Shaving legs.....
Discussion
I'm a little worried now that I'm becoming a part-time roadie....
A colleague of mine (more of a machine than man as he does two Iron-man competitions each year), sent me some amusing articles about shaving legs and he's suggesting I take it up now I'm road riding......
I won't be shy to ever confess I'm a bit of a hairy fella (Latin roots and all), and although I do keep myself trimmed a full on shave sounds quite extreme!!! I feel a little uncomfortable about it!
Is it really the thing to do as a roadie?
http://coachlevi.com/cycling/reasons-why-cyclists-...
http://davesbikeblog.blogspot.com/2008/06/why-do-c...
Zippee said:
Waste of time! I used to do it many years ago when I raced MTBs competetively mainly as it was a little more hygienic given the number of wounds I suffered. Could never understand why the roadies did it though.
i met a bloke last year who was really into cross country mtb racing, he shaved his legs for that as he said it made the removal of mud and poo, easier and less painful 
The only reasons to do it are thus:
hygiene: it's easier to clean legs which aren't covered in fur. If you crash then it's much easier to get the wounds clean if you're not hairy.
massages: it's nicer for both you and the masseur if you aren't hairy
sun cream: if your legs are as hairy as mine, rubbing in sun cream/ oil is a pain. it's much easier without leg hair
tradition
There is no aerodynamic advantage.
I assume that the articles you read mainly just say those reasons. So it's up to you. In my book unless you're having regular massages it's not worth it. I only shave mine before going on tours for the sun-cream reason.
hygiene: it's easier to clean legs which aren't covered in fur. If you crash then it's much easier to get the wounds clean if you're not hairy.
massages: it's nicer for both you and the masseur if you aren't hairy
sun cream: if your legs are as hairy as mine, rubbing in sun cream/ oil is a pain. it's much easier without leg hair
tradition
There is no aerodynamic advantage.
I assume that the articles you read mainly just say those reasons. So it's up to you. In my book unless you're having regular massages it's not worth it. I only shave mine before going on tours for the sun-cream reason.
Disco You said:
The only reasons to do it are thus:
hygiene: it's easier to clean legs which aren't covered in fur. If you crash then it's much easier to get the wounds clean if you're not hairy.
massages: it's nicer for both you and the masseur if you aren't hairy
sun cream: if your legs are as hairy as mine, rubbing in sun cream/ oil is a pain. it's much easier without leg hair
tradition
There is no aerodynamic advantage.
I assume that the articles you read mainly just say those reasons. So it's up to you. In my book unless you're having regular massages it's not worth it. I only shave mine before going on tours for the sun-cream reason.
I think I'll give it a miss.... hygiene: it's easier to clean legs which aren't covered in fur. If you crash then it's much easier to get the wounds clean if you're not hairy.
massages: it's nicer for both you and the masseur if you aren't hairy
sun cream: if your legs are as hairy as mine, rubbing in sun cream/ oil is a pain. it's much easier without leg hair
tradition
There is no aerodynamic advantage.
I assume that the articles you read mainly just say those reasons. So it's up to you. In my book unless you're having regular massages it's not worth it. I only shave mine before going on tours for the sun-cream reason.
Disco You said:
The only reasons to do it are thus:
hygiene: it's easier to clean legs which aren't covered in fur. If you crash then it's much easier to get the wounds clean if you're not hairy.
massages: it's nicer for both you and the masseur if you aren't hairy
sun cream: if your legs are as hairy as mine, rubbing in sun cream/ oil is a pain. it's much easier without leg hair
tradition
There is no aerodynamic advantage.
I assume that the articles you read mainly just say those reasons. So it's up to you. In my book unless you're having regular massages it's not worth it. I only shave mine before going on tours for the sun-cream reason.
+1 to this, the aero crap is just that, pure crap. For swimming fair enough, but not for cycling.hygiene: it's easier to clean legs which aren't covered in fur. If you crash then it's much easier to get the wounds clean if you're not hairy.
massages: it's nicer for both you and the masseur if you aren't hairy
sun cream: if your legs are as hairy as mine, rubbing in sun cream/ oil is a pain. it's much easier without leg hair
tradition
There is no aerodynamic advantage.
I assume that the articles you read mainly just say those reasons. So it's up to you. In my book unless you're having regular massages it's not worth it. I only shave mine before going on tours for the sun-cream reason.
Never done it for cycling, did lots of times (+ the rest of the body, arms, back, chest etc) in my competitive swimming days, The only thing I would add is that in the water (at least) you get a much better feeling/sensation of the water against your skin, it just feels right, not sure if that translates to cycling.
But if you feel more streamline you get a placebo effect and it helps build confidence in your abilities, whether it is actually true or not is a different matter.
But if you feel more streamline you get a placebo effect and it helps build confidence in your abilities, whether it is actually true or not is a different matter.
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 15th September 16:10
I don't shave my legs, because I'm a mountainbiker.
BUT, I've always wondered, at what point do you stop shaving? Lower thigh? Mid thigh? The whole lot?!
If you've got dark hair surely it must look wierd when you're in your birthday suit?
It's all very odd.
Also, what about arms!? Not that they get as hairy.
BUT, I've always wondered, at what point do you stop shaving? Lower thigh? Mid thigh? The whole lot?!
If you've got dark hair surely it must look wierd when you're in your birthday suit?
It's all very odd.
Also, what about arms!? Not that they get as hairy.
During the racing season - yes - I'm a hairy bugger too, so usually every 2-3 days the bic comes out. I am an advocate of the "hairy boxers" look - which I have been told looks odd, but has never put anyone off.
I prefer the way it feels when riding and it is a lot nicer to give the legs a rub down after a ride without hair in the way, there is probably a bit of vanity in there too.
Road Racing is a fairly traditionalist thing - pretty much anyone who takes it seriously has always and will always do it.
Edit - Another thing it does is highlight the guy to keep an eye on - the local crit near me is a mix of 2/3/4 cats - eveyone serious whose wheel you want to be on will be a baldie, the newbie crashaholics are more likely to be hairy. Same way when you see a Nissan Micra on the road with the seat jammed against the steering wheel it can set off your "be ready for something daft to happen" radar
I prefer the way it feels when riding and it is a lot nicer to give the legs a rub down after a ride without hair in the way, there is probably a bit of vanity in there too.
Road Racing is a fairly traditionalist thing - pretty much anyone who takes it seriously has always and will always do it.
Edit - Another thing it does is highlight the guy to keep an eye on - the local crit near me is a mix of 2/3/4 cats - eveyone serious whose wheel you want to be on will be a baldie, the newbie crashaholics are more likely to be hairy. Same way when you see a Nissan Micra on the road with the seat jammed against the steering wheel it can set off your "be ready for something daft to happen" radar
Edited by Parsnip on Thursday 16th September 01:37
Disco You said:
The only reasons to do it are thus:
hygiene: it's easier to clean legs which aren't covered in fur. If you crash then it's much easier to get the wounds clean if you're not hairy.
massages: it's nicer for both you and the masseur if you aren't hairy
sun cream: if your legs are as hairy as mine, rubbing in sun cream/ oil is a pain. it's much easier without leg hair
tradition
There is no aerodynamic advantage.
I assume that the articles you read mainly just say those reasons. So it's up to you. In my book unless you're having regular massages it's not worth it. I only shave mine before going on tours for the sun-cream reason.
Says it all.hygiene: it's easier to clean legs which aren't covered in fur. If you crash then it's much easier to get the wounds clean if you're not hairy.
massages: it's nicer for both you and the masseur if you aren't hairy
sun cream: if your legs are as hairy as mine, rubbing in sun cream/ oil is a pain. it's much easier without leg hair
tradition
There is no aerodynamic advantage.
I assume that the articles you read mainly just say those reasons. So it's up to you. In my book unless you're having regular massages it's not worth it. I only shave mine before going on tours for the sun-cream reason.
Hairy legs on a road bike should be an arrestable offense. Hideous.
Hairy-legged road racer and triathlete here, and it's going to stay that way.
A few months ago, shortly before a race, another competitor commented on my hirsute pegs, going on about how his plucked-chicken look meant he was a serious cyclist with aerodynamics, etc. Fat lot of good his baldness did him, as he attempted no digs off the front and I dropped him as we wound up the pace for the sprint finish.
I can understand the professionals doing it, as the daily massages and frequent road rash calls for it, but IMO for an amateur the time far is better spent training or drinking.
A few months ago, shortly before a race, another competitor commented on my hirsute pegs, going on about how his plucked-chicken look meant he was a serious cyclist with aerodynamics, etc. Fat lot of good his baldness did him, as he attempted no digs off the front and I dropped him as we wound up the pace for the sprint finish.
I can understand the professionals doing it, as the daily massages and frequent road rash calls for it, but IMO for an amateur the time far is better spent training or drinking.
Parsnip said:
Edit - Another thing it does is highlight the guy to keep an eye on - the local crit near me is a mix of 2/3/4 cats - eveyone serious whose wheel you want to be on will be a baldie, the newbie crashaholics are more likely to be hairy. Same way when you see a Nissan Micra on the road with the seat jammed against the steering wheel it can set off your "be ready for something daft to happen" radar
How true! Even riding a sportive or just catching people on the road I always give a wide berth to folk with hairy legs - they're much more likely to switch accross your path, suddenly turn into a juction, slow down, brake, pull in or try to jump on your wheel without warning (or without doing any work!). Even if some are good MTBrs & Triathletes they simply may not be used to riding in a bunch.
Gassing Station | Pedal Powered | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff