Moe Zhoost

So, I recently got my 83 Colnago Super back on the road after replacing the Campy 50th gruppo with vintage SR. I have been riding with vintage pedals and clips, which really do not work well with the MB shoes I like to wear. I do have vintage road shoes, but the fact is that they scare me a bit because I struggle to get my foot out (out of practice I reckon) even if the straps are loose. In any case, I can't bring myself to put newer pedals (especially the MB pedals that I prefer) on the bike for fear of upsetting the balance of the universe.

I would like to do the Eroica and just now read the rules. Question, since non-wool clothing was common in the early 80's, why would that not be acceptable?

Oldguyonoldbike

Always been more C than V, and wouldn't make the pre-1987 cutoff. But apart from that I say Pffffft, pffffft and more pffffft (and in case you were wondering, I'm just jealous of those of you who a) have the bikes and b) have the legs for l'Eroica.)

Oldairhead 

It is acceptable. But you are encouraged to wear something that at looks at least like it was from the 80's or so. There are lots of reproduction retro jerseys out there. You will not get tossed out for wearing a Team Sky kit but you might as well be wearing a clown nose. It just doesn't fit the occasion.

gugie 

Beautifully proportioned, rideable biker -RIGHT!

pastorbobnlnh 

I like all your Pffffffffing! Well done! .

Salamandrine 

RE clothing: What were originally called "skin shorts" showed up around 1980, and pretty much replaced wool shorts overnight. However, most people continued to wear wool jerseys up until around '85 at least. (at which point I went to college and mostly ignored cycling for a few years)

That said, full lycra "skinsuits" were around in the early 80s too. First lycra shorts I saw was in 1979. Maybe they go back a little farther.

Before lycra, there were shiny silk track jerseys also. Looked synthetic, but wasn't. I'd like to see someone wear one of those, if any still survive.

Moe Zhoost

I don't need retro, every thing I have is old! I have a mess of wool jerseys but have always preferred to wear lycra shorts. Since they were of the same era (80s) I'm encouraged that the one remaining pair I have is "approved". I do a pair of vintage wool shorts that I wear under tights since they do have a few strategically inconvenient thin spots and are risky to wear in public.

iab

They don't care what material you wear.

They do care what it looks like.

Astana team kit? Unacceptable. Primal Wear? Unacceptable. Simple black shorts and a simple jersey? Just fine. Black shorts and vintage or vintage-looking jersey? Just fine.

The Golden Boy 

Close, but no cigar- it's CLEARLY all stemming from 1987's UHF.

Even these things from 1948 or 1974 or whatever, they KNEW it would happen in 1987- so they changed it to "badges."

leicanthrope

I'm thinking of trying to replicate this look:

Wildwood 

No, no, no.....
You are supposed to be channeling



and since we all fall short.... show your Pfffffff