kbarch

So, I'm an "experienced Cat 5" racer, but have been asked to join a development team.
In return for $300, ($500 up front, $200 returned after completion of 6 races) receive 2 complete kits (jerseys, bibs, caps and socks - which, from what I've seen, is quality stuff), plus a helmet and 4 bottles, and (perhaps unusually) entry and front start in a major event ride.
Also required, but not included in dues are annual USAC license and CRCA season race pass (CRCA is the organizer of the Central Park club races, as well as a handful of open races). There is a Manager and a Coach, but very limited team training planned. Nonetheless, members are obliged to wear team kit on ANY and ALL rides - even solo.
I'm not opposed to any of this, but the demand that we wear the kit all the time was unexpected and slightly annoying; only having 2 sets would mean doing the wash more often, plus, I really like my cold-weather gear and don't want to have to wear those stupid leg warmers, or a sweater under my jersey. Maybe I could buy more spares, and maybe they have team jackets and tights, but it's probably expensive. On a scale of 1-10, 1 being the most accommodating and generous a racing team might be, 10 being the most demanding and a rip-off, where would you say this arrangement falls?

carpediemracing 

I'm going to say a 2 or so.

Seems pretty legit to me, especially for a Cat 5. With absolutely no disrespect meant for the new racers to the sport, Cat 5 is essentially a throwaway category - no prizes worth anything allowed, expectation is to get experience and upgrade to Cat 4s. To be offered something like that (with the entry to a big event being significant?) sounds good to me.

The big thing is that it requires a commitment to the team by virtue of the high ante. You get more than what you paid for but you are committing to more than a minimum amount of stuff. I think you'll find yourself surrounded by riders who are committed to the team or have way too much money to spend on stuff. The latter should lose interest quickly and you're left with a cadre of like-minded racers.

Our club/team expects us to wear our kit every time we ride outside, even solo, and we have to buy our kits, plus pay a minor membership fee, and we pay for our entries for everything. We can buy extra kits, which I typically do at the beginning of joining a team (I joined them in 2009 for the 2010 season). I think I have 6? complete jersey/short sets plus LS jersey, LS thermal skinsuit, arm warmer, jacket, vest x2, cap, a bazillion socks, etc. I paid for all but 2 jerseys which were given to all members, 1 one year, 1 another year. I'm pretty sure I'm about $1000-1200 into my current kit. For some orders we didn't get a discount off of MSRP so it was pricey. Others we got a typical discount, but still, kits aren't cheap.

We did get bottles for free.

I will say that for winter the team relaxes requirements. Black tights, black jackets, they seem to be fine (I don't have team tights, not that I train outside much but whatever). I also race frequently in the spring using knickers, and we have no team knickers, so I use manufacturer branded knickers (that made the team kit for a bit, and also they sponsored my race series, so it's sort of a dual thing for me).

Also fluorescent colors. Trend on my team seems to be the (non-team) hi-vis yellow wind jackets, gloves, and shoe covers. Not "official" but it wouldn't do good to anyone to get hit by a car.

Doge

The kit thing sounds sparse. For that requirement they need to give you a lot more stuff. Do they pay your race fees?
A big factor here is how old you are.

kbarch

Thanks. Even if you had pegged the arrangement I'd described as a 6 or 7, your story was reassuring. The mere absence of anything to compare it to was sort of unsettling - not knowing what I was getting into and all....

Grumpy McTrumpy

I don't think I could purchase quality (2) kits, socks, helmet etc for under 300.

Back when I was on a team I probably could. The sponsors paid to be on the kit, and part of that deal is they expect you to wear it whenever you ride.

This deal sounds "OK" to me, maybe 5 on your scale. The dollar amount seems a bit high, but I live in Binghamton. Back when I lived in metro NYC, it would not have seemed high, and that was in the 90s.

globecanvas

$300 for 2 kits, helmet, bottles, and a fondo or whatever it is, is fine. Retail for all that stuff is probably more than $300. The "requirement" to wear the kit all the time is standard. You should certainly not expect any sort of deal that provides meaningful positive financial value to you.

gsteinb

For most any team in the NY area you're going to be asked to wear the kit whenever you're riding. Depending on where you're riding or if you're solo will determine how strictly you need to adhere to each individual garment.. I've got loads of old clothes from the several iterations of my own team's kit that I wear depending on circumstances. My coldest weather jacket is from an older sponsor and I'd still wear it, but it's the kind of thing I use so rarely I'm not going to replace it.

Full disclosure the coach and manager of the team I think you're talking about are a couple of my best friends. The thing with this stuff is it's very hard to come up with sponsorship dollars, and people wearing the kit is one of the small perks for a sponsor. We lost our sponsor this off season, and are cobbling together a budget (and keeping the same kits). For a 5 who is going to race, to get 2 kits and a helmet for $300 isn't excessive at all.

Stas87

CRCA isn't a terrible deal for the price. Keep in mind there are other teams in the area that are not a part of the CRCA that have more or less stringent requirements.

mike868y

sounds like a good deal until you hit the "always have to wear the kit" requirement which to me just seems silly for cat 5s, but then again...I don't live in nyc.

echappist

i'd broaden that description to any team that doesn't offer much in return for what you pay. If it's an elite team that pays for apparel and entry, i say def go bite the bullet. If they pay for either/or, that's still reasonable. Where i draw the line is when one has to pony up for both entry fees and kit. It's the main reason i stayed away from a local club that seemed just a bit too enthusiastic by the description on their website.

Makes me miss collegiate cycling, where the team pays for entry to up to 20 events per year at an annual fee of $150/yr...

topflightpro

Two kits and a helmet for $300 is a steal. I just dropped more than $500 for my three kits.

I'll add that while I do not live in the area, I think I know which team this is, and if it is the team I am thinking of, I've met one of the guys on the team who works with the development riders. He is a solid coach who is very committed to helping guys advance. That knowledge also is worth the money.

globecanvas

How are you guys confident you know what team this is? There must be a half dozen or more CRCA development teams.

gsteinb

I think I'm the only one who said he knows what team, and I said 'I think'….hardly a show of confidence. I based it on a few details in the post. It's hardly a big deal either way.

globecanvas

topflightpro said so as well. I was just curious.

gsteinb

he met my friend at a thing.

misterwaterfall

I'm not going back to my prior team as they had a $150 team fee and outrageous kit prices. $300 for a san remo style suit so I can advertise for you? No thanks

caloso

This sounds pretty standard to me too. We also have the requirement to wear the current team kit whenever we're out on the bike, but the requirement is loosened somewhat during the winter. I buy a windvest and L/S jersey every other alternating year. No one's ever given me a hard time about it.

canuckbelle

Super standard.

topflightpro

It's the helmet that keyed me in. When I met Gstein's friend last month at an event, he mentioned how everyone on the team had the same helmet and how they bought everyone left in stock to make sure they had enough of the right color for everyone on the team, or something to that effect. Since I know few teams that also provide helmets, I made the assumption, based in part on GS's previous comment, that it was that team.

Doge

All I can say (and you know that) is the juniors have it very very good. Then age 19 - not so much. We have been on four clubs and there is lots of support for the kids. Seems more so for the girls based on rates of junior girls racing vs junior boys. But outside of pros, the kids have it the best.

TheKillerPenguin

Ask not what your country can do for you, etc

Doge

Which is why I spent a few days (S) building others bikes. But when someone gives you stuff to use you are supposed to use it. I have unused rebuilt wheels I may not use this year, so hanging on till next year when free stuff runs out. The reality is that costs us (me and mom) more than just riding the prior year's sponsor. Last year's bike would have worked fine, as would the year's before as would the year before that. As would his prior TT bike. They hang in the garage and I should sell them. He will likely ride in Europe in the summer and need another brand bike 500EUR (cheap) or buy at 50% - but what am I going to do with another bike? And he gets a pile of kits. This is the way it is with youth "development teams".

shovelhd

Experienced Cat5's demanding good deals. Think about that for a second.

Racer Ex 

Have your agent look over the contract.

Doge

As I said I was reading it wrong with "development". Add "experienced" and I took it as written. There are college cyclists that start in college (which is why I asked about age) and can be experienced, but I don;t know if they get category upgrades for that. Then there are the foreigners that didn't do paperwork right and have to start all over. But most likely as you suggest.