Iconic Cycling Kits and What Makes a Great Design Today

Cycling kits, especially when you’re riding as a part of a team, go so much deeper than just being simple uniforms. They are the visual cue your supporters look for to start ringing cowbells, chasing you up tough climbs, or start posing for your next Instagram profile picture. 

Over the past few years, we’ve seen some iconic cycling kits across the globe that have lingered in our heads just as long as the yellow and polka dot jerseys. 

As cycling branches further and further from professional sport and seeps into an everyday routine for so many of us, everyday athletes, more and more riders are paying closer attention to how they look on the bike. 

Choosing an iconic kit doesn’t need to be hard. Let’s explore some of the coolest jerseys we’ve seen in recent years and how you can design the next big statement for when you’re in the saddle.

Iconic Cycling Kits of Recent Years

From massive artistic statements to going all out with your sponsors' logos, let’s check out some of the coolest and most memorable cycling kits that have been worn over the past few decades.

La Vie Claire (1984–1988)

It was bold, fairly simple, yet instantly recognisable within the group. The La Vie Claire kit was sported by legends like Bernard Hinault and Greg LeMond with bold red, blue, yellow, and black forming a Mondrian-inspired design that most cycling fans of the '80s can still picture clearly to this day. 

It worked incredibly well as they chose something very easy to recognise with bold, bright colours that looked fantastic against the roads. If you’re looking at designing your own kit this season, take inspiration from this classic look and keep it bold, bright, and fairly simple.

Bianchi

Just as iconic as the famous Tiffany blue, for cyclists, a flash of brilliant turquoise can only mean one thing: you’re riding a Bianchi. They had a very timeless kit known as “Celeste”, which comprised their signature blue, most famously seen on Fausto Coppi. 

If you want something that people instantly associate with you, go for a signature colour and not just a design. Bonus points if you match it to your frame!

Z-Tomasso (1987-1990)

A simple white jersey became something much more memorable when splattered with pinks, yellows, and blues. Was this a particularly iconic kit, or was it something that stuck with us because it was worn by the infamous Greg LeMond? 

Either way, it’s one of my personal favourites and brought a really cool end to a fantastic era of cycling.

Molteni (1970s)

Another example of keeping things fairly simple, this look was more or less just a bright orange jersey. However, it was mainly sported by Eddy Merckx at a point in his career where he was absolutely dominating in every single race. 

It’s another great example of a signature block colour becoming associated with a rider because of their spectacular performance and not necessarily an iconic design!

Acqua & Sapone (2000s)

The 2000s brought some of the most memorable fashion choices that most of us would rather forget, and unfortunately, this was something that leaked into cycling! 

The Acqua & Sapone kit was plastered with some of the most garish zebra stripes I’ve ever seen, yet it is something none of us will ever forget… No matter how hard we try! 

But it is a great example of when more is more, and sometimes, design is all about going all out!

What Makes a Cycling Kit Design Stand Out?

The biggest thing to consider when designing your own cycling kit is how it will perform visually when riding in real conditions. 

Sponsors or logos should be visible and clear even when you’re riding at higher speeds, so using a high contrast design in these key areas is a great strategy to keep designs legible whilst moving. 

Furthermore, strong designs that show a little restraint are extremely visually appealing when riding in a large group. Stick to fewer, repeated colours that instantly represent your team or sponsors. Think of the 7-Eleven kits or the Lidl team. You instantly know who they’re backed by! 

Of course, authenticity should be at the core of your design. If your club is made up of riders from Brisbane, then why not choose some local landmarks to represent that? Aligning your design with the purpose of your kit makes the whole thing feel much more cohesive. 

Our jerseys are made with multiple panels that stretch and move, so your designs should also be able to move with you.

What Makes a Good Cycling Kit Design?

Our cycling kit has done all the athlete-testing, so you can focus on looking your best. 

We’ve built our designs with performance and comfort in mind so you can be sure you’re maximising aerodynamics, comfort in the saddle, and durability. We’ve chosen smart fabrics that help with breathability, have moisture-wicking properties, and even built in UPF protection ready for the longest rides on the hottest days.

Try to focus on a consistent design across your full kit that works with the panels of technical fabric and the aerodynamic cut of our kits. You need to find a design that ages well yet centres around strong fundamentals that reach further than a single season.

Of course, our design team is more than happy to offer help with the process!

Designing Your Own Cycling Kit with SCODY

We specialise in custom-designed cycling kits produced using our tried and tested garments. Your design can feature just about anything you can imagine, allowing you to stand out with pride. 

All of our SCODY cycling apparel is designed and manufactured right here in Australia, giving you full control of how your custom cycling kit looks. 

You have the freedom to customise colours, graphics, and your overall visual identity with the flexibility to even add your design to a team account, allowing other members to shop with ease.

Start Designing Today with SCODY

If you need custom cycling kit in Australia, SCODY are here to help! We offer school sports wear, team wear, corporate wear, and smaller orders for individual athletes, so you can look your best this season. 

Contact us today or start designing your own and create the next iconic cycling kit with SCODY.