Pro team kit. A big no no?
Comments
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Some interesting points, thanks guys. I just think the pro kit looks so much better!
I suppose Enough people must buy them for rapha (for example) to have team sky kit on sale with so many variants. Dont see why there's such a stigma attached.
Can't see myself buying a club kit and turning up in it on my first ride though, that seems worse than turning up in sky kit (or a mallot jaune).
IME youll put the order in for the club kit and still be waiting 6months later for it to turn up because theres a special discount if they bulk buy at 50 items or something and they are stuck at 49...wont be a turn up on the first ride thing
I think the teamkit thing is changing,and I think team sky are part of that change as more people from a football/rugby background get into cycling, I dont see it as an issue, Ive got plenty of team kit myself, its usually decent quality stuff too, so why the heck not, but just maybe tone it down for the first club run.0 -
too right there is too much envy on hereAnd whilst I do judge people on wearing Team kit (Esp if Team Sky and the (often overweight) rider is riding a black Pinarello with Dura-Ace on it at the same time - which to me screams "All the gear and no idea"..), I won't let that affect having a conversation with that person..
That's part of why I stopped coming on here, that ATGNI attitude. What you mean is you see someone on a decent bike and don't feel they've earned it, esp if said fatty is wearing team kit.
What are we supposed to ride then? Is a Halfords Carrera ok for you? Maybe a bottom of the range Trek with Tiagra? I just don't get the envy - if someone can afford a decent bike they should buy one. How can you tell looking at someone like me, mid 50s, enjoy life so a bit of spare tyre but been riding bikes since I was 7 and have worked up over the years to a lovely top spec carbon Di2 machine (but no team kit thanks), that a nice bike = ATGNI? Who's to say people like that shouldn't ride a bike like that? Just because I never did set the world alight in my younger days and never will now at this age, it's a bit of a commie attitude to sneer at anyone who rides a decent bike but isn't a 26 y-o racing snake with a cupboard full of medals at home.
And how is it always 'No Idea'? Not 'quite handy but never quite made it', or 'strong as an ox and can ride all day but lacks the turn of speed'. No. It's only full-on top club rider or fat idiot with No Idea apparently. I don't know when you last stripped your bike down to the rivets to clean & service it or whether you have to go to the shop to have your tyres blown up, but seeing someone in team kit on a nice bike isn't an indicator of either level of ability. The only indicator you have is your built-in prejudice & envy.
Rejoice that there are enough people willing to pay the money for nice bikes and are keen enough to get out and use them.
<baffled...>0 -
I think what Cib said really sums this bizarre snobbery up (should probably stick this in with the other thread). I will happily wear team kit because I buy it when it is discounted. I have a Garmin Sharp Gilet which cost £20 and is one of the best bits of technical clothing I own. I have some Sky Pro Team Bib shorts which are the best Bib Shorts I own (and much cheaper than the non Sky Rapha shorts) I have a Garmin Cannondale Gabba LS which was cheaper that the non team kit would cost. Why should we have to pay for more expensive clothing because some guys who I don't know and I will never meet tell me I can't. It's strange this cycling lark.0
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I saw someone in a Sky kit, without a helmet and he didn't wave at me.
Have I missed anything0 -
Wear whatever...just look in the mirror first and have some pride in your appearance.
As to 'All The Gear & No Idea' types; we got them all the time in sailing, all the bloody time. It is quite specific though and it's important that the wrong sorts aren't labelled in such a manner. In sailing, one would be ATGNI if you had never been on a boat before and turned up in full offshore kit, with all the top level boots/gloves/bags for a single one day corporate charter on a summers day in the Solent. You are clearly demonstrating that you have, indeed, no idea.
The same can be applied to someone who has not cycled for 30 years and then goes and buys the top level everything. As with the sailing example, even though people are perfectly entitled to do as they wish with their money (or the credit card issuers) hitting the top level kit when you don't actually understand why the top level kit is the price it is and the benefits of purchasing such stuff clearly demonstrates that you are indeed stupid. As a total novice, you simply cannot tell what you require. Certainly a total novice on a yacht that cannot sail having all the most expensive kit is by definition in possession of all the gear with no idea - a statement of fact.
However, applying this statement to someone who is just out of shape, slow, old, young or whatever, without any knowledge of their history is inaccurate and potentially unfair and or a touch of the green eyed monster.
Odd really, in sailing terms, lookout for the folk with knackered old kit - they're the ones with the most experience (usually).Big Red, Blue, Pete, Bill & Doug0 -
It is interesting that this dislike of pro kit is a British thing, when I have asked people in Italy and France what they think, they don't even think it is a topic. Guess that is why there are so many colourfully dressed riders in Europe.0
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It is interesting that this dislike of pro kit is a British thing, when I have asked people in Italy and France what they think, they don't even think it is a topic. Guess that is why there are so many colourfully dressed riders in Europe.
That's probably because 9/10 people you see in pro kit over here an in Sky kit. People who've followed cycling for anything more than a few years don't see Sky as anything worth supporting either. So, the Sky kit thing seems to be mostly a default newbie thing.
All the gear no idea is a separate thing, and it's pretty daft really, anyone can ride what they want and if they can afford it who cares. Of course some things look a bit daft like aero wheels being ridden by a 12mph plodder.0 -
Why exactly do people not see Sky as anything worth supporting?0
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Why exactly do people not see Sky as anything worth supporting?
I think there are, sadly, a number of cyclists who still prefer the "good old days" when cycling was an unpopular sport and we, as a country, were generally a bit rubbish with the odd exception. However, there are also a number of riders who may or may not fall into the bracket above but, in any case, generally dislike the Sky ethos which is very robotic, based on science, numbers, OCD factors like pillows and pineapple juice, etc. The Sky management style also disapproves of the passion and kind of racing that sees Madiot screaming his head off whilst leaning out of a team car banging the door, which is what many riders love about the sport.0 -
It was tongue in cheek, but I see your point. I follow pro racing with a degree of interest and while sky don't excite me much in GTs I do like their classics efforts. G, Rowe, Stannard and to a lesser extent Kennaugh (although he does look fabulous on the bike) (no homo)0
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And whilst I do judge people on wearing Team kit (Esp if Team Sky and the (often overweight) rider is riding a black Pinarello with Dura-Ace on it at the same time - which to me screams "All the gear and no idea"..), I won't let that affect having a conversation with that person.. That's part of why I stopped coming on here, that ATGNI attitude. What you mean is you see someone on a decent bike and don't feel they've earned it, esp if said fatty is wearing team kit.
What are we supposed to ride then? Is a Halfords Carrera ok for you? Maybe a bottom of the range Trek with Tiagra? I just don't get the envy - if someone can afford a decent bike they should buy one. How can you tell looking at someone like me, mid 50s, enjoy life so a bit of spare tyre but been riding bikes since I was 7 and have worked up over the years to a lovely top spec carbon Di2 machine (but no team kit thanks), that a nice bike = ATGNI? Who's to say people like that shouldn't ride a bike like that? Just because I never did set the world alight in my younger days and never will now at this age, it's a bit of a commie attitude to sneer at anyone who rides a decent bike but isn't a 26 y-o racing snake with a cupboard full of medals at home.
And how is it always 'No Idea'? Not 'quite handy but never quite made it', or 'strong as an ox and can ride all day but lacks the turn of speed'. No. It's only full-on top club rider or fat idiot with No Idea apparently. I don't know when you last stripped your bike down to the rivets to clean & service it or whether you have to go to the shop to have your tyres blown up, but seeing someone in team kit on a nice bike isn't an indicator of either level of ability. The only indicator you have is your built-in prejudice & envy.
Rejoice that there are enough people willing to pay the money for nice bikes and are keen enough to get out and use them.
<baffled...>
Super post0 -
Why exactly do people not see Sky as anything worth supporting?
I think there are, sadly, a number of cyclists who still prefer the "good old days" when cycling was an unpopular sport and we, as a country, were generally a bit rubbish with the odd exception. However, there are also a number of riders who may or may not fall into the bracket above but, in any case, generally dislike the Sky ethos which is very robotic, based on science, numbers, OCD factors like pillows and pineapple juice, etc. The Sky management style also disapproves of the passion and kind of racing that sees Madiot screaming his head off whilst leaning out of a team car banging the door, which is what many riders love about the sport.
My guess is that it's in a similar vein to people who like every song by Jeff Beck except "Hi Ho Silver Lining" - they enjoyed being niche, and resent Team Sky for making the sport more popular and taking away the kudos of being into something that's only a minority interest.
With regard to team kit, I wouldn't bother about what someone else wears.Specialized Roubaix Elite 2015
XM-057 rigid 29er0 -
Heigh Ho Silver Lining is the 2nd crappest song ever though, after Come On Eileen. Good point well made though apart from that.0
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Why exactly do people not see Sky as anything worth supporting?
I think there are, sadly, a number of cyclists who still prefer the "good old days" when cycling was an unpopular sport and we, as a country, were generally a bit rubbish with the odd exception. However, there are also a number of riders who may or may not fall into the bracket above but, in any case, generally dislike the Sky ethos which is very robotic, based on science, numbers, OCD factors like pillows and pineapple juice, etc. The Sky management style also disapproves of the passion and kind of racing that sees Madiot screaming his head off whilst leaning out of a team car banging the door, which is what many riders love about the sport.
Trots hate Murdoch and won't buy his papers etc. As a focus group of one I just feel I am being mugged off when I see "As used by Team Sky" written on half the products in the local LBS. I personally love Team Sky but see wearing full team kit as naff0 -
Heigh Ho Silver Lining is the 2nd crappest song ever though, after Come On Eileen. Good point well made though apart from that.
I think if we're going to liken anything to music then Sky are Coldplay. Sky are successful, Coldplay are successful. No problem with that. Both have bland fans with no real taste in those fields though, and anyone wearing a shirt with either Sky or Coldplay on it is advertising the fact that they are bland people.
That said, anyone supporting any cycling team as a whole is a bit weird really, wear their kit and you're actually advertising the fact you're a bit weird. There are a lot of people out there like this and do wear it, but far more who don't and never would wear team kit as they are normal people.0 -
As a 44 yr old guy, possessing a season ticket for a football team and a half decent bicycle ...
I wouldn't wear team kit to the match or on my bike personally! It's a kid thing isn't it?
Having said that, I'm not the greatest rider and I reserve my respect for anyone who just gets out and "does it", regardless of what they are wearing.
I would happily ride with, talk with or be overtaken by anyone wearing whatever the hell they want.
Sometimes we overthink things don't we?
Just ride Still thinking of something clever to say!0 -
Why exactly do people not see Sky as anything worth supporting?
Watch this years TDF and then this years Vuelta for your answer.0 -
I get how people could be unhappy about the clinical and total application of science and the corporitisation of the sport changing it so that it is not the gentlemanly sport of years gone by. But Sky arent the cause of that, it is happening anyway - it has happened one by one to every sport and yes, I lament the way things used to be in many of them, but Sky didnt cause it, they just recognised it and started playing the game quicker than the others. They will all be like this in years to come.
You have to admire Sky for what they have achieved and their dedication to the very ambitious goals that they set themselves - I hate Murdoch and Sky as a company but appreciate what Team Sky have done in Cycling and think that it is only right that many support them. They have done a superb job and have done wonders for British Cycling.0 -
I still wouldnt wear their kit though, its a bit tacky, a bit like wearing Man Utd kit - just too mainstream and the image is tainted by the fact that unknowledgeable people often choose it as they recognise the brand. Not everyone wearing it will fit into this demographic though.
Alot of people wear Sky kit because it was discounted soooo cheaply 18months or so ago and was a great way to get some cheap Rapha kit - cheaper than the non-team branded equivalents from Rapha. I actually bought a pair of the shorts to try as they were almost giving them away, but I didnt like the fit so back they went. I bought my son some Team Garmin Castelli stuff that he wears though - because you wouldnt get a long sleeve Gabba for twice the price I paid for it normally!0 -
Why exactly do people not see Sky as anything worth supporting?
Watch this years TDF and then this years Vuelta for your answer.
As above. It was tongue in cheek. Did you watch the classics this year?0 -
Heigh Ho Silver Lining is the 2nd crappest song ever though, after Come On Eileen. Good point well made though apart from that.
I think if we're going to liken anything to music then Sky are Coldplay. Sky are successful, Coldplay are successful. No problem with that. Both have bland fans with no real taste in those fields though, and anyone wearing a shirt with either Sky or Coldplay on it is advertising the fact that they are bland people.
That said, anyone supporting any cycling team as a whole is a bit weird really, wear their kit and you're actually advertising the fact you're a bit weird. There are a lot of people out there like this and do wear it, but far more who don't and never would wear team kit as they are normal people.
Yes, very weird...0 -
i have meant to post on this thread when it started, i generally don't think anyone looks right in full gear…jersey and shorts and in some cases socks etc. however i have no real issue with a few team jerseys being worn. as a rule i wouldn't wear any team gear for any sport however the slightly strange thing with cycling is how teams get different owners etc relatively often so supporting a team or rider isn't really reflected by wearing a jersey. there is of course an other thing with wearing a jersey that there can be the assumption the wearer tries to ride like the top rider of that team…i.e.. be a sprinter or climber when in reality most of us just ride.
as for the ALTGNI issue, if you have the money do it, the people who claim your not worthy of the gear are basically jealous, end of the day what we all spend on cycling is still probably limited to our finances so those who are lucky to earn a proper wage and afford a new bike every year then good for them!
oh and yes id buy discounted sky gear to get cheaper rapha gear if i needed it.enigma esprit
cannondale caad8 tiagra 20120 -
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That said, anyone supporting any cycling team as a whole is a bit weird really
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Or any other sort of team. Members come and go, if you support a team for ten years you support their management and some of the backroom boys. I once compared this to claiming that you only like films made by Warner Brothers.
And has anyone else got "Hi Ho Silver Lining" stuck in their head?Specialized Roubaix Elite 2015
XM-057 rigid 29er0 -
Love these threads. Says all you need to know about what's good and bad in cycling culture nowadays.0
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I'm in me 50's and have reached a point in life where I respect others opinions but don't give a flying F**k what others think if its narrow minded
Who cares what people wear FFS?
I'm a fan of Pantani and have a few M/Uno jerseys but have the full pink movie star kit from when Contador won the Giro this year (I always wanted a maglia rosa and the full kit (copy) was cheaper than the single jersey). I wore the whole kit riding into work on the night all my health issues started and had to stop at traffic lights at the Albert Dock in Liverpool.
Now......if there was ever a time when the full kit especially in vivid PINK, was an issue, then it was then. Loads of comments and gay boy gestures to the point of me starting to lose it. I then had a word with myself and realised you can't wear pink and not expect some flak. I calmed down and rode on. Advice to the OP is to do what ever you want and wear whatever you want, life's to short to worry about small minded people
bottom line is, all the goons who slag others off are no Pantani's/Contadors or Wiggo's
we all do our best on our bikes, some are better than others but it don't give the better riders free rein to slag others0 -
Heigh Ho Silver Lining is the 2nd crappest song ever though, after Come On Eileen. Good point well made though apart from that.
Good job it was Dexi's that did the record and not Slade. They would have done "Cum on Eileen" which may have upset her somewhat :PRose Xeon CDX 3100, Ultegra Di2 disc (nice weather)
Ribble Gran Fondo, Campagnolo Centaur (winter bike)
Van Raam 'O' Pair
Land Rover (really nasty weather )0 -
Wasn't there a T-shirt doing the rounds that proclaimed "I came on Eileen"?0
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Wear whatever...just look in the mirror first and have some pride in your appearance.
As to 'All The Gear & No Idea' types; we got them all the time in sailing, all the bloody time. It is quite specific though and it's important that the wrong sorts aren't labelled in such a manner. In sailing, one would be ATGNI if you had never been on a boat before and turned up in full offshore kit, with all the top level boots/gloves/bags for a single one day corporate charter on a summers day in the Solent. You are clearly demonstrating that you have, indeed, no idea.
The same can be applied to someone who has not cycled for 30 years and then goes and buys the top level everything. As with the sailing example, even though people are perfectly entitled to do as they wish with their money (or the credit card issuers) hitting the top level kit when you don't actually understand why the top level kit is the price it is and the benefits of purchasing such stuff clearly demonstrates that you are indeed stupid. As a total novice, you simply cannot tell what you require. Certainly a total novice on a yacht that cannot sail having all the most expensive kit is by definition in possession of all the gear with no idea - a statement of fact.
However, applying this statement to someone who is just out of shape, slow, old, young or whatever, without any knowledge of their history is inaccurate and potentially unfair and or a touch of the green eyed monster.
Odd really, in sailing terms, lookout for the folk with knackered old kit - they're the ones with the most experience (usually).
I'm more "sotgli" personally ...
Some of the gear, little idea
I'm working on it though!Still thinking of something clever to say!0 -
I do judge some things about people's setups. I noticed that several people on the last group ride had their bars at the wrong angle without the drops being level. I noticed several had saddlebags that were improperly mounted and swinging like a sac. I saw some people with jackets that were filling with air like a parachute. The one guy that had a vintage team jersey - no, I didn't think anything negative about that. He is just having fun. It is ludicrous for anyone to think that he is pretending to be on the team.
I have an Aircode with FDJ graphics. I am not into the French team but it just happens to be the bike that I ended up with. I bought matching water bottles and bib / jersey just to have them as they match the bike. Since I am not in France, or even in Europe, no one is going to think I am trying to pretend I am on the team. Besides, it is a 2014 color scheme and the team wears a different color plan now.
I have not wore the clothes on a ride. I am not afraid to - I just prefer solid colors now.
I would say wear it if you want to - but not on the first ride with a new group.0 -
Some guy on a recent group ride had 80mm aero wheels am I am pretty sure he averaged about 13 mph because I was only doing about 15.5 and never saw him the entire ride. It was very windy too by the ocean, so he really must have had a hard time.Of course some things look a bit daft like aero wheels being ridden by a 12mph plodder.0
