Team Bibs?
 

Is it bad form to buy a set of Pro Team bibs if they were for an amazingly great deal?

Example: I got a set of Leopard Trek bibs for $33.50 shipped.

What say you?

Well... You've already bought them... Haha. I wear my Leopard Trek Jersey a lot even though I don't even have a Trek. But I didn't buy the bib cause a full kit would look kinda ridiculous~ If you're just wearing the bib, why not? It's really up to you. Just be ready to lay the hammer down on those that heckle you. Problem solved.:)

Why would it be bad form? Pro sports, whether it's baseball, football or cycling sell clothing for fans to wear. Unless you're on a sponsored club team, wear what you like.

This absolutely. Who cares what anyone thinks anyway

Nobody cares, although I would question whether they're the real thing.

agreed. I got some TIBCO bibs on a really good sale at voler, so I'll be rocking them, but not with a TIBCO jersey, probably some other jersey.

Isn't team Tibco a women's pro team? Hope the chamois fits down under!

Same here. There are a lot of fake kits out there that aren't the same quality. On the other hand, the Leopard Trek team no longer exists, so it could be a legit clearance deal.

OP, where are you buying them from?

For a different perspective, if you didn't play/ride for the team you can't wear their jersey. Similar to something like a world champion jersey. Whole lot of difference between an official team kit and some thing with just their name on it. When the people ask you about the bibs, make sure you tell them you got a great deal on them. The things a person will do to make themselves look better in other people's eyes.

The "Rules" disallow wearing kit from a team you are not a member of.
However, I believe there is an exception for teams that are now defunct. Leopard Trek is defunct, therefore you're good. :)

I picked up a Leopard Trek jersey a while back. Have yet to wear it (too cold) but cannot wait.

That said, one of the guys that we ride with shows up in full RadioShack kit (2010) occasionally. No one would say a damn thing to him. Might be because he's state champion for MTB, Cat 1 or 2 CX, and could pound most of us to death on a recovery day.

Wear whatever you want. Those are a great pair of bibs if they are the legit team version. Who cares what few folks think. If a person comes up and asks are you part of a team just say no. Or say "no, but I'm working on it" and consider the kit a good ice breaker. So go ahead and Buy that Rock Racing kit you've been secretly lusting after and strut your stuff at your local A/B rides.

let's not get carried away

to the OP: in my opinion team bibs are best worn with another team's jersey. so go ahead and wear your lay-oh-pard bibs with a liquigas jersey. people will look at you. they will be confused. but you will be really cool.

I bought my first piece of pro team gear November at the Garmin-Cervelo team presentation - a Castelli winter jacket. I needed a new jacket, it was $50, and I'd had a few drinks.

I've used the jacket nonstop, but I still hate wearing it. It's only worse with Slipstream in town.

There should also be a minimum 5 year waiting period after the team is defunct.

It really doesn't matter. If you like them and they're comfortable on the bike, then you're good to go.