Hi there peoples,

Apologies if this has already been posted or if this seems silly.
Lately I have had the urge to purchase a cycling jersey, for the coolness and wicking ability etc etc (summer is coming). At the moment I am just wearing normal t-shirts, normally cotton.

But, pretty much every single one is a sponsored one. Similar to ones you see professional riders wearing with logos and advertisements all over them. So, I ask, what is the point? Are they just hip or something? If I am going to pay that much to a company, I don’t see why I should act as a mobile billboard for them as well.

Thoughts and opinions welcome.

Addition: If anyone knows where I get some non-branded ones please pipe up. I have seen them but I immediatly suspicious because they are always cheaper. But then, maybe I am paying extra for a name.

Well if your local bike shops only have billboard jerseys you can always hit online. Check out nashbar, performance, velowear stores. Although I am not sure if they ship in to your neck of the woods.

My thoughts EXACTLY!!!!!

Which is why I don't wear any clothing at all with the brand names and logos blatantly visible. I abhor clothing like that.

I get most of my jerseys from here: https://www.mec.ca/Products/product_l...=1162687319890

Yes, they do have the brand names somewhere on them, but it is subtle. You'd have to look for it to see it.

Another place I've gotten some of my jerseys is here: https://www.nashbar.com/results.cfm?c...2D%20Women%27s

Some might have some branding on them, but most are pretty plain.


Oh, I should mention, the only time I don't mind logos and stuff is when I've participated in an event that was sponsored by certain companies, and as a part of the entry fee, I received a jersey or T-shirt with the sponsoring companies on it. I figure in those situations the sponsoring companies have in some way contributed to my comfort and enjoyment of the event, so in return, I'll wear the "free" article of clothing with their names on it.

Let me drag out an old post of mine from the archives...

https://www.bikeforums.net/showpost.p...5&postcount=63

I am not saying they are evil, just...why?

By the way, I would buy those socks.

Check out Pearl Izumi, I have two of theirs with no ads on them and their logo is also very small. Red and black.

I know what you mean about the ads. I was in a small amatuer race at the military base, and was written up as being a member of a nonexhistant Pearl Izumi/Cannondale team! I did get a few strange phone calls from my fellow club members.

Nashbar and Peformance. I only have one jersey with logos and that is because it is for the company I work for. We had a team in the MS150.

My current jersey is an Orca brand with just an Orca logo and black too. I love my jerseys, they are my base layers thru out winter and cross over into XC and DH skiing.

+1 Fully agree with your sentiments. I have found a good selection at LBSs and mail order/internet sites. Happy shopping(and hold on to your wallet for the better quality jerseys)

I have a bonjour jersey. I think it's sentiments just fine , as I pass other riders. Does not bother me to back a corporate backer, should they be doing good work. WOuld not wear a corporate jersey , if I despised that company.

I used to agree with the anti billboard idea. However, team wear has grown on me. Especially the CSC team jersey. My current favorite jersey is a descente slipstream. It has a fairly large Descente logo.
https://www.performancebike.com/shop/...isearch=true##

Your thoughts may change sooner or later. Still, no biggie.

+1. Performance and Nashbar have wide choices of plain (no brand marking) jerseys. I like the quality and fit from Pearl Izumi, Canari, and Hind. I am sure others are fine as well.
When I started cycling I only wore plain jerseys, now I tend to favor designs and wear jerseys from events/centuries I rode. They sometimes have a bit of advertising (from sponsors) but it's not dominant. It's a way to support my favorite rides and it's something I earned.

If I am not in my club jesey, more than likely it is Bonjour or California Republic.

My Favorite jersey right now....

Wear what you like; I've got a Jelly Belly, Discovery, Euskaltel-Euskadie, plus some plain-Jane jerseys. I think the team jerseys look cool(most of them). I'll be buying some more, no doubt. A 7-Eleven jersey would be cool, some retro Italian ones in merino wool, etc.

voler, pearl izumi, assos, canari, giordana, louis garneau, performance, descente, et al have plain or non-logo jerseys.

Hey, just like Stoler wore in Breaking Away.

Damnable,

If you're currently wearing t-shirts, and don't feel the need for the rear pockets that jerseys provide, you have lots of options. Check out your local Wally World and sporting goods stores, you'll find lots of choices with little or no advertising on them. I have some Wilson tees from Target that are made from wicking synthetics that I use for MTB riding. I also have some long sleeve form fitting ones from Wally World that are their knock-off of UnderArmor that I use as a base layer for road riding when the temperatures drop....

B'Dog

as above: www.mec.ca

personaly I am a big fan of the Discovery team so I have one of there jerseys. if you want to get one thats not branded you might try ebay they seem to be pretty cheap and many colors no brands on them.

Target sells jersey shirts for 10-15 dollars with a quarter size brand near the bottom edge. They have the short and long sleeve versions. That is all I use.