and shorts, and a couple of older jerseys (including one Euro team jersey from the early 1990s) and black shorts. My helmet is white (team issue). My gloves are black.

in solids i fell less like a poser. i mean, i'm not sponsored by anyone. I do think that there is a market for cycling attire with your college, or any other personalized team/name.

I'm not into brand names. i'm not advertising anything till they pay me the money.

Originally posted by RiPHRaPH
i'm not advertising anything till they pay me the money.

Good point. Yet, I have noticed that pro team (replica) cycling wear--especially if it's 'outdated'--often comes at a better price than plain, no-advertising, stuff of the same quality. In that sense, I feel like being 'paid' (a bit) for wearing advertisements.

THat picture of the legs, the bike has the chainrings on the wrong side.

I really wanna get one of those corona jerseys that they have on sale at performance. However, I don't think my parents would be amused...

Originally posted by RacerX
The more cycling culture that permeates the mainstream, the better it is for cycling. Wear team gear! YOUR team, YOUR club, YOUR shop, YOUR favorite pro team, YOUR favorite internet forum! BE A MOVING BILLBOARD FOR THE GREATEST SPORT AND ACTIVITY IN THE WORLD!!!!!!

I couldn't agree more with this.
Wear your Bike Forums jersey.

I wear a Serotta jersey since thats what I'm riding mostly.
I also have a CSC jersey, and while I personally
don't really like team kit, I work for CSC so it makes sense.

Marty

I don't worry about what other cyclists are wearing, but I do worry about being seen by motorists and looking weird or stupid. But most people I know think a 58 year old fat guy on a bike is kinda weird and stupid. :eek:


Depending on my mood, day of the week, phase of the moon :confused: I wear either black or gray or blue bibs.
All of my jerseys are fairly plain - yellow or fluorescent yellow/green for visibility, red, or blue.
My only "logo" jerseys are my BikeForums jerseys :beer: and a PI Celestial Seasonings Zinger jersey.

My bike is Ti with yellow decals and blue handlebar tape. My gloves are blue. My shoes are blue/white/gray/black. My helmet is a red and white Giro Animas.

I think I need a fashion coordinator!
Maybe the Fab 5 can help. Do they do cycling makeovers? :rolleyes: :D

How do I get a BikeForums Jersey? Now this is something I can support!!
I like mine a little loose - are there any L or XL left???

R

I smell COMMISSION! :)

Oh - sorry - that's just my pile of sweaty jearseys lying on the floor...
See I need a new one so I have one for each day of the week...

I usually wear black shorts and some bright coloured jersey. The bright colour of the jersey is to help to be seen. Bright yellow seems to improve the clearance drivers give in passing me on the road. No , I'm not kidding. So I tend to buy and wear yellow jerseys and rain jackets. Feels a bit weird to wear yellow in July, otherwise it's fine the rest of the year...LOL.

Wow. I didn't think this thread would get so much attention! :eek: I think the thong man (may he rest in peace) was not so crazy, after all. If I didn't know it was illegal, I would just ride nekkid *coughA.Trollcough*

You know though, all the great looking and coordinated clothing will obviously never make you ride faster. Some of the strongest guys I knew would just wear plain black bike shorts and a t shirt. Often they'd be riding some generic, beat to hell mid-80s 501 frame. And they blew away dudes with their $100 jerseys, $300 shoes and their brand new Litespeed bike. I loved it.

I hear black goes with everything ... therefore I must match well.

I am fairly cheap, so I tend to wear the cheaper jersey which is usually solid colors.

companies pay thousands of dollars to advertise on billboards or on TV. so why would i pay to advertise some company? that doesn't make any sense.

it's one thing to support your local sports team, but it's quite another to 'support' a post office/soft drink manufacturer/car parts dealer. you're not wearing a 'team' shirt when you put on the postal colors as much as you're advertising for the US Post Office. and you're paying two or three times as much for the honor. i don't understand why anyone does this.

if you're on a team or in a club, there may be sponsorships that require logos on jerseys. that's ok...after all, some company is paying you (indirectly) to advertise for them. but supporting your LBS or Coca Cola by buying their logo jersey? that's just silly.

look, you're not fooling anyone by wearing USPS or Bianchi team uniforms. you just look like a sucker.

i buy my jerseys on ebay for cheap, and they're all as ad-free as i can manage. when someone wants to sponsor me, i will wear their billboards proudly.

i think i need some more coffee. i seem cranky.

p.s. there was a guy on a road bike taking a rest the other day as i passed him. his belly was hanging out a good six inches from under his USPS jersey (had the pants too). there's a guy who likes to spend money on bike stuff, rather than really use it.

wait, that might not be fair. perhaps wearing the uniform makes him get out there and cycle.

i guess i'm going to have to change my mind: if it keeps you cycling, spend the money and look like a beer commercial. but it's not for me.

I know I started riding because my sister bought me a Banesto jersey.

What a stupid concept.

I'm crabby today also.

Performance sells club jerseys in different color schemes, some that would match you bike, if you like. You can then screen a design of your own on them.

assos uni

if you want to wear a pro team jersey, wear a pro team jersey.

the sport of professional cycling makes no money from the events themselves, which are held on public roads and open to all. rather, it makes money from sponsors, and sponsors only get value for their money when they get exposure. so, by wearing a team jersey, and giving exposure to a spanish bank or a belgian lottery, you're helping to support the sport.

moreover, teams get merchandising money from the sale of jerseys, so you're directly supporting your favourite team -- to the tune of a few dollars -- with each purchase.

there is a long tradition of the tifosi wearing their favourite team's colours in europe. the strange thing is that the poseurs are not the people on this side of the atlantic who wear pro team gear, but the the people who look down on it.

See, this is what I do not understand about roadies. You have the purists who will only wear plain colors b/c they say they are not promoted, they do not want to advertise, etc. But how many people in the States are actually going to contact Mapei to build a commercial building after seeing me sport my team gear or Fassa Bortolo for premixed plaster to build that building. I am not trying to offend anyone, rather defend myself and all others who like team gear. For me it keeps me motivated to know that there are teams out there who could kick my ass and a jersey is a reminder of that fact, plus I like the colors and designs. The bottom line is do what you want b/c YOU like it. Flame if you like but I will still wear my jerseys w/ pride.