How Many Jerseys Does An Avid Cyclist Need?
A lot… I’m sure that would be the answer for most of us. But of course we all have other expenses that are priorities (food and shelter for family and… GAS). Anyway, I’m talking about this because Sprocketboy left a comment on my post about Fatty’s new jerseys. He was also talking about the decision of which jersey to wear for a particular ride.
It sounds like he’s got some pretty cool ones: “Should I 
wear the green Tour of China climber’s jersey, or the contrasting Louis Garneau Canadian national jersey, or maybe the yellow Warsteiner.”
So, I thought to myself… I can kind of relate. I have also wondered which jersey to wear on a particular ride.
The difference… I’m choosing from a total of six jerseys. I think this is a lower number compared to most avid cyclists. For me… it’s sufficient but I would love to have more. I think cyclists collect jerseys like some people collect t-shirts. How many jerseys are in your collection and what’s your most unique one?
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Comments
Sprocketboy– You take an early and commanding lead. That’s awesome… I dream of having a jersey specific drawer in my home. It sounds like you need more than one drawer to hold your collection. NICE
I have zero, and haven’t been terribly tempted by any … until last week at Raleigh’s Bike To Work event. Two people had jersey’s proclaiming them to be members of “Team Slacker.” Sponsors listed on the shirt were in keeping with the team name. The only one I remember was Starbucks. The slogan on the back read something to the effect of, “Start off slow, then ease back.” For someone who mainly commutes and putters around town with no thoughts towards speed, they seemed perfect. Although I suppose a Fat Cyclist jersey would also not be inappropriate.
But if anyone knows where/if you can get a Team Slacker jersey, I’d love to know.
Need or want?
I have about 10.
I can’t wait for Sprocketboy to hand me my 2008 Tour d’Enfer jersey in a couple of months!
I love wearing my “maillot pois” - “king of the mountains” jersey and of course matching cap.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/willj/193638682/
But I save it for huge climbs or Tour de France day. It was particular fun to wear when Jalabert and Virenque (French riders) were also wearing it during recent Tours.
People would just continuously shout “Richard” or “Jaja” and cheer me as I rode by …. needless to say there is some pressure to not ride too slow.
30 jerseys sprocket boy…maybe you should spend more time cycling and less time shopping 
I only have 4 jerseys (3 short & 1 long) and a rain jacket. They suit me just fine. I would be happy to have a whole lot more, I just hate shopping.
I have to admit that I tend to go a little overboard with all things cycling. I did curb the jersey collection at 10. I decided last year to have some made with my own( and friends ) designs. The cost is higher than off the shelf jerseys but unique. Each has their own theme and memories associated to them.
The real cost came when I had matching jackets made. My most unique and favorite jersey made was the first -Pedalman- Keepin the rubber side down- one.
The problem is when you have seven bikes you feel the need to match the clothing. And with all the snow outside we have lots of time in winter to shop for colourful clothing, I guess.
I have even been tempted by the Republic of Anaerobia clothing:
http://www.elevengear.us/roa.html
These people will even make up a jacket from your old Tyvek race numbers!
Hi Rob– Thanks for visiting and commenting. Did I meet you the other day in Raleigh. The Team Slacker jersey sounds great. I’ll keep my eyes peeled and ask around. Send me an email so I know how to contact you.
The Pig– Four? I think you should customize your own. There are a lot of ideas coming to me right now.
Pedalman– I would love to get one of your jerseys… any more?
Another order? I think I’m getting myself into a need to start collecting. What has Sprocketboy started!
Sprocketboy– I just checked out elevengear … great stuff. My 4 year old son is sitting next to me. He really digs the Saturn V jersey and the Church of the Bicycle. Cool Site… Thanks for sharing.
I think you need at least 7 assuming that you do laundry once a week. If you have less you will have to do laundry just for cycling clothes and that would make you NOT an environmentally conservative person.
Alberto and I have a cycling clothes rack and drawers (we have a bike room … ) so there are quite a few jerseys, bibshorts, knicks etc. Some I don’t wear anymore but can’t get myself to throw them out. The jersey I’m most proud of is my 2007 Club Champions Jersey. My best jersey is an Assos top of the range jersey I just bought earlier this year.
But the most important thing is to always look stylish and have your oufit colors matching your bike, shoes, helmet etc … Always Bella in selle!
Groover– Champions jerseys… sweet. I remember your post about your new Assos jersey. I guess it’s been good to you. I was just looking on line at jerseys last night. Not easy to match the color scheme. My bike is black and yellow. Black jerseys get hot in the summer and Yellow? Well, unless I’m climbing Alpe d’Huez in the same time as Lance… I don’t feel right wearing yellow.:)
Of course the biggest cycling fashion crime, which I have seen numerous times, is to wear a jersey from one team and a non-matching pair of shorts from another. Almost as bad as, say, wearing a Trek jersey and riding a LeMond. No no no.
I actually have a plain yellow jersey, long-sleeved, so that motorists will see me and perhaps not hit me when I am riding when it is cold outside. I would be a bit squeamish about wearing a TdF one, although a woman on our club ride today was doing so.
Black jerseys look good, Donald: I am thinking Kostritzer or Iles Baleares. Sometimes you just have to suffer a bit for style.
I don’t think we met at the downtown ride. I met a few people, but I think/hope, I would have put two and two together if I met someone who’s name matched a local cycling blog.
Two One dries while your wearing the other. Seriously though, its been a while since I bought a jersey for the sake of having it. They’re all club jerseys these days.
Hi Mike…
I agree… you have to be moved by the jersey I think for a new purchase. These day if it isn’t really unique… I’ll pass.
Cheers,
Donald
I don’t have 20 or 30 like Sprocket, but its nice to have an optimum number so you dont have to run to laundry every time. In my collection, the color I like most is black, which is a full sleeve Assos F13 or something. I was told by my girlfriend that I need a contrast against the bike so I’ll stand out more. I believe her. Before that point, I stuck to colors on the bike which made me a circus act. Now I’m not a circus act. But neither do I fuss over what to wear. I just want to make people suffer on the race course that’s all
Ron– Nice point. Then… whatever you’re wearing they’ll just say, “The guy with the …. jersey… he’s the one that kicked my butt!”
Yeah, you have a point. Clothes are the best identifying feature in a ride or race. With the helmet and the sunglasses and all that sunscreen, someone wouldn’t tell if it were had he seen you the next day in a grocery store
[...] How Many Jerseys Does An Avid Cyclist Need Donald Daily Draft Posted by root 7 minutes ago (http://djones.myncblogs.com) Black jerseys look good donald i am thinking kostritzer or iles baleares sometimes you just have to suffer a bit for style comment by rob e on may 25 Discuss | Bury | News | How Many Jerseys Does An Avid Cyclist Need Donald Daily Draft [...]
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I guess the onus is on me to start since my comments began this theme. I have, uh, 1 sleeveless jersey, 23 short-sleeved, 4 long-sleeved, and two thermal jackets. They can be divided up by bike manufacturer (LeMond, Bianchi, Specialized), pro team (Riso Scotti, Saturn, Mapei, Kostritzer), club (Squadra Coppi, Potomac Pedalers, Fat Cyclist), events (Heilingstadt Radmarathon, Tour of China), national team (Canada), colours (red, yellow, green) and misc. (Pezcyclingnews.com, Krol-Activ Bike Tours). On Bike Virginia one year a collector of jerseys went into a frenzy when he saw the Tour of China one since he had the sprinter’s and overall jerseys but not the King of the Mountains one. No sale, though. I bought that jersey in 1996 and it shrank a little in the wash but thanks to the Fat Cyclist weight loss competition last year it fits again!
On the other hand, all my shorts are black.