Matching gear/bike/clothing...

[GLC1968]

In my non-bike life, I have always despised the 'matchy-matchy' look. I like things to coordinate (or not clash) but I've always been careful to avoid super matching things. For example, when I bought ski gear, I usually picked out black accessories so that I wouldn't look like I was trying to make it all match and yet it would all still look decent together. I even refuse to wear jewelry sets. I like my jewelry to coordinate...but I hate when my earings exactly match my necklace (or any other pieces of jewelry).

Why is it that I find myself enjoying those days where my jersey happens to match my bike? Why did I just pick out a new jacket this weekend in light blue to go with my new bike? Why did I feel the need to replace perfectly good gloves with ones that matched my bike? :confused:

Does anyone else find this happening to themselves? Am I becoming a matching freak? :eek: I still don't like matching jewelry, so my guess is this is unique to the bike. Tell me I'm not the only one!

[suzieqtwa]

I also buy things that match my bike...right now I'm have a red hybrid ,so I have a red helmet , red and black socks...etc. My new bike is black ,so I will have to buy a black Hemet although my red one is in perfect shape. Lucky for me this new bike will be black ,so I can wear any color.

[Bluetree]

I might have gone over to the Dark Side and become One with my bike, except for one thing... My bike is slate blue and if I wore a matching kit, I would be practically invisible in the early morning fog. The marine layer can be pretty thick near the beach.

Although... I am guilty of completely outfitting myself in Castelli/Specialized Red when I ride, helmet, socks and all. I am after all, an Aries.

[Kimmyt]

I'm like you with the matching. All of my ski gear (skis included) is black or gray. I just got a jacket that is a dusty blue, and all my base layers are odd colors, but basically I don't focus on matching.

With cycling, I've been saved because I don't have much money to spend on clothing. I tend to buy what's on sale, and if I matched my bike, I'd look lik ea barbie doll (my bike is teal and silver! ugh!). Right now most of my stuff is red, which doesn't really go with the bike, but I enjoy the disparity of the colors. I also have an orange shirt with pretty much clashes (in a good way) with the frame color.

The closest I've gotten to considering matching gear is that I do find myself tempted to buy a pink jersey, just because pink and teal is soooo Jem!

[SouthernBelle]

Since I got Black Beauty, which has orange and white trim, I'm all about orange. This is convenient becuase I can wear my vols stuff. I bought an orange rain jacket yesterday. My orange tires should be in next week. I practically had to tear myself away from an orange and black Shebeest jersey yesterday. I'm so ashamed

[Bad JuJu]

I dislike the matchy-matchy look, too, but I do like things that coordinate somehow. For example, since my Bianchi is the celeste color, I tend to get cycling tops in shades of green or teal. On the other hand, my jacket is super-visible yellow and my helmet is in Giro's White Camo pattern. So maybe I don't coordinate that well after all. But hey, you've gotta be visible!

[GLC1968]

Ok, so now I need opinions...

I have this bike:
http://www.tranquilitysystems.com/gallery/files/4/Isis_760705.JPG
(except that the bottle cages are now white and the bottles are blue!)

I'm in the market for a new helmet. The one I have fits me, but it looks HUGE on my head. I've found a style that still fits well, but is a bit more streamlined on the outside. Question is..what color?

I like the silver combo or the basic white...
http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_cn/parts/products/preview/520679-81_Ares_Silver.jpg http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_cn/parts/products/preview/520676-8_Ares_White.jpg

But I also like this blue. Is the blue too much? (I'm kind of thinking it is, but yet I still like the helmet...)

http://www2.giant-bicycles.com/_upload_cn/parts/products/preview/520600-2_Athena_Lightblue.jpg

(The blue of the bike is not quite as turquoise-y as it looks in the photo, it's pretty close to the color of the blue helmet)

[Aint Doody]

Get the blue one. Your bike is gorgeous!

[sbctwin]

Go for the blue...by the way, what helmet is that. I have a baby blue bike that would go nice with...Oh my gosh, I am trying to match:p :p :p ....

[run it, ride it]

My favourite colours are blue, black and silver.

Ended up with two blue bikes and a silver horse, purely out of coincidence. I don't try to match--it just happens. Neither the bikes nor the horse seem to care.

Pick whatever colours make you feel good! No shame in matching.

GLC1968: get the blue helmet!

[emily_in_nc]

I too am a matching fool when it comes to bike gear (but no other sports gear or daily life either!) I have my black raspberry Aegis, so for awhile, everything I bought had to have a touch of that in it or at least not clash with it. Then I got my white Bike Friday with blue handlebar tape, so everything had to have blue in it. That worked out well when I got my mountain bike this summer, as it is silver (polished aluminum) with a bright blue fork (same color as my Bike Friday handlebar tape), so all the blue gear I'd accumulated works. Still, I've managed to buy a couple more blue or part-blue jerseys since then!

I like either the light blue or the white helmet with your pretty Terry!

Emily

[Bikingmomof3]

My vote is the blue helmet. It will go nicely with your beautiful bike. :)

[Triskeliongirl]

As you know I have the same bike, and my helmet is a blue to silver fade so I didn't have to choose! Yes, most of my clothes are blue and silver too, as is my *other* bike, thank goodness. If I were you I'd go with the silver. When your white handlebar tape gets too dirty, you can replace it with silver. Deda makes a pretty one. I used it for a while, but then swithced to black cuz I like the cush of the black deda gel tape more than the silver. I was actually stupid enough to buy a blue jacket instead of yellow to match my bike, but wish now I had yellow for visiblity.

[GLC1968]

Go for the blue...by the way, what helmet is that. I have a baby blue bike that would go nice with...Oh my gosh, I am trying to match:p :p :p ....

The blue one is a Giant Athena...the white and silver ones are Giant Ares.


Thanks for all the opinions, all! Keep 'em coming!! :D

(and in case anyone is wondering, my commuter is a light silver...so anything goes with it!)

[tattiefritter]

My bikes and their components coordinate quite well but not me, oh no. Total scruffbag I am! Most of my shorts/tights are black so no problems there and there is quite a preponderance of blue (my bikes are grey, black or green/black) around but I tend to grab the first thing to hand to wear - in the autumn I could be wearing a particularly fetching bright orange top with bright blue gilet (vest). I buy a lot of stuff in sales etc.

I do the same with my running kit - my favourite top is shocking pink (unusual for me) and I remember wearing it with another bright blue gilet and black knicker tights with lime green areas on them and blue socks. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror with my crimson face clashing with my top thinking - what a mess girl! :D

I've never been good at the matching look.

[PinkBike]

blue helmet.
definitely

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

With your bike, I'd choose the white helmet. The blue helmet is a whole different blue than the bike.

But...we should all just pick colors we feel good in and love, whether they match or not, right?? :D

[Thistle]

Why is it that I find myself enjoying those days where my jersey happens to match my bike? Why did I just pick out a new jacket this weekend in light blue to go with my new bike? Why did I feel the need to replace perfectly good gloves with ones that matched my bike? :confused:



cos you're normal like the rest of us :p :p :D

[Thistle]

i'd go the blue helmet. i think it's gorgeous :)

[Geonz]

I've abandoned all hope of matching so I CLASH and enjoy it. It tends to be more visible.

[7rider]

I think I've also gone over to the Dark Side.
I recently gave away my ski helmet in favor of a blue one to match my jacket and skis (pants are ALWAYS basic black - like bike shorts or tights).
My mittens and gloves also coordinate.
If it doesn't match directly - it's black.
Sad.
Bike gear not necessarily the same way - my clothes don't all match my bike, but I try to have gloves match the jersey I'm wearing. My helmet (Giro Pneumo) is red/white/blue, which sort of matches my commuter, but not my mtb or road bike. Sigh. I can live with that, however.
It kills me when I would see DH on his rust colored bike (now gone) in a blue helmet and blue LBS kit. Gads! Horrible color clash! He's got to get a new basic silver or ti helmet next!
See...so not only do I try to coordinate myself, I'm trying to coordinate my DH.
It's a disease. :rolleyes:
Oh...And I also vote for the blue helmet - if that's your only bike. Go for basic white if you have others you ride.

[caligurl]

oh MOST DEFINITELY the blue helmet! gorgeous!

[five one]

First off, I think the blue helmet is *really* pretty. I'm thinking it's time for a new helmet for myself, and I like the design of these. What is the brand?

I have always worn a white helmet so that it will match (or at least not clash with) whatever jersey I'm wearing. I always make an attempt to match jersey, socks and helmet. Do you wear a lot of jerseys with blue in them? Or plan to? If so, I'd go with the blue. Otherwise, I'd go with white. But if you are really drawn to the blue, buy it. Whatever makes you feel good while riding is the right choice.

[LBTC]

My new bike is black ,so I will have to buy a black Hemet

My suggestion is - don't get a black helmet for two reasons:

black is hot in the sun
black is not as visible

since everything goes with a black bike (I have 2 and wish my third was too), go for a nice visible colour helmet that you like: white, silver, orange, red, yellow, or something like that....get something you like, but make sure it makes your head seen!

Hugs and butterflies,
~T~

[light_sabe_r]

Another vote for blue helmet with blue bike!

(coming from someone with a pink helmet for her pink bike and just bought gloves with reinforced webbing that were ALSO the same shade of pink...)

Yes GLC, I have the MATCHING disease too... Bf reckons there IS such a thing as too much pink! I tell him there IS such a thing as too much celeste! (Bianchi green)

[Cluey]

I like the white - it is crisp and gives you greater flexibility in your outfits. To me, the bike and the helmet have to match but without the flair - flair is in the tops. Its like kitchen benches and floor tiles - those two are meant to match and then the cupboards should be the fancy shmancy..... Cluey:)

[lph]

You guys are insane. Matching bikes, helmets and clothing???

However, wearing discreetly color-coordinated clothes for rock-climbing, that also match my harness, shoes and carabiners - that's something completely different... ;) :p


ps. For color-coordinated read "various shades of mud".... Or dark charcoal, or grubby olive green. Coordinated all the same!

[crazycanuck]

Oh dear...:eek: Happy to clash..

Pink helmets? Pink Bikes? Pink bike pumps? :rolleyes: :eek:

eeeeeeeeee *poof* runs away v fast..

[Kimmyt]

:D

My normal cycling outfit: Black shorts, red short-sleeve top, fluorescent yellow socks, baby blue cycling shoes, red helmet, teal bike

I am a living rainbow!

[Crankin]

Wow, while I am usually a fashionista in regular life, I don't match everything on the bike. I have 2 helmets, one olive green worn for cold weather cycling (I leave it fitted for a cap underneath) and mountain biking, and a blue one for road cycling in warmer weather. My bike is black, red, and white. I have a lot of gear; jerseys, jackets, arm warmers, etc but all they need to do is look good and match my black bottoms. I tried a pair of blue shorts and hated them. I do try to match my socks at times, but I only have one totally matched outfit: a Terry Euro halter that is black, pink, and purple, with matching white and pink socks, and a pink hoodie if it's cold.

[GLC1968]

Ah...I hadn't thought of the helmet/clothing match...but I have plenty of jerseys that are not blue at all. Good point!

OK, I'm going with the white helmet. Partly because it'll match everything, partly because it'll be the most visible and partly because my LBS already has it in my size where the blue one they'd have to order! ;)

I did purposely manage to worm my way on to the "jersey design committee" for my MS bike tour team. I am hoping that I can push our design in the direction of blues this year! :p

[nancielle]

I've matched gear with my mountain bike (black/purple). I bought the bike because it matched my helmet :D (which caused the woman at the LBS to go into spasms trying to stifle her laughter.) It's got a purple water cage and my gloves are black & purple.

My road bike is a light shade of blue with white. I don't wear pastel blues, or white for that matter, at all so all of my black/purple stuff is used with that one too.

[Triskeliongirl]

I highly recommend this jersey on sale, it matches Isis beautifully. In fact, since it has a full front zipper, I use it as a light jacket, perfect for days in the high-40s and 50s. I just wear a light wicking layer underneath, and unzip if it warms up. It also has nice deep back pockets!
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=15654

[emily_in_nc]

I highly recommend this jersey on sale, it matches Isis beautifully. In fact, since it has a full front zipper, I use it as a light jacket, perfect for days in the high-40s and 50s. I just wear a light wicking layer underneath, and unzip if it warms up. It also has nice deep back pockets!
http://www.teamestrogen.com/products.asp?pID=15654

Oooh, I like! The blue would go with my Bike Friday and my mountain bike -- but they only have the blue left in XL. Don't think that's going to fit GLC either; she looks pretty small in her avatar.

Emily

[Triskeliongirl]

Oooh, I like! The blue would go with my Bike Friday and my mountain bike -- but they only have the blue left in XL. Don't think that's going to fit GLC either; she looks pretty small in her avatar.

Emily

Ahh, but when I posted it was available in all sizes.......... guess this called too much attention to them!

[pooks]

I don't match anything! I do have one jersey that matches my bike (royal-ish blue) but it's really too small so I'm holding off on wearing it until I have lost some weight.

Oddly enough, my husband is more interested in "matching" than I am!

[emily_in_nc]

Ahh, but when I posted it was available in all sizes.......... guess this called too much attention to them!

Bummer....I wasn't on here yesterday so missed your post until tonight. Probably just as well -- it's not like I don't have enough jerseys already...
...but there's always room for one more. :D

Emily

[GLC1968]

I saw the post in time to see other sizes (no smalls, but I like Mediums in LS jerseys), but I opted against it due to my lack of use of LS jerserys lately. Of course, now it's finally colder again, and I could probably use it!

I saw the same jersey at our local Performance and the color is GREAT!...of course, Performance had it full price still! (Go TE! ;) )

[TrekJeni]

You're talking to the chick who just last week emailed Trek to find out if a particular helmet they make matched my new 07 Trek 6700 WSD! :)

[Meaux]

Most of my stuff is dark blue and so is my bike. HOWEVER, blue just happens to be my favorite color. And I don't always match my clothes when I'm biking. However, DH's stuff is all red, black, and white. It's sort of cute to see someone who could care less about what he wears to work be so interested in matching on the bike. My father in law has a black and yellow bike, and ALL of his other stuff is either black or yellow. He even waited to be able to ride the bike because his special black and yellow helmet had not come in yet. He's a little OCP.

[Triskeliongirl]

Most of my stuff is dark blue and so is my bike. HOWEVER, blue just happens to be my favorite color. ...

I am exactly the same way. I love bikes that have blue and silver in them, and blue bike clothes as well. So I think I end up color coordinated just by choosing my favorite colors in clothes and bikes!