Jerseys: what is the point?

[CS]

All this discussion of a team jersey got me thinking.

Ok road riding I get, mostly, so don't come in all huffy about aerodynamics and whatever. Relax and finish shaving your legs.

What I don't get, is why the fascination with mountain bikers? I mean, here is a 50-70 dollar shirt, a freaking shirt, that doeas what exactly? See I recently discovered the wonders of rayon and its remarkable quick-drying capabilities (not to mention the same qualities in generic nylon and polyester shirts). Better yet, these great rayon/nylon/poly shirts can be had for no more than $8 at any given thrift store. So, what exactly am I missing out on by not dropping the coin for the nice and toit fitting jersey (besides that giant pocket in the back, and I won't even start in on that)?

Oh and not to mention that never in my biking lifetime have I seen a single one that actually looks good and isn't just a giant billboard and mix of colors that you only see in dog vomit.

Discuss.

[mildbill.]

i like old basketball jerseys when it's hot. bring the hip hop flava to the trails, plus i get to show off my guns.

watch out for the guns, they'll get ya.

[Oarhead]

Old Rugby shirts for freeriding.

Proper jerseys for road riding and XC'ing. WHy? Cause I already have them from racing road, they have the pocket (pretty necessary IMO), and they dry quickly.
If I didn't have them it would be whatever workout clothing I already own. I, like you, sure as hell am not willing to spend serious coin either.

Shorts are a diff story that I believe has already been covered a couple of times.

[SkiingBear]

I'll admit that I wear them mtn biking. But to be honest, my favorite jersey is a light grey with very few other colors it...and those that are there are only accents (in general I prefer the 1 or 2 color solid print jersey...I agree that most of them look too "busy"). It's a very loose fit, not tight like the roadie jerseys. It breathes well (I know that there's plenty of cheaper options that breathe) but more importantly it still has zero holes in it after multiple trips to the ground. I guess I've always felt that jerseys fit better for the motions of biking. I've ridden in poly t-shirts and poly Hawaiians, and jerseys just feel better to me.

[scoober]

We could all get by skiing in $50 Columbia jackets or cheaper parkas from Cabela's, but most of us wear expensive brand name outerwear. Why? I dunno.

I have my jerseys from road riding, but I wear them on the MTB because they fit well, they are comfortable, they dry fast, they have the pockets, I like how they look, and in the case of my Bell's Beer jersey I don't mind advertising for them. I hate baggy shirts in general, but on the bike they are worse, floppy sleeves flappin in the wind, it sucks.

Bill... my brother wears an old Kemp Sonics jersey all the time, even on normal xc rides.

[bagtagley]

I like mine cause it has built up a stench from years of wear. I'm pretty sure it repels bears and mountain lions...or maybe it attracts them?

Seriously though, I agree. I've owned 2 in my life, and both were cheap and purchased for XC racing. They're definitely nice to have for the pockets and tight fit (loose shit gets caught on trees 'round here), but not a necessity. I have a few sleeveless tees that I wear most of the time on XC rides. They let me show of my (cap) guns and pimp the redneck steeze as well. The beauty of this style of jersey is that you can take the ugliest, stupidest t-shirt you own, rip off (don't cut, it's too clean) the sleeves, and bada-bing, you're in bidness.

My "We be Drinkin' " cheesy Jamaica shirt is a personal fave.

I'm a bit more classy for DH...I leave the sleeves on. My Spongebob "Booty" T-shirt is a local favorite. As much as I like it, it's lack of flashy, look at my favorite company steeze kept me out of the 2005 Snowshoe brochure. Or maybe it was because Spongebob is gay?

[Telephil]

breathability, low weight, quick drying, aero-ness (at least the tight fitting roadie ones), etc, etc, etc.

EDIT: Duh, I can't believe I forgot this one. But you could ask it this way, why does a basketball or football team have jerseys and uniforms....to be able to identify your teammates a little more easily, obviously more specific to road racing.

[Plakespear]

front zips provide ventilation for the climb, and insulation for the descent

[altagirl]

MX jerseys tend to hold up pretty well in wrecks, and they fit over armor and are light and breatheable. But when I'm doing regular MTB riding, I prefer wearing a fitted tank top/long sports bra type of thing - something that breathes/wicks and is comfortable... and usually ends up giving me bizzare tan lines in combination with my camelbak... and interesting cuts on my shoulders when you're getting smacked by twigs and whatnot that have grown into the trail... So I guess there's not really any benefit to that other than comfort. Oh well.

[gonzo]

its all about the big front zip. built in thermostat.

[Arnold Babar]

I've done one xc race in my life (Mt. Snow NORBA national sport class). I wore a Hawaiian shirt that my wife made me. I finished in the middle of the pack, but was a fan favorite for the jersey. Spectators would sing the theme to "Hawwaii 50" as I went by. It added a bit of fun to an otherwise grueling and demoralizing experience that I don't plan to repeat ever. I, too, do the thrift store thing or I make my own.

[Spats]

In any conditions warm enough to sweat, I use a hockey mesh practice jersey. $13-20 from numerous hockey websites, and the most ventilation you can possibly get out of anything with long sleeves. Much cooler (temperature-wise) than any cycling jersey, zip or no.

The official team jerseys are cool, but usually a lot heavier and don't vent as well.

[Scuch]

Bills guns are intimidating

[hev]

^damn nice pic bag!

I guss zips are legitimate reason to where jerseys. I always especially liked full zip once. that being said I now where the moto-style stuff generally. basically it just has to breath. t shirts are fine for DH.

[Arty50]

I really like the fox mtb shirts. They've proven to be extremely durable and don't hold sweat like a t-shirt. Plus some have long sleeves. I'm not a big fan of road jerseys. The materials don't seem as burly and the pockets are faily useless if you're wearing a camelback, which I always do.

[freshies]

for road riding, i have roadie jerseys. for MTB, I usually just go with polypro shirts that i also use skiing, like Pataguchi Capeline shirts. multi-use (winter and summer) makes them a good buy IMO.

[AKA]

I wear whatever t-shirt is on top of the pile.

[chezewyz]

wicking is smart if you live and ride in an area where the breeze can be cooler than the sunshine.

"team" or other jerseys are happy-arse stupid shyte, though. overpriced wannabe gaper gear. nothing screams bicycle JONG more than a pseudo-racer jersey, or an overdone graphic laden "look at me and my unclever design" stuff from places like Primal Wear or other maroons.

hey bagtagley, how friggin' wide does Snowshoe make its stunts? jeezus those look like Playskool level sidewalks for training wheels.

[bagtagley]

hey bagtagley, how friggin' wide does Snowshoe make its stunts? jeezus those look like Playskool level sidewalks for training wheels.

Wow, 5 for 5 on negative, know-it-all posts. You're off to a great start.

You're right, Snowshoe is easy and it sucks, nobody go there.

[chezewyz]

I didn't say it was easy and it sucks. I said the stunts pictured were wide.

wide isn't always bad. ski areas tend to prefer wide because it means fewer injuries. in those cases I suppose wide is better than nonexistent.

besides why so testy about a smartarsed comment that clearly couldn't have been dead serious?

[Arnold Babar]

Quote from some mt. bike movie the name of which I can't recall, "...Why build 'em low and wide when you can build 'em high and skinny?"