Grotty, ripped, stained cycling clothing. ok or ?

[Bigbananabike]

Just looking at my favourite top (Assos bright yellow) these last few rides and thinking - its pretty stained
It only $15 secondhand (like almost all of my cycling gear - yes, including shorts!)

Most of my other stuff has 'faults' too - ripped shorts, stains etc.

Is this ok or am I letting the side down?

Do you regard people with kit like this as plonkers or non fashion misfits?

 

[Uawadall]

Just looking at my favourite top (Assos bright yellow) these last few rides and thinking - its pretty stained
It only $15 secondhand (like almost all of my cycling gear - yes, including shorts!)

Most of my other stuff has 'faults' too - ripped shorts, stains etc.

Is this ok or am I letting the side down?

Do you regard people with kit like this as plonkers or non fashion misfits?

Other peoples kit doesn't mean a thing to me. I like to purchase certain apparel, but those aren't things I care about with others. Is he/she fun to ride with? Are they fast enough to give me a good workout? Are they safe to ride with(no headphones please)? Depending on my ride objective for the day, I will ask 1 or 2. The internet tells me roadies will laugh at me for wearing mt bike shoes or shorts.... When I use to wear mountain bike shorts, people told me making the switch will make me more comfortable and it did. No one has ever looked at my shoes and I cant recall checking out the shoes of others either. Wear whatever the hell you want and ride strong.

 

[dabac]

I really don't care much
Faded doesn't matter at all.
Stained, that depends.
If you show up for a ride with the contents of your previous meal, or the mud splatter of the previous ride proudly displayed on your jersey, I'd think it a bit strange.
But I'm not there to look at your jersey anyhow.
As for basic hygiene, as long as my nose can't tell whether I'm drafting or leading, you're OK.
Rips, well, do the clothes still cover those areas generally covered by clothes?
If they do, fine.
I sometimes find it hard to hide a bit of a giggle when I end up behind someone who hasn't checked his/hers cycling tights for transparency in a while.
But, again, not much of an issue.

Also, there's a difference between noticing something and objecting to something.

As long as you behave and ride well, you'd probably need to put an effort in before your clothes becomes bad enough for me to actually think or say something negative about them.

 

[Dilof]

I doubt there'll be a problem with stains or tiny tears. You'll be fine as long as you're not self concious about the look of it or anything. It's not like people are going to look at you and actively search for something wrong with your cycling clothes.

Anyone who has a problem with how someone else dresses is pretty pedantic anyway.

 

[SirJoe]

I don't really care what others think just as long as I feel comfortable. Have you tried to find some sort of stain remover if you feel so bothered by it. There are some natural remedies, try doing a search for natural stain removers.

 

[Bigbananabike]

I don't really care what others think just as long as I feel comfortable. Have you tried to find some sort of stain remover if you feel so bothered by it. There are some natural remedies, try doing a search for natural stain removers.

Bright, safe colours, comfort, fit and interesting gear is what I like.

I should ask my wife re stain removal or, for this top at least - the dry cleaners.

 

[Corzhens]

I'm a woman so what do you expect? Of course, I care for fashion even just a little bit. There was a time that my husband was teasing me - I was only riding to show off my new cycling shorts or my new vest or my new shoes. But come to think of it, if you love riding then you would invest in a good bike, right? And if so then why don't you invest in the gear as well?

 

[SirJoe]

I'm a woman so what do you expect? Of course, I care for fashion even just a little bit. There was a time that my husband was teasing me - I was only riding to show off my new cycling shorts or my new vest or my new shoes. But come to think of it, if you love riding then you would invest in a good bike, right? And if so then why don't you invest in the gear as well?

Yep women always take better care of themselves then men do and waiting for them to get ready might take for ever but it's always worth while.

 

[Bigbananabike]

I'm a woman so what do you expect? Of course, I care for fashion even just a little bit. There was a time that my husband was teasing me - I was only riding to show off my new cycling shorts or my new vest or my new shoes. But come to think of it, if you love riding then you would invest in a good bike, right? And if so then why don't you invest in the gear as well?

I think your husband is on to it!!

I like to think I look good sans cool gear (I like to think that...)

Some of my bikes are a bit grotty too....

 

[maydog]

The biggest problems with old kit is thinning/tranparency. It may look fine until it is stretched and in the sun. See the "rule #53" http://www.velominati.com/etiquette/dont-be-an-ass-just-say-no-to-bad-lycra/

Another "fashion" issue is when the elasticity gives way and can make your manhood stand out more than usual.

Tears, (blood) stains etc. are cool with me. I have a few pieces of kit that I have mended after a crash that are still my favorites.

My kit wears out in a season or two, somtimes due to wear and transparency or due to the chamois padding getting worn out. My older kit is relgated to winter baselayers, trainer wear and eventually the trash bin.