How they must wish they were born long ago, in a simpler time, when bikes were made by artisans, not robots, and they were shiny and classy, much like the automobiles of the same era. When the only substances they need ingest came from a decanter, and they could enjoy a quiet smoke along with their tipple. And they certainly long to be able to wear a long trenchcoat and Aviators on the way to the podium, or a crisp single-breasted suit with a smart Trilby, perfect attire for lounging after winning a Classic, or attending a Gentleman’s Club, rather than wrapped in nylon and dipped head to toe in fluoro paint and topped off with something more commonly seen at Yankee Stadium.
Just look at these pillars of style. They never had to fear the beginning of the season, when their DS would toss them a few plastic bags and tell them “this is what we wear this year.” They knew exactly what they were getting; solid colours, no fancy fonts, the main sponsor easily read in bold lettering, and black fucking shorts. There was no apprehension when moving to a new team about what hue of pink or aqua or yellow they would be subjected to. They knew hey were going to Look Fantastic.
Unless, of course, they’d signed for Atala.
[dmalbum path=”/velominati.com/content/Photo Galleries/brettok@velominati.com/old kit/”/]
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@Mikael Liddy "vleeseter" is a bad translation of "cannibal". "vleeseter" means "meat eater"
The sheer *perch* on Bugno's cap there ... astonishing.
You know another thing those three don't have? FACIAL HAIR.
Brett, you had me 100% until you slammed Atala. Come on now, that is one of the greatest kits ever and Gianni and I stand firm on this. I mean, it was worn by Urs Freuler FFS!
Modern technology has been a blessing and a curse regarding pro kit. In the old days of wool and acrylic, things had to be kept simple because of technical issues - block colors and writing/logos that had to be sewn on letter by letter (or printed on a block of fabric then sewn on as a patch.) Riders were paid less requiring fewer sponsors, so designs could be simpler.
Modern fabrics and screenprinting technology allow for printing all manner of colors and designs. For example Mapei, one of the worst kits EVER, would be unthinkable in the old days. Those would be the good old days if that abomination was unthinkable. Higher team costs and salaries mean more sponsors so jerseys get crowded with names. Androni Giacatolli-Venezuala being a good example.
A picture of the old Peugeot kit would have been a good call. Ti-Raleigh and Del Tongo was awesome too.
Can't have enough articles on old school kit, so great job there!
@wiscot salverini.
Also, while I don't agree with you on the point, I have to respect your apparent high tolerance for cognitive dissonance for simultaneously praising Atala and slagging Mapei.
@Nate
Say what? Atala was well designed with a limited palette and stylish. Mapei was like someone puked colors at a jersey. It was vile. It was so bad it made Discovery jerseys look good. Even Cipo's tiger stripe kit looked better than Mapei.The only jersey worse than Mapei was that bastard son of Saunier Duval tan and black outfit that made the riders look naked. There's no comparison at all! Atala was classic good; Mapei, classic bad. (Insert emoticon)
I think you've got it exactly backwards. Mapei was a slick kit, because it took real men to dress in something that looked like it came from a clown's fever dream.
@Owen
I have it exactly right. Mapei was crap, Atala was sweet. I wouldn't go around telling Urs that he wasn't a real man because he wore one of the best kits ever.
@wiscot
Urs transcended his kit. That fucker would have made Castorama look good.
It does have too many logos, but the Loto-Belisol kit this year at least seems to have been designed by someone rather than a committee. Takes quite a strong person to tell the lead sponsor that you're writing their name in block lettering, not using their expensive corporate logo.