Rule #28: “White is old school cool. Black is cool too, but were given a bad image by a Texan whose were too long. If you feel you must go colored, make sure they damn well match your kit.”
You bet white is old school and for good reason, it is the only color of cycling socks that is truly acceptable. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, what color did Merckx wear? What color did Jesus wear in his all-too-short cycling career, Kelly, Coppi, Rik Van Steenbergen, Rik Van Looy, I could go on and on. Not one of them have worn anything but white socks. Years back, black shorts were a regulation of the cyclist’s uniform. It may have not occurred to people to try other colors but black shorts were the only allowed color. Perhaps white socks fell under the same regulations; I’ll let @Oli answer that question. Black socks, god damn it people, are not cool, maybe on a mountain bike while getting wicked air, but not in the world of road riding.
I’m obviously outnumbered by the other Keepers here or the Rule would be three words, “Socks are white.” Every one of the Keeper’s executive board meetings seems to end with me drunkenly banging the table, paraphrasing Bones, “In the name of humanity, Jim, Rule #28 must be revised,” as I slowly slide off my chair and disappear under the table into a puddle of my own sick.
Only in the last fifteen years have the standards been lowered and now it’s a total confusion of bad taste. Again I implore the jury, have we no pride in our guns? A tanned, shaved, well-honed gun can only be properly punctuated by a white sock. Granted the sock pool has become so fouled it’s nearly impossible to even find all-white socks so I won’t be an absolutists (cognoscenti?) but please, mostly white. I won’t even argue length, I find tall socks (Wiggo tall) an abomination but I guess that shows how damn old I am.
Let’s reverse the trend. We have wasted too much energy worrying about podium caps when not many of us are on the podium yet each and every day we ride we make a decision about our socks. If you want to look Pro, get in the know, have a sack, don’t wear black. Write your local Keeper and make your position known.
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@huffalotpuffalot
There is but one word to describe the exhibit of Manx projectile in green, blasphemy. You earn the green jersey, not the green outfit.
@sgt
Part of the reason this isn't as high on the priority list as some of you would like is because the socs would just be white, maybe with a thin black or orange line at the top. Always remember: don't over-match your shit.
@Sam
That is very promising. We'll see if he stops acting like such a douche too. Its possible, it happened to Cuddles.
Seems to me that all of this seriously weakens the case for anything other than black or white shoes on an entirely weather dependent basis. It would take some masterful work to pull off red shoes but as far as green and yellow go, even if you've earn't the jerseys on the tour, yellow or green shoes are a complete no go area!
The only exception in the photos above would be Pantani, he's looking rather fine there but it's not a look for mortals.
Shoe/sock colour in cross country mountain biking should be similarly viewed, your'e going to get muddy so black. I found the more gravity assisted part of the sport to impossible to get right so opted for shin pads and/or moto inspired trousers but only in black, none of the Troy Lee pyjama malarkey.
RE: Sidi sizing - I have some 2007 Genius 6.6s in a 43, fit very nicely. In 2010 Ergo 2s I had to go down to a 42. I hope this is a model sizing issue and not the sign that even Italian shoe makers are getting lazy about sizing. I sure as heck know I keep on needing smaller sized clothes to fit me, as I think they're bumping them up to accommodate the ever-expanding U.S. waistline.
@frank
i really hope so, out here in the uk he's our most successful sportsman atm it'd be really good for him to be accepted on the world stage, although i get the impression that he doesn't care, which i actually kinda like, bit of a paradox
@frank
And a V-cog, please.
@Ron
Absolutely not! Anything but black boots (not cleats, for chrissakes!) is a crime and you're probably one of those flopping drama queens who get shot three or four times a game (and don't tell me you also have that god-awful tongue that covers the laces, too). That, or you're a prima donna with custom shoes (which means you're both). This is not a good look on the pitch and should be avoided at all costs. Am I digressing? You bet your white socks I am, but this is important. Exhibit A: what color boots is Vinnie wearing?
@Steampunk
Spot on, nipple lube and +1. Football or rugby, black boots only.
The kid wasn't wearing black boots, he dived.
@Chris
...or deserved to be chopped down...