So I want to get a bib and jersey nd m wondering what the rules are. Does the color have to match your bike. Do you have to have your bike brand. I am not part of a team or anything so should I stay from certain brands. I am looking for a red white black color combo that's fairly inexpensive. Anyone have websites to guide me. Thanks and sorry if this is a dumb post.
STLBILLY
No rules.
Cheap stuff does not last and everything fits everyone differently.
Buy your kit in a store if you're a noob so you can try it on and check out the fit.
Cheap stuff does not last and everything fits everyone differently.
Buy your kit in a store if you're a noob so you can try it on and check out the fit.
The rule is: don't feel obliged to buy a 150$ kit because the LBS staff tells you "that's the price you pay for good quality/durable/comfortable/whatever."
"cheap stuff doesn't last" is utter BS. I've got a number of cheap kits (<50$) which I bought 5 years ago and still use. The problem is finding the right quality for the price. Usually stuff directbuy out of China is pretty crappy. I don't know about more mass-market LBS stores like Performance, but you can try looking on the internet for websites like wiggle, probikekit, and chainreactioncycle. They often have sales on clothing, and their in-house clothing can be pretty inexpensive if bought at the right moment.
I got my cheapo kits at the french sports store decathlon, and for the price it was really good quality.
The rest is entirely up to you, no one will care what brand or color you are wearing. IMO, matching your bibs/jersey to your bike is more pleasing to the eye, but everyone has their own tastes.
"cheap stuff doesn't last" is utter BS. I've got a number of cheap kits (<50$) which I bought 5 years ago and still use. The problem is finding the right quality for the price. Usually stuff directbuy out of China is pretty crappy. I don't know about more mass-market LBS stores like Performance, but you can try looking on the internet for websites like wiggle, probikekit, and chainreactioncycle. They often have sales on clothing, and their in-house clothing can be pretty inexpensive if bought at the right moment.
I got my cheapo kits at the french sports store decathlon, and for the price it was really good quality.
The rest is entirely up to you, no one will care what brand or color you are wearing. IMO, matching your bibs/jersey to your bike is more pleasing to the eye, but everyone has their own tastes.
^^+1!! I have 2 sets purchased from ebay (through China) that I find very comfortable and have held up great. Both were <$50 shipped to my front door. Granted from China it takes a little while at about 10 business days, but well worth it. Just be sure to look at the size charts as they run about a size and a half small compared to the US. Example, I usually wear a large to x-large, but with the China gear, I'm a 2XL. One is alot louder than the other (Rock Racing) with skulls and tribal designs and the other is simple red/white with black bibs. Looking at a thermal pant/long sleeve set for the Winter. If you take care of them properly (wash and hang dry), they will last.
it may be a placebo effect, but my "nicer" bibs and jerseys feel nicer, and I prefer wearing them.
there are no hard and fast rules about names, logos, whatever, but i prefer low key kit, because vodafone doesn't cut me a check to advertise for them. but it's really just a question of taste.
also, avoid white bibs unless you like showing everyone your junk
there are no hard and fast rules about names, logos, whatever, but i prefer low key kit, because vodafone doesn't cut me a check to advertise for them. but it's really just a question of taste.
also, avoid white bibs unless you like showing everyone your junk
As far as the look goes, it's all about what you like.
As for quality, I have yet to find evidence of a reliable "rule" one way or the other. I've had expensive and cheap stuff that's felt awesome and lasted a long time and I've had expensive and cheap stuff that's sucked and worn out (or more commonly ripped a seam) after just a ride or two.
I'd say the best advice is to buy something that looks and feels good and is at a price you're comfortable with. Then either stick with it next time or try something else.
As for quality, I have yet to find evidence of a reliable "rule" one way or the other. I've had expensive and cheap stuff that's felt awesome and lasted a long time and I've had expensive and cheap stuff that's sucked and worn out (or more commonly ripped a seam) after just a ride or two.
I'd say the best advice is to buy something that looks and feels good and is at a price you're comfortable with. Then either stick with it next time or try something else.
If you're going to go with "team" kit. Make sure it matches. Don't wear Rabobank jerseys with Garmin bibs.
Don't succumb to buying a "leader's jersey" or a championship jersy.
Don't wear an event jersey unless you've ridden it. Example - don't go out and buy and then wear an official Triple Bypass jersey unless you rode the Triple Bypass.
Contrary to the opinion of some people Livestrong kit is cool, provided it's official. Some chinese-sourced Livestrong kit is questionable.
All-black bibs go with anything and are therefore cool.
Don't succumb to buying a "leader's jersey" or a championship jersy.
Don't wear an event jersey unless you've ridden it. Example - don't go out and buy and then wear an official Triple Bypass jersey unless you rode the Triple Bypass.
Contrary to the opinion of some people Livestrong kit is cool, provided it's official. Some chinese-sourced Livestrong kit is questionable.
All-black bibs go with anything and are therefore cool.
this is pure personal opiinon, but I also think that there is such a thing as TOO matching.
getting a matching saddle, tires, valve stem caps, shoes, socks, bibs, helmet, jersey, bar tape looks cheesy imo.
even with celeste, which is just about the pinnacle of cool cycling colors, people often overdo the celeste on the bike, and only make it worse when they wear celeste kit, with celeste helmet, and dye their hair celeste, etc.
getting a matching saddle, tires, valve stem caps, shoes, socks, bibs, helmet, jersey, bar tape looks cheesy imo.
even with celeste, which is just about the pinnacle of cool cycling colors, people often overdo the celeste on the bike, and only make it worse when they wear celeste kit, with celeste helmet, and dye their hair celeste, etc.
Wud up Billy. Welcome to the spandex club. Not only are bibs good for cycling, they are great if you decide the sport isn’t for you and decide you want to get into pro wrestling!
Personally, I prefer a more nondescript black bib short with minimal logos. So no team Garmin or Saxo Bank team kit for me. Although I have seen others rock that look, it’s rare. For the most part (and I mean 90% of people I see), people wear non pro team bibs – so something like PI, Giordana, LG, Castelli, and all the many other brands. I see a bit more pro team jerseys worn with regular bibs but still not many at all. IMO, a pro team kit is over the top and one that matches the bike is even more over the top, but that’s just my opinion. Shyte, why not die your hair to match while your at it?
I wouldn’t order from Ebay. If you want to order on line (I know it’s much cheaper), then go with a vendor that has a good return policy, offers options, and has reviews – like a Nashbar or Performance. There are lots of on line places but those are good places to start, especially for a newb.
Personally, I prefer a more nondescript black bib short with minimal logos. So no team Garmin or Saxo Bank team kit for me. Although I have seen others rock that look, it’s rare. For the most part (and I mean 90% of people I see), people wear non pro team bibs – so something like PI, Giordana, LG, Castelli, and all the many other brands. I see a bit more pro team jerseys worn with regular bibs but still not many at all. IMO, a pro team kit is over the top and one that matches the bike is even more over the top, but that’s just my opinion. Shyte, why not die your hair to match while your at it?
I wouldn’t order from Ebay. If you want to order on line (I know it’s much cheaper), then go with a vendor that has a good return policy, offers options, and has reviews – like a Nashbar or Performance. There are lots of on line places but those are good places to start, especially for a newb.
I now wear the kit that my team makes me buy for most rides. Before I started riding with teams, or when it's dirty, I prefer plainer clothes. I'd rather a company pay me to wear their brand name. Or at least, give money or other considerations to my team, as the case may be. Otherwise, I'm much happier with a little Pearl Izumi logo somewhere unobtrusive than a ginormous S all over my chest and back.
Although I have to admit that I get a kick out of some of the fun stuff out there. I have a Metallica jersey. It's the thing I miss most about racing with a team - I got a ton of crowd support when I wore that jersey! And I think I'd get a kick out of wearing this too.
http://elevengear.com/satv.html
Last season, my team wore Voler. They have direct-to-consumer on their web site, and some fairly good prices.
As others have said, don't wear championship or race leader reproduction jerseys. I think it's lame to wear trade team kit too, although I can't put my finger on why I think that's not okay, but it seems to be fine to wear Bulls or Yankees uniform pieces.
I used to just get black shorts and order my jerseys a la carte.
Although I have to admit that I get a kick out of some of the fun stuff out there. I have a Metallica jersey. It's the thing I miss most about racing with a team - I got a ton of crowd support when I wore that jersey! And I think I'd get a kick out of wearing this too.
http://elevengear.com/satv.html
Last season, my team wore Voler. They have direct-to-consumer on their web site, and some fairly good prices.
As others have said, don't wear championship or race leader reproduction jerseys. I think it's lame to wear trade team kit too, although I can't put my finger on why I think that's not okay, but it seems to be fine to wear Bulls or Yankees uniform pieces.
I used to just get black shorts and order my jerseys a la carte.
Velominati › The Rules
Most bibs are black. It's something you have to test fit at the LBS before you buy.
Jerseys... wear whatever you want. If you want a red/white/black and you can find one that fits... go right ahead.
For example: (from Pearl Izumi)
Jerseys
Jerseys
Jerseys
Velominati › The Rules
Velominati › The Rules
Velominati › The Rules
those are the general rules.
Most bibs are black. It's something you have to test fit at the LBS before you buy.
Jerseys... wear whatever you want. If you want a red/white/black and you can find one that fits... go right ahead.
For example: (from Pearl Izumi)
Jerseys
Jerseys
Jerseys
I will compensate the velominati "rules" by giving you the Official Rules of the Euro Cyclist
Contrary to velominaty, OREC recommends white as the most acceptable color. Bibs should be white, as well as gloves, with white saddle and bartape for matching.
Similarly to velominati, OREC also considers wearing team kits/leaders/championship jerseys when you have not participated in the event or aren't a member of the team a no-no.
Contrary to velominaty, OREC recommends white as the most acceptable color. Bibs should be white, as well as gloves, with white saddle and bartape for matching.
Similarly to velominati, OREC also considers wearing team kits/leaders/championship jerseys when you have not participated in the event or aren't a member of the team a no-no.
On a strictly personal note .....
As a rule I don't wear promotional jerseys from manufacturers and even LBSs.
I have a basic problem with paying someone else - sometimes a lot of money - so they can advertise on my body. I think there is something fundamentally wrong with that equation. I temper that with the belief that sometimes you still have to represent, like if a shop throws in a jersey or some other branded kiton a big purchase , or state jerseys. Stuff like that.
As a rule I don't wear promotional jerseys from manufacturers and even LBSs.
I have a basic problem with paying someone else - sometimes a lot of money - so they can advertise on my body. I think there is something fundamentally wrong with that equation. I temper that with the belief that sometimes you still have to represent, like if a shop throws in a jersey or some other branded kiton a big purchase , or state jerseys. Stuff like that.
So are these too loud 
. Either way, I like them and rock'em proud.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/120926020853?var=420080594963&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
. Either way, I like them and rock'em proud.http://www.ebay.com/itm/120926020853?var=420080594963&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1439.l2649
As long as we're on the subject of kit and The Rules, the Velominati just posted a new piece on their blog on The Best Kit Ever
Velominati › Best Kit Ever?
Velominati › Best Kit Ever?
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