December 21, 2009
I have always personally loved the black shoes on the bike, black socks too, but as of late the euro cool thing of course is ‘white only’. I just don’t like it, haven’t adopted it, and probably won’t change it, but wonder as I look for new shoes if I should even entertain white as optional. Afterall, mavic has some primo junkie shoes in black, carbon and all. So do Sidi, so, if euro makers make them, can they be all that wrong?? I am a masters cat. racer and love the euro look otherwise, just not white shoes. Did you wear white or black during your tenure as racer??
Dan Johnson - MissouriMy name is Joe and I have a shoe problem. I think you might even refer to it as flat-out craziness. I have owned (bought and been given) more cycling shoes than I can remember. I have filed, cut, heated, bent, sawed, glued and otherwise mutilated them in, pretty much, every way imaginable -- shoe mania. Imelda Marcos had nothing on me.
To answer your question - yes, I raced in white shoes - Time, to be exact. I also had a brief stint in some white Lake shoes, orange Gaerne's, silver Shimano's, and some sort of beige-ish Brancale's. Despite my own personal departures from black, I guess I'd have to side with you on your desire to ride in black shoes.
It's really not that I have too much against white shoes either. I often rode with white socks over my cycling shoes - even in the summer. Of course that was often simply a case of hiding the fact that I was not wearing our sponsor's shoes. I really do like the look of white shoes, white shorts, white helmets, glasses, jersey, gloves, etc, but not everyone should be allowed to wear this absence of color. In fact, unless you are the world champion or look like you could be the world champion, wearing white shorts can, sometimes, end up making you look more like a clown than the elite and confident cyclist you intended to look like.
Nope, white should be treated with extreme caution - as should those ultra-narrow, handlebar stump things that many of the hipsters have adopted for steering their fixies. While driving the most ridiculous rental car in Austin, Texas several weeks ago, I was stuck behind a couple of fixed gear bike riding dudes. The one guy was riding a bike that was a bit too tall for him, the saddle was pointed at least 20 degrees down, and the handlebars had been sawed to an incredibly narrow width. As with white, not everyone should be riding a fixie - especially one that you virtually have to steer from the stem. This dude moved around so much on the bike that I thought he might be trying to dance to some sort of house music or something. It was terrible!
Much of the Euro look is possible because of the fact that Europeans aren't as shy about dressing up in replica kit. Cyclists wear their favorite team colors and motorcyclists are often seen sporting team-replica one-piece leathers. I will take this look any day compared to some of the nightmarish tie-dye inspired disasters of sublimation emblazoned with some album cover from a band that sucked.
Personally, despite owning and wearing non-black cycling shoes, I much prefer the all-black look as much as possible - black jersey, black shorts, and black shoes. I often lament the fact that too many clothing companies forget the simple notion that understated is good too. For socks though, I reserve the right to wear white.
Dan, good luck on your quest to keep your shoes black, but I am sure your buddies will continue to ride with you if you mix it up a bit.
Share this Page
14 Responses to “I have always personally loved the black shoes on the bike, black socks too, but as of late the euro cool thing of course is ‘white only’. I just don’t like it, haven’t adopted it, and probably won’t change it, but wonder as I look for new shoes if I should even entertain white as optional. Afterall, mavic has some primo junkie shoes in black, carbon and all. So do Sidi, so, if euro makers make them, can they be all that wrong?? I am a masters cat. racer and love the euro look otherwise, just not white shoes. Did you wear white or black during your tenure as racer??”
I try to maintain the black look, too. I feel the same about cycling shoes that I feel about soccer boots. You can wear a color that isn’t black, but you sure better be hot shit if you do. If you’ve got on silver road shoes, you’d better beat me to every stop sign. You’d better climb like a lemur. Or score goals like Pele.
Otherwise, you just look like a dick.
Simple solution, invest in booties/shoe covers. When your fatty fat fat in the winter/spring and roads are crap, no white will be shown. The form starts to come around, the roads get a little cleaner and the weather warms…bling bling. Though it sucks when it rains and your white shoes turn to that oh so fast “stained grey”.
Second the dick notion too. I haven’t had any huge success in a while but have scored good deals on some pretty fresh S-Works the past few seasons..I get the middle finger during rides on a pretty regular basis.
wow noce shoes,love them
I wear Sidis in a metallic color called “steel lux.” I like them because the fit is perfect. I also live in a Third World communist police state where the cycling shoe selection is limited. I don’t think I’m trying to send a message or project an image that obligates me to win every stop sign sprint. Sometimes people wear a certain shoe just because it fits.
Part of what made the BMC and early ‘09 Cervelo kits so cool was right amount of white in the mix, but keeping the shorts black. Then Cervelo went white for the Tour and I was disappointed. I’ve got white Northwaves and a white helmet, but I have the decency to limit it to that as I’m far from an elite.
Thanks for that joe, I appreciate your answer, entirely. I agree w/Robot, the cool factor I suppose is the lack of interest many do take in it, as they flash the white or silver carbon shoes, then ride 12mph. Perhaps that color helps hide some of the disappointment of the non-PRO. I prefer the least of expectations at the start of a ride, then riding notably through those expectations.
I like my shoes like I like my…..coffee…..BLACK. LOL
I, too, am in the black shoes, black shorts, white socks camp.
However, I hate black gloves…. reminds me of the thugs in the 1940s & ’50s Hollywood movies. It may be strange, but I match them to my jersey.
Under no circumstances should black socks ever be worn. Unless you are a butler or a chauffeur.
When did wearing the right color clothing become more important than cycling? If someone wants to wear white, pink, gold or any other flamboyant color, who cares! Let them enjoy it and enjoy your own ride. I admire the Euros for not caring. I agree that white shorts shouldn’t be worn, but only because white, sweaty spandex is see-through and you’re really not doing yourself or any one else any favors for wearing them. Elite road cyclists are so image conscious! Get out and ride and stop caring so much what others think.
I prefer my shoes to match my soul. Easily bought, and increasingly rancid.
Mr. White
I was just trying to be a bit tongue in cheek about the matter. It is a bit of an unwritten rule that flashy shoes = BAMF, but I wouldn’t fret…I doubt many people tremble daily putting on their shoes hoping they are the fastest on the road, let alone dusting anyone they meet at a stop light.
Mbt shoes are so amazing. You will have a brand new walk experience when putting on Mbt m walk, Mbt Chapa and the like
[...] 6 Years in a Rain Cape – Joe Parkin’s Blog » Blog Archive » I have … by joeparkin While driving the most ridiculous rental car in Austin, Texas several weeks ago, I was stuck behind a couple of fixed gear bike riding dudes. The one guy was riding a bike that was a bit too tall for him, the saddle was pointed at least 20 … [...]
Make a Comment