Maybe I'll just go naked....

[Lewis Moon]

Every time I grab some kit out of the dresser to go for a ride, I’m presented with the question: What the hell do I REALLY want to look like when I’m on the bike? I’m usually a form-follows-function guy (and cheap is a required function), but all too often, I catch a glance in the hall mirror on my way out and want to gack. I’m usually either dressed in the kit of at least three of the different teams I’ve ridden for, or I look like some ghastly old Fred and I should just get it over with and clip a rear view mirror on my glasses. I’m hopeless.

I don’t like novelty jerseys (ironic or otherwise). Pro team kit is for fans…and who can predict which team is going to do the doping implosion next? Rapha is nice stuff but more than a bit too snobby/poseur/hipster for me…and for that price it should come with a lifetime Starbucks card, seeing as that’s where I see it most. I really don’t like advertising for folks that don’t pay me, so printing Pearl Izumi or Louis Garneau in big letters on the jersey just turns me off. What’s a boy to do?

Lately I’ve taken to buying the cheapest kit I can find from “no-name” local teams and hoping I don’t see some Gacy-esque character wearing it on the front page of USA Today. Then again, I worry that someone will mistake me for someone who can, you know, actually ride.

…and I give my daughter grief for being fashion conscious. Sheesh.

[William]

You're in luck! The Paceline forum jerseys will be coming your way just in time for Spring.;)





William

[MattTuck]

Here's an option. (http://www.ehow.com/how_7711568_sew-own-cycling-jersey.html)

[mcteague]

Now tell me this does not look good!

Tim

[JayBay]

I like to support local shops, or cool shops in places I visit. So if I stumble across a good-looking shop kit I'll go with that. Or my regular team/club kit.

[Vientomas]

Now tell me this does not look good!

Tim

Johan Museeuw has not aged well.

[67-59]

Warning - going naked this time of year can cause shrinkage.

[dogdriver]

Since we're on the fashion kick, here's my criteria: No elite team kit, even if its free, and, never wear tops and bottoms from the same team. Bike shop top and black bottoms, or team shorts and plain top are my usual getup.

[Jaq]

I'm just sorta tired of being a rolling Pearl Izumi ad. Socks, leg warmers, most of my shorts/bibs, gloves, and my two solid black jerseys.

That's the one thing I do like about Rapha; their kit are really classically simple. Now if only I could justify owning some...

[Llewellyn]

Every time I grab some kit out of the dresser to go for a ride, I’m presented with the question: What the hell do I REALLY want to look like when I’m on the bike?

I'm too old to care about this anymore :)

[Louis]

I’m usually a form-follows-function guy

So why don't you just stick to that? Simple enough, and it solves all your problems.

[tiretrax]

Get rid of the old team kit and buy some jerseys from one brand.

[MattTuck]

There is another option...

http://www.cyclebucket.com/images/mariocipo1.jpg

[pdmtong]

now the wells fargo kit makes sense.

[kenw]

black tights or shorts, plain jersey (yellow or hi-viz), rear-view
mirror on my glasses

[rando]

If your mentality is dragging you down enough to push you into posting this, correct it. Life is funner when you enjoy it. Bin the old kits and get yourself something with a chamois nicer than you need and some jerseys with barely a hint of who made them. Those two together speak loudly about what they were made for.

Basically if you can't look at yourself it is time to ditch sentiment and put a grin back on your face.

:banana:

[ofcounsel]

I despise fancy billboard type riding kits. Sometimes I ride "almost" naked. I just can't stand getting my forehead sunburnt.

http://i150.photobucket.com/albums/s81/ofcounsel/80265031hdkjXxVE_zps61642529.jpg

[rando]

How is that plastic bag treating you? Hate to be behind you when you get a lather up.

[Louis]

Now THAT is just about the scariest image I've seen in a long time. :eek::eek::eek:

However, that cute chick does seem to be checking him out out of the corner of her eye, so you never know, he may be a real stud. Can't really tell from this angle...

[savine]

black shorts is the way to go and one at the max two coloured jersey.....from assos, you can never go wrong. though i do like some the kits the same yank teams have. that geekhouse cross team get up is sweet.:banana:

[Lewis Moon]

In case (some of) you missed it, the OP arises more from a tongue-in-cheek assessment of my rather glaring and shabby appearance on the bike, than any real angst. In my neck of the woods I often see (like yesterday) folks out riding; new, shiny, expensive CF bike with matching kit, right down to the helmet and shoes. That's in stark contrast to the crashed on, purple and mint green (think Miami Vice) '80s team jersey over blue and orange (other) team shorts, baby blue Sidis and green helmet. Add to that a RW&B Pegoretti gilet I got off e-bay for $8.50 and you have the look. If there was a cycling "Goodwill" I would look like I shopped there. I DO shop there...It's called the Paceline Marketplace (no offence intended...really).
I really don't mind my kit (much), I'm just reminded of how awful I appear every time my wife and daughter groan and roll their eyes as I walk out the door. I once picked my daughter up from school in full BikeHobo kit, only to have her hide behind her friends and try not to acknowledge my presance.

Truth be told, I wouldn't have it any other way. Like I said, form follows function, and a LOT of that function is low price. I wear my 20 year old jersies proudly...because I loved racing and because I can still get into them.

[Llewellyn]

In case (some of) you missed it, the OP arises more from a tongue-in-cheek assessment of my rather glaring and shabby appearance on the bike, than any real angst. In my neck of the woods I often see (like yesterday) folks out riding; new, shiny, expensive CF bike with matching kit, right down to the helmet and shoes. That's in stark contrast to the crashed on, purple and mint green (think Miami Vice) '80s team jersey over blue and orange (other) team shorts, baby blue Sidis and green helmet. Add to that a RW&B Pegoretti gilet I got off e-bay for $8.50 and you have the look. If there was a cycling "Goodwill" I would look like I shopped there. I DO shop there...It's called the Paceline Marketplace (no offence intended...really).


I find your adopted approach far more palatable than the first one (except for the green helmet) :)

[Ralph]

I got a mirror for my riding glasses this year.....and now wonder why I didn't do that 20 years ago. Now I can see what's coming up behind me. "Signed", Fred

[bluesea]

bluesea's rule #1: As long as it says "Italia".


http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8346/8279469924_1305814297_c.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmode/8279469924/)
century2012-1 (http://www.flickr.com/photos/pigmode/8279469924/) by pigmode (http://www.flickr.com/people/pigmode/), on Flickr

[neiltron]

Have a look at Voler (http://www.voler.com/). Reasonable prices, made in the USA. I own some of their bib shorts and they are just fine.

[jasonlee]

I've been loving my Cedar Cycling (http://cedarcycling.com) jerseys. Made in California (yeah, that's in the USA!), Merino wool blend jerseys - wool on your skin, nylon abrasion resistant on the outside!

It worked great in the morning chill and daytime heat of Moab when I was rolling around on slickrock, outside Enterprise, NV and on Gooseberry Mesa above Hurricane, UT on a week long MTB trip last spring.
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7208/7137027393_561fcb7fa7_z.jpg

Here's one of the original black jerseys.
http://distilleryimage1.s3.amazonaws.com/8bdeea4488af11e18bb812313804a181_7.jpg

I have one of their new jerseys as well and it's very nice. The stitching isn't that cheap "race inspired", disposable R*pha stuff and the price isn't that level either, but is much nicer product.
http://distilleryimage3.s3.amazonaws.com/6b5f2b90595f11e2871d22000a1f92db_7.jpg

People have been tagging their photos of the jersey on them with #cedarfits (http://web.stagram.com/tag/cedarfits/). You can see their weight, height, shoulder width and the size jersey they have.

All the jerseys on me are size Small. I weigh 145lbs, 5'9", 38 chest.

[blessthismess]

Now tell me this does not look good!

Tim

I hope i am half that cool when im his age

[Steve in SLO]

now the wells fargo kit makes sense.

Wells Fargo Kit, here modelled by the legendary Henry James Monk, would ROCK on a bike:

[slidey]

The kits sure *look* nice, but WHOA...I don't think I've ever heard of Rapha stuff being disposable before this. Of course, I've never used Rapha because of the prohibitive pricing, so can't be sure either.

The stitching isn't that cheap "race inspired", disposable R*pha stuff and the price isn't that level either, but is much nicer product.

[Bradford]

I grew up playing hockey. Most of us wore ratty, mismatched stuff that was just lying in the bottom of our hockey bag. If it smelled to high heaven, even better.

All of this fashion stuff is unseemly at best and unmanly at worst. Just stop worrying about it, dress the way that amuses you, and don't give a crap about anything else.

[Muffin Man]

Black is good.

[Bob Loblaw]

Refer to rules 14-18. (http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/)

BL

[Lewis Moon]

Refer to rules 14-18. (http://www.velominati.com/the-rules/)

BL

HA! Bookmarked.

[rando]

I ride in actual Winter conditions, a lot. Other than neoprene booties, not much cycling specific clothing was used. It worked well enough but looked awful. Last night I broke down and bought a full Winter kit in bright matching colors.

Dues were paid towards keeping old stuff in rotation. If I'm out doing hill repeats in well below freezing weather there is no reason not to look good and be more efficient. Skin tight Windstopper has to be better than a flapping nylon windbreaker with insulating layers tucked into mountaineering pants.

Lewis Moon, as the local PBS station reminds listeners to their radio programs, "All things were once new." A modern pro caliber jersey and shorts really may be good for everyone. Including the groaners and bemoaners. Nothing wrong with the ladies enjoying your presence either.