Jersey & Bib Shorts – Matching or not?!?

Of course you CAN wear what
Of course you CAN wear what you want on a bike, just like you can walk down the high street in anything you like.

But most of us don’t because in fact we do care what impression we make on other people. It’s deeply ingrained behaviour.

So as a fairly normal/typical (I think) club and racing cyclist my view is:

1. Full current/recent pro team kit is for try-hard wannabes. It’s ironic that this is defended by people who say you can wear what you like, when clearly the people wearing it are doing so in a desperate attempt to be accepted and recognised by others.

2. Kit doesn’t have to match but should at least go together. You match the clothes you wear to Sainsbury’s (I hope) so why not on the bike? No obvious colour clashes and be careful with logos – don’t be a harlequin or a moving billboard.

3. Rapha – be prepared for sceptical looks, especially if you are totally tricked out in Rapha’s finest. But plenty of serious riders wear it and if you have the legs and the money, go for it.

These fashion questions are just about first impressions but these matter in cycling because they relate to my own safety.

If you turn up in full Sky rig with hairy legs at my club ride my initial impression is that you might not know what you’re doing and I’m not going to ride too near you until I work out whether you’re a liability or not.

On the other hand, turn up in some well chosen but not OTT stuff (or your local club kit) on a decent bike and with shave legs and I will be inclined to think you are not about to take me out.

Your choice.

Gkam84 wrote: I know a few

Gkam84 wrote:

I know a few clubs where people have showed up as a FKW and been told to go away, even if they have been a member for years.

That’s just very sad we want more cyclists on the road and this type of elitist behaviour should not be tolerated in the cycling community or any other community for that matter. Treating someone like a c*nt because of what they’re wearing is just incredibly stupid.

I get the feeling the cycling
I get the feeling the cycling community is, sadly, as judgemental as any other sport or pasttime. Wear what you like and everyone else can go fuck themselves.

😀

It is each to their own, wear
It is each to their own, wear what you want, but expect to get funny looks, a bit of chat and dropped off the back if you are wearing full pro gear.

I know a few clubs where people have showed up as a FKW and been told to go away, even if they have been a member for years.

Gkam84 wrote:
Now things have

Gkam84 wrote:

Now things have jumped over to cycling, it holds the same meaning, don’t go wearing FULL team kit (Jersey, Bibs, Cap, Gloves, Socks and Bike) if you are not with that team, go get a local clubs kit and join them :evil:

That’s bollocks!

What about retro kits for example? They’re kinda cool.

I cycle thousands of miles a year, mostly in normal clothes, but what gives me any right to judge somebody else on their attire? Cyclists have enough genuine issues to worry about that we don’t need to start bitching amongst ourselves about who’s costume is sillier. I see a guy all the time who rides his TT bike to work wearing a tri-suit, aero lid and rucksack, he may look like a gimp and ride like one too but at least he’s not in a car.

Also not everyone has to be part of a bike riding club just to ride a bike.

The Full Kit Wa*kers always
The Full Kit Wa*kers always make me smile as invariably it’s full Sky rig & bike, or is around here.

If you’re going to dress the part then expect some knowing smiles as others tap past you effortlessly on the hills, which again, appears the norm around here.

Where wtf you want. If you
Where wtf you want. If you think that the opinions of people who care what you wear (anywhere, not just on the bike) matter, then dress to conform to those opinions. If you don’t think other people’s opinions matter, then wear what you want. Essentially, wear what makes *you* comfortable.

If I see you in full team kit, I will have an opinion – but, crucially, I’ll keep it to myself, so you’ll never need to worry about it. If I see you wearing a pair of white shorts that are worn to transparency in the builder’s cleavage area you may spot the momentary grimace as I avert my eyes, but you still won’t hear an opinion on them from me.

If you want to ride around in a full clown outfit, or a wetsuit and fins, or a little pink tutu; then, more power to you.

Gizmo_ wrote:There is only

Gizmo_ wrote:

There is only one rule as far as I’m concerned, and that is that the crackular region of bib shorts should be black. Always and without exception. No excuses.

Now, if you choose to wear team kit, that’s up to you. I personally think team kit is OK, but I wouldn’t wear national/world champion jersey. Don’t mix it up though: Sky top with Mapei bibs would make my OCD itch.

I must admit anything other than Black shorts can be quite unsightly :&

Rule #14 // Shorts should be black.
Team-issue shorts should be black, with the possible exception of side-panels, which may match the rest of the team kit.