Categories: KitNostalgiaReverence

When Kits Were Cool

The modern day Pro cyclist has many disadvantages stacked against them by comparison to their forefathers. They have to ride plastic bikes with little or no distinguishing character or discernible caché; they must willingly or perhaps unwittingly subject their body to an array of questionable “training techniques”; and they have to spend every waking hour poncing around in public wearing gaudily coloured outfits plastered with a myriad of logos, half of them (thankfully) not even readable. No one wants to be a the face of gastric reflux relief, no matter how glamourous it sounds.

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/”/]

Brett

Don't blame me

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Chris says:

Sep 3 2014 at 11:51 pm

@Teocalli

errrr.....?

Looking good there mate! I trust you're going to turn up like that on Sunday!
Chris says:

Sep 4 2014 at 12:03 am

I'm so very sorry but...

...I just couldn't help myself.
Gianni says:

Sep 4 2014 at 12:20 am

@Chris

@JCM

From Peleton Magazine. Photograph by KÃ¥re Dehlie Thorstad.

I think this kit is quite nice, assuming one is the British champion of course. I'm not fond of the translucent jerseys, but I understand that Spain can be rather warm this time of year so I'm willing to let it slide in this instance.

Peter Kennaugh is indeed the current British champion. From memory he was recently awarded an MBE by @Gianni for excellence in field of fabulous shoes and socks.

Assuming he's on the way to the Vuelta team presentations or a stage sign on, those sun glasses are fucking awesome as well.

If I was to stray from the path and forego Rule #16 or Rule #17, that kit would be the one.

And shorts and jersey. That lad has some style. Yep, those sunglasses are smart too.
Deakus says:

Sep 4 2014 at 2:10 am

@Gianni

@Chris

@JCM

From Peleton Magazine. Photograph by KÃ¥re Dehlie Thorstad.

I think this kit is quite nice, assuming one is the British champion of course. I'm not fond of the translucent jerseys, but I understand that Spain can be rather warm this time of year so I'm willing to let it slide in this instance.

Peter Kennaugh is indeed the current British champion. From memory he was recently awarded an MBE by @Gianni for excellence in field of fabulous shoes and socks.

Assuming he's on the way to the Vuelta team presentations or a stage sign on, those sun glasses are fucking awesome as well.

If I was to stray from the path and forego Rule #16 or Rule #17, that kit would be the one.

And shorts and jersey. That lad has some style. Yep, those sunglasses are smart too.

Almost Coppiesk?
wiscot says:

Sep 4 2014 at 5:12 am

@RedRanger

Kits are still cool

Who photoshopped out all the screaming fans?
Mike_P says:

Sep 4 2014 at 5:15 am

@Chris I had the very unfortunate experience of coming face to face with a bloke in that lederhosen abomination in Italy recently. Even more scarily, he probably weighed in at a little over 18 stone. That coupled with his Project One Madone certainly made him stand out from the crowd, in a bad way.
wiscot says:

Sep 4 2014 at 5:19 am

@Deakus

@Gianni

@Chris

@JCM

From Peleton Magazine. Photograph by KÃ¥re Dehlie Thorstad.

I think this kit is quite nice, assuming one is the British champion of course. I'm not fond of the translucent jerseys, but I understand that Spain can be rather warm this time of year so I'm willing to let it slide in this instance.

Peter Kennaugh is indeed the current British champion. From memory he was recently awarded an MBE by @Gianni for excellence in field of fabulous shoes and socks.

Assuming he's on the way to the Vuelta team presentations or a stage sign on, those sun glasses are fucking awesome as well.

If I was to stray from the path and forego Rule #16 or Rule #17, that kit would be the one.

And shorts and jersey. That lad has some style. Yep, those sunglasses are smart too.

Almost Coppiesk?

No doubt about it, Kennaugh looks fantastic! He has one advantage though: riding for a team with few sponsors means they can go with the full, old-school bands and not have to dick around with the design it to accommodate a dozen sponsor logos. For evidence, look at all the US Champions jerseys.
Mike_P says:

Sep 4 2014 at 5:24 am

@Deakus

@Gianni

@Chris

@JCM

From Peleton Magazine. Photograph by KÃ¥re Dehlie Thorstad.

I think this kit is quite nice, assuming one is the British champion of course. I'm not fond of the translucent jerseys, but I understand that Spain can be rather warm this time of year so I'm willing to let it slide in this instance.

Peter Kennaugh is indeed the current British champion. From memory he was recently awarded an MBE by @Gianni for excellence in field of fabulous shoes and socks.

Assuming he's on the way to the Vuelta team presentations or a stage sign on, those sun glasses are fucking awesome as well.

If I was to stray from the path and forego Rule #16 or Rule #17, that kit would be the one.

And shorts and jersey. That lad has some style. Yep, those sunglasses are smart too.

Almost Coppiesk?

Wow, that is such a lesson in how to be Deliberately Casual. I agree with you Deakus; I can almost imagine that as a black and white image from yesteryear. He's probably got Hugo Koblet's comb in his jersey pocket. Certainly showing some of his team mates the way.
Rom says:

Sep 4 2014 at 6:39 am

@wiscot

@Al__S

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.

Spot on. The Lotto Belisol kit is ace - and stylistically a bit of a throwback too. Proof that team kits used to be better.

Their Ridleys look awesome too.

Another blight is the scourge of charity ride jerseys. Big ups for the charities but they're usually shocking colours and overdone with logos.
ChrisO says:

Sep 4 2014 at 9:17 am

@wiscot

No doubt about it, Kennaugh looks fantastic! He has one advantage though: riding for a team with few sponsors means they can go with the full, old-school bands and not have to dick around with the design it to accommodate a dozen sponsor logos. For evidence, look at all the US Champions jerseys.

I may be wrong and I can't find a reference but... I seem to recall that national federations can set rules, or at least have a big say, about national jerseys.

Hence the French jersey for example is your basic tricolor, whatever sponsor names or logos it has, and I think the Brits are pretty strict as well. The Italians obviously caved in to Astana, but then Italians and style have a tempestuous relationship.

Although yes it does help that not only is it a team without 17 sponsors but their kit is designed by Rapha .