Replica Team Jerseys - Yes or No

dannbodge

So I'm stuck at the minute

I really like the Lotto Soudal team jerseys

The "rules" say No but I'm unsure if I should get one or not.

In my opinion it's no worse than Dave turning up down the pub in his football kit?

What are your opinions?

pblakeney

Rules?
Who pays attention to them?

qube

In my opinion, it's as bad as Dave turning up at the pub in his wife's dress and a wig.

It's a no from me.

PS... I like the Lotto Soudal kit too though. I have one of their bidons I caught at the TDF a few moons ago, and I use it.

Flâneur

yes, as long as you are on the bike and not down the pub. It is no worse than John or Jane Doe wearing a strip down the 5 a side court.

Wear what you want, if it fits and is comfortable. Pink, black, fluro. Anything except lilac, scrap that if you pull off lilac, nail it

Just make sure you are smiling as you ride, or suffering

pippi_langsamer-2

It's a "no", from me too I'm afraid LOL.

I just don't see the point- why pay someone (over the odds), to advertise their products for them :?:

There's so many good cycle clothing brands about now, I'm sure you can find a suitable design that you like without having to resort to football mentality?

londoncommuter

Shorts if they're a clearance bargain and with discrete logos.

Jerseys NO (unless they're an obscure team from Belgium in the 70's).

meanredspider

Life is far too short to worry about what anybody thinks about what you wear.

Despite what some people think, the vast majority think cycling gear looks terrible anyway. Worry about something more important

meesterbond

Dannbodge wrote:

In my opinion it's no worse than Dave turning up down the pub in his football kit?

I'd agree, although you have to ask yourself, if Dave did turn up wearing a football kit, would you really want to drink with him?

I remember when pro-team kits were actually a really cheap way of buying bib shorts and jerseys - they were dirt cheap, particularly at the end of the season... not sure that's the case any more.

fenix

Those 'rules' are for muppets. It's your life - wear what you like. Do you really care what others think ?

99% of the population already have you down as a lycra pervert - so the top really isn't going to matter.

cgfw201

No.

Mainly because I can't understand why you would.

There's so much nicer kit made by large and small cycling brands, why associate yourself with a pro team? They're all juiced up for starters.

StillGoing

Wear what you want although I have caveats with that. Champions stripes are a definite no. KOM jerseys are a no if you're a lardy. Full team kits if you've the physique to carry it off.

fat daddy

what ever you wear someone will have an opinion on it ... hell if you wear a Rapha or Lidl top someone somewhere will manage to judge you on it ...... so really, wear what you like because it makes no difference to being judged

kingstongraham

If it's cheap enough.

daniel_b

meanredspider wrote:

Life is far too short to worry about what anybody thinks about what you wear.

Despite what some people think, the vast majority think cycling gear looks terrible anyway. Worry about something more important

Absolutely, who gives a fig what someone else thinks - if you like it, have the cash, then wear it, and enjoy it, you are only here once after all.

The TDF shop often has sales on official kit, I bought a Direct Energie jersey from them - I also have a couple of JLT Condor ones, which were something silly like £25 instead of £120 (Condor had a sale) - so better quality than a full RRP £60 jersey anyday of the week.

Rules in an instance like this, are for those who want or need to conform.

step83

Personally no, only reason being what cgfw201 said, you can pick up decent jerseys for less but, if the colourway tickles your fancy dive in.
I have a one semi team bit which is a pair of MucOff branded bibs which are rapidly turning into a favourite mainly for the comfort but also the comments you get wearing grey and pink camo shorts.

londoncommuter

Daniel B wrote:

meanredspider wrote:

Life is far too short to worry about what anybody thinks about what you wear.

Despite what some people think, the vast majority think cycling gear looks terrible anyway. Worry about something more important

Absolutely, who gives a fig what someone else thinks - if you like it, have the cash, then wear it, and enjoy it, you are only here once after all.

The TDF shop often has sales on official kit, I bought a Direct Energie jersey from them - I also have a couple of JLT Condor ones, which were something silly like £25 instead of £120 (Condor had a sale) - so better quality than a full RRP £60 jersey anyday of the week.

Rules in an instance like this, are for those who want or need to conform.

Exactly my point, I got probably the same Condor kit, some shorts which were top of the line £130 Mavic for some daft price. Funnily enough I still haven't worn them as I don't have the same penchant for yellow that you do....

Club kit is fine but as long as you're getting a big discount, not paying a premium.

meanredspider

The thing is that most pro team kits look infinitely better than local club teams kits which are universally terrible.

cgfw201

meanredspider wrote:

The thing is that most pro team kits look infinitely better than local club teams kits which are universally terrible.

95% of them are. Usually haven't changed since 1963. Some, mostly newer ones, do a better job. A lot don't though.

Matthewfalle

Yes, yes and more yes.

Wear what you want.

w00dster

If you like it then go for it. No one judges.....well, maybe some do. My wife who isn't really a cyclist will quite often say "Oohh Fabien's let himself go since retiring" when we see someone fully kitted out. No idea where she gets that from!
Personally I wouldn't wear team kit, even though I have quite a lot picked up for free or pretty much next to nothing. I mainly just use it for indoor training.
KOM Jerseys, Yellow Leaders Jersey, World Champs Stripes etc, are in my opinion earned only. I know its different in other sports, but in cycling you earn the right to wear a certain jersey and the jersey should be respected.
I do like the Lotto Soudal team kit though. As mentioned above, what ever you wear someone will have an opinion. Some of the jerseys I wear are quite feminine (think Rapha pink), I have shaved legs and I'm as skinny as anything - I get ripped to pieces by my family. Who cares as its mainly just light hearted fun.

philbar72

do as you likey.

jgsi

Mainstream team replica kit is NOT what is supplied to the team..case in point is the Movistar Endura jersey or speed suit ..The team have the technical fabric and innovation ,you the punter do not..but you are paying a price nonetheless. My club kit is hi end Bioracer. So Club kit need not be inferior. , but depends on the club. My Bretagne Seche jersey is pukka tho. ..it's got 4 rear pockets...extra 1 for the pharma.

Can you get the see thru Sky kit by the way?

darkhairedlord

worryingly, you drink where people wear football tops?

JesseD

It’s a no from me, as others have said why pay money to wear kit plastered with advertising all over it, just looks a bit naff but that’s my opinion, plus it looks a bit wannabe (I think the same of football kits etc as well)

Wold Champ stripes/KOM Jerseys/Race leaders jerseys are a definite no-no, they have to be earned.

Club kit is fine as long as you are a member of that club, and yes it is mainly awful!

There is so much choice out there now that is a lot nicer than any of the replica team kit I have seen that I would struggle to understand why anyone would want to wear replica kit, the only caveat to that is the retro cool kits from years ago, but that’s only if you are riding a matching bike from said era and are riding something like the Erocia.

meanredspider

Actually the cost bit is interesting. I have a couple of bits of Rapha stuff with Sky on it (not full team, I should add) which I bought because it was heavily discounted and was much cheaper than the plain versions (t-shirt and Brevet jersey). I'd much rather it didn't have Sky on it because I've had Sky as my only TV option in the Highlands (bizarrely too close to the TV mast) and I hate them. But it was dirt cheap.

daniel_b

meanredspider wrote:

Actually the cost bit is interesting. I have a couple of bits of Rapha stuff with Sky on it (not full team, I should add) which I bought because it was heavily discounted and was much cheaper than the plain versions (t-shirt and Brevet jersey). I'd much rather it didn't have Sky on it because I've had Sky as my only TV option in the Highlands (bizarrely too close to the TV mast) and I hate them. But it was dirt cheap.

I too have a long sleeve full Sky jersey, which was from back in the days when they had their ebay outlet - IIRC, it cost me the princely sum of £34, instead of £120.

I personally would never wear it as a top layer (Cos I dislike the colours), but it has been worn outside under a jacket, but predominantly I use it on the turbo in the depths of winter - it's a top quality garment, and well worth £34!

kingstongraham

I've got an Aero Race in Garmin colours that cost me about £20, bought to see how ludicrous I looked in it. It looks like children's clothing when not being worn, but I really like it.

Felt a bit daft when wearing it riding in Gran Canaria and got caught by a group of riders wearing Sky and Wiggins replica kit that turned out not to be replica.

londoncommuter

meanredspider wrote:

Actually the cost bit is interesting. I have a couple of bits of Rapha stuff with Sky on it (not full team, I should add) which I bought because it was heavily discounted and was much cheaper than the plain versions (t-shirt and Brevet jersey). I'd much rather it didn't have Sky on it because I've had Sky as my only TV option in the Highlands (bizarrely too close to the TV mast) and I hate them. But it was dirt cheap.

My Team Sky Adidas bibs that cost £19 are still going strong and I was gutted to miss the Rapha Pro Team ones they offloaded for a paltry £38. Still regretting that. Darn. Still not sure I could ever do a Sky jersey though, however cheap.

meanredspider

londoncommuter wrote:

My Team Sky Adidas bibs that cost £19 are still going strong and I was gutted to miss the Rapha Pro Team ones they offloaded for a paltry £38. Still regretting that. Darn. Still not sure I could ever do a Sky jersey though, however cheap.

I had wondered about the Sharpie thing but the logos are very small. I realised that I also have the Merino hoodie which is one of my favourite winter items of casual clothing. I liked it so much I bought another, non-Sky, one. I also happened across a picture of Froome and Wiggins wearing the Sky one which looks to be exactly the same thing (I don't suppose you can get more "technical" Merino needed for casual wear). I think I paid less than 30% of RRP

joncomelately

I tend to think if you have to worry about how you look, then what you are doing is not sport, it's fashion. Wear what you want and enjoy being you. Unless you enjoy worrying about it, then do that.

chippyk

I've no issue with it, although too much, say gloves, shorts, jersey and socks isn't a good look. To be fair though you can get some good quality kit cheap at seasons end.

I got some Sky Pro Team bibs from Rapha as they were getting rid for £56, couldn't do a jersey though, and years ago some team issue Lotto Belisol stuff, shorts, gilet and Winter Jacket a few years ago for about 25% of their RRP. It's cracking kit for the price, a Vermarc PRR winter jacket for 60 quid if I remember rightly.