Why do everyday cyclists shave their legs

[firerescuefin]

Funny/Witty

As a shaver of legs, I endorse :help:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/learn/shaving-your-legs?cmp_id=sm_fbcc01

[Shortsocks]

Funny/Witty

As a shaver of legs, I endorse :help:

http://www.competitivecyclist.com/learn/shaving-your-legs?cmp_id=sm_fbcc01

I'll second the shaving of legs. I concur. :)

[wallymann]

rite of passage & i feel faster -- only do it in seasons when i have good condition and i'm riding/training with a purpose.

[CunegoFan]

I don't shave mine anymore. I do buzz them with electric clippers, so they are nearly shaved. The big benefit is putting on sunblock, which for some reason the article did not mention.

[firerescuefin]

I don't shave mine anymore. I do buzz them with electric clippers, so they are nearly shaved. The big benefit is putting on sunblock, which for some reason the article did not mention.

It's in there�take another look.

[EDS]

I do race, but acknowledge the leg shaving is pure vanity. My wife hates it.

[dsimon]

Cuz I like it!!!!!!

[RacerJRP]

My wife loves the shaved legs as long as I keep them up. If I get lazy and they get prickly....no dice.

Has anybody else gotten to the point that when they see a people in shorts with hairy legs it looks weird to them....or just me?

[gearguywb]

My wife sees hairy legs (on other guys) and comments: "How unsightly"

[Uncle Jam's Army]

It makes me feel sexy.

[Tony]

I find myself curiously aroused when shaving :)

Actually I don't have much hair on my legs. What little I have I buzz with clippers.

[Wilkinson4]

Because all the Italians do it:) So I can put lotion on my skin and after doing it for so long it feels weird when I don't. I have wookie legs... Other benefit is treating road rash. Hairy legs, rash and sand embedded in is no fun. That said, I go the clipper route once a week. So, I have a 5o clock shadow most of the time.

mIKE

[bcroslin]

(double post - stupid iphone)

[bcroslin]

When you regularly ride in 95 degree heat with near 100% humidity you shave EVERYTHING. I don't care how I look and my wife loves to make fun of me but I'm 2-3 degrees cooler.

[yakstone]

I stopped shaving and started going to a Waxing Salon.

Well worth the money and I will never shave again!

Plus women dig the nude look and feel of waxing.

[Louis]

Poseurs! But I have to say, all that Rapha kit does look good on you. ;)

[benitosan1972]

No need to shave legs here, aZn genetics solved that problem for me, now my nether-areas, that's another problem :banana:

[gianni]

I do it for strava! KOMS. I also train in a skinsuit and make sure that everything matches --kidding!

I hate shaving my face, let alone legs. I'm with previous posts that clippers rule and I only shave when fit and have an event coming. But I'm in the NW and hair is warm.

[ceolwulf]

I shave but I am far from an everyday cyclist :banana:

[oldpotatoe]

I shave but I am far from an everyday cyclist :banana:

Used to, maybe 10 years ago..when I had a massage therapist also work on my back..she said it made it easier, doing hairless legs, plus if ya crash, you DO heal faster. But no mas..

[jghall]

So true. Nothing better than sliding into some silk bed sheets with shaved legs.

[benitosan1972]

So true. Nothing better than sliding into some silk bed sheets with shaved legs.

*cue porn music with heavy bass guitar*

[gemship]

this thread rates highly among the gay factor:banana::banana::banana:

[jghall]

*cue porn music with heavy bass guitar*

As soon as I type that, I've been thinking the past few hours while on a ride that oh boy that Jeff guy must be a freak.

[Coluber42]

I'm a woman and don't shave my legs. When I used to race, people would occasionally ask me about it, and I was definitely the bike team weirdo with hairy legs. Now I do more randonneuring/distance events and no one asks me about it anymore.

But it is definitely true that leg hair collects sunscreen, and also dirt (and my leg hairs grow fairly long). On multiple occasions I've been riding offroad or on dry/dusty dirt roads and trails with other folks with shaved legs, and it was pointed out that my legs retained a lot more dust and grit than theirs did.

I did shave them once for a race (because I lost a bet...) and found it totally weird. My skin without hair felt weird and rubbery somehow, and I'd be walking down the street and kept thinking there were someone else's legs sticking out from under my shorts.

But the weird thing is, I'm always mildly surprised to see women with unshaven legs, even though I have never shaved mine; and men in bike shorts with hairy legs sort of stand out to me too, even though my better half doesn't shave his either.
So I guess for non-cyclists, men with shaved legs must be even more surprising.

[texbike]

Shave??? Pfffft! I have the leg hair of a Wookiee!!!

Texbike

[JLNK]

As stated earlier, when riding in 95 - 100 degree heat shaved feels alot cooler.

[Frankwurst]

It would take me less time for me to pluck all the hair from my legs than it would to shave them. :beer:

[jr59]

It's hair-o-dynamic!

[blessthismess]

I shave my legs, my girlfriend is perplexed,but she tolerates it. I don't really know why I do, maybe it's vanity I dunno it just makes me feel so PRO :D

[JAGI410]

I don't even like shaving my face, shaving my legs sounds miserable.

[tigoat]

This sounds disgusting! Hairs from your legs will slow you down?

[Drmojo]

She would like to go further but I say no dice.
Habit, feels and looks good.
Stopped racing but still shave for many of
reasons mentioned above. I, too think unshaved
legs look "weird."
Especially on fit, strong legs.
Racing triathlon and bikes for for 25 years, hard
habit to break. No waxing for me, tho.
mOjO

[Ken Robb]

When/if you get to be 70+ years of age God shaves your legs. :banana:

[BirkWinn]

I was the hairy kid in the 8th grade. I was mistaken for a sub when I went to a new school. I shave my legs and arms because it makes them look awesome. When I see people with hairy legs it almost looks dirty

I also might be the only guy that shaves everything except my face and butt cheeks

[EDS]

As stated earlier, when riding in 95 - 100 degree heat shaved feels alot cooler.

I think my legs get much hotter when shaved as they do not have the leg hair that holds moisture to cool the skin.

[oldpotatoe]

When/if you get to be 70+ years of age God shaves your legs. :banana:

Hair from your legs go to your ears....

And in the republic, more guys shave their legs than gals.

[BenCalvert]

Agreed that it is pretty much all for the looks!

[fiamme red]

When/if you get to be 70+ years of age God shaves your legs. :banana:True. My father's legs are completely smooth now. I keep my legs proudly unshaven as a sign of my youth and virility. :)

[wooly]

Part Asian here. Actually 3/4. But all Asian legs. Hardly any hair, naturally. My German, Dutch, Yugoslavian (ethnicity) wife is jealous. She'd be a Wookie if she didn't shave. A hot Wookie.

[Duende]

I shaved my legs when I was a young kid racing. Did it mostly to keep cuts from being pulled and yanked at by my hairs when riding. Also heals faster as another poster mentioned.

Grew up in AZ hot weather. But honestly didnt feel it being helpful to the hot temperature.

Then other interests took over and I stopped racing and shaving.

But my leg hair never ever really grew back. Go figure.

[EvanTA]

I used to race, then stopped for a few years, and this past fall started up again. I raced in the fall as a beginner to see if I could fit it in my schedule, or if it would be too much, and at the end of the season decided I would stick with it and start moving up categories. Only after that did I start shaving again, and now it serves to motivate me. As long as I shave, I have to ride enough to justify it.

[axel23]

+1

i don't shave mine anymore. I do buzz them with electric clippers, so they are nearly shaved. The big benefit is putting on sunblock, which for some reason the article did not mention.

[axel23]

Oh come on... Your bikes deserve it! How else to complement all that beautiful hardware?


Shave??? Pfffft! I have the leg hair of a Wookiee!!!

Texbike

[witcombusa]

Why do everyday cyclists shave their legs?


I have no idea.

[tele]

Hair and road rash convinced me.

[FlashUNC]

First -- and only -- time I hit the deck with hairy legs convinced me.

[11.4]

Hair from your legs go to your ears....


Best reason posted yet, if it were only true.

It's the long-term exposure to Nuovo Record that makes your ear and nose hair grow so long.

[kevinvc]

I ride every day year-round but only shave for cyclocross season. For me, the biggest reason is that Nexcare bandages seal much better on hairless legs and all types of bandages and tape come off with less pain.

I race cross, but I'm not very good at it and tend to fall down a lot. :bike:

[texbike]

Oh come on... Your bikes deserve it! How else to complement all that beautiful hardware?

My Brad Pitt/George Clooney/Chris Pine-esque good looks more than makes up for it. ;)

Those bike that you refer to are let down in soooo many ways that have nothing to do with my Rapunzel-like leg hair...

Texbike

[fiataccompli]

Though tongue-in-cheek, I thought the analogy to detailing or polishing race car parts applies. There's some psychology for sure.

[Bob Ross]

I can get with their notion that cyclists shave their legs (in part) to "express their commitment to a lifestyle." I'll go one step further: I'd contend that anyone shaves any part of their body in order to "express their commitment to a lifestyle."

[Mattbotak]

Hair and road rash convinced me.

+1. Cleaning the grit from hairy road rash legs is a pain.

[Coluber42]

Here's my take on the road rash argument. So, road rash sucks regardless. The first quantity we are interested in is, how much more does it suck if your legs are hairy than if they are shaved?
The second quantity is, how often do you crash and get road rash?
Let's say for the sake of argument that you expect an experience with road rash once every ten years.
The third quantity is, how much does it suck to shave your legs and how often do you need to do it in order to reduce the first quantity? Again for the sake of argument (and having only shaved my legs once in my life I have no idea), let's say that's every two weeks for eightish months of the year, or 16-20 times per year, or 160-200 times over ten years. (and that is still assuming that you don't get road rash in the winter, due to either tights or not riding)

Is the road rash suckage reduction factor worth shaving your legs 200 times for? Personally, my answer under these parameters would be a resounding no. A little extra pain and mess due to something that would still hurt anyway is better than shaving 200 times. However, if I could get a similar suckage reduction from shaving only once a month and I tended to get road rash every year or two, I might feel differently.

I've had a number of minor crashes in my adult life, but the last time I had anything resembling a large area of road rash, I was 12. As I am currently 32, had I shaved my legs all along, I would have done so hundreds of times without the circumstance under which it might have helped ever cropping up.

[FlashUNC]

First rule of crashes -- like flats -- is never talk about how they never happen to you.

[Duende]

Road rash once every ten years? Wow.... Lucky!

I don't race anymore but still just in the last year I got cut off by a car... Serious road rash and some bone micro fractures in my elbow. And earlier in the year had a broken pedal which tore a gash up my leg.

I don't know any cyclist who doesn't have scars up and down their legs. Doesn't matter how safe you are imo.... 5hit happens.

[AgilisMerlin]

and, how about those- that occasionally shave their legs /

[christian]

I don't know any cyclist who doesn't have scars up and down their legs.Maybe they're all just terrible at shaving?

[mcteague]

How many who cite road rash and ease of sunscreen application also shave their arms? If they don't, vanity is the real reason for leg shaving.:D

Tim

[bluesea]

I take the dog for long walks twice a day, rain or shine in nothing more than boardshorts and rubber slippers. When I was a kid back in the day, the rubba slippas stayed at home.

So I guess its ok for youz guys to shave your legs.

[fiataccompli]

I'm not sure why (perhaps) illogical tradition is troubling to some...it's not like it infringes on anyone's human rights or something. Of the original question was why 'riders' vs 'racers' seems a valid question. In my case I never did prior to racing.

Sent from my SCH-R970 using Tapatalk

[Duende]

Maybe they're all just terrible at shaving?

Hmmm. You might be on to something there! ;)

[Saint Vitus]

As an everyday cyclist I have zero impetus to shave my legs, Coluber42 makes a good argument against the practice for us regular folks. It won't make me faster, girls won't flock to me (hell I'm married anyway), I don't always use sunblock and anytime I've gotten rash it wasn't just on my legs. And hell I'm man enough to snatch a sissy band-aid off my hairy leg.

I suspect there is a certain right of passage factor as well as the subtle competitive/intimidation factor that it passively exudes. It also makes one a serious devotee of the sport, the unshaven are akin to the unwashed/uninformed/unknowing. I guess there is a certain elitist factor going there as well.

Something else for me not to bother, besides the PITA factor of close shaving, is the extra water usage to get the job done right. I hate shaving my face and usually have a five o'clock shadow that I keep in check with Wahl clippers, but that level of shave on my legs would be far more of a constant irritant than a rare rash plaster removal or sunblock application.

[Mark McM]

As far as shaving and road rash:

Shaving may actually make wound healing worse, not better, as it was previously believed. Studies have shown that shaved skin is more prone to infection, due to razors creating microtrauma. The presence of hair has not shown to cause any wound hygene problems. It is no longer standard practice to shave areas around wounds during medical care, due to the increased risk of infection.

Here's what the Merck Manual says about laceration and abrasion wound care (http://www.merckmanuals.com/professional/injuries_poisoning/lacerations/lacerations.html?qt=skin abrasion&alt=sh#v1110280):

"Removing hair from laceration edges is not necessary for wound hygiene but can make markedly hairy areas (eg, scalp) easier to work on. If necessary, hair is removed by clipping with scissors, not shaving; razors create microtrauma, allowing skin pathogens to enter and increasing risk of infection."


In my own experience with road rash, I've only experienced major road rash once. It is definitely painful and can make everyday activities, and even sleeping, quite uncomfortable. But the most annoying places I found was the road rash on my shoulders and back. The road rash on my legs was no worse than the road rash on my arms. And yet, I don't hear about anyone shaving their arms, shoulders or backs in case they might crash and get road rash.

[DarkStar]

Stopped shaving upon joining the ranks of the recreational riders, loath to be perceived as a poseur.:banana:

[CunegoFan]

I hate shaving my face and usually have a five o'clock shadow that I keep in check with Wahl clippers, but that level of shave on my legs would be far more of a constant irritant than a rare rash plaster removal or sunblock application.

I use Wahl clippers with no guard to buzz my legs. I go about two weeks between buzzings.

[fuzzalow]

I have not raced in well over 20 years. Time constraints usually consign me to permanent status of weekend warrior, and so far this year not even that.

I still shave my legs. I have no concern for what anybody might think about that. I have not the slightest insecurity that I am slower than somebody else on the road.

I do it out of vanity - I like the look. Plus it is the closest I will ever come to an outward sign of interest group or party affiliation.

[AustinB]

Hi all.

Couldn't help but notice this posting and being the creator of LEG LUBE Performance Shave Gel I had to chime in. It was created by cyclists for cyclists so you know if performs. Check out our reviews on www.leglube.com and have a great season.

[Saint Vitus]

I use Wahl clippers with no guard to buzz my legs. I go about two weeks between buzzings.

You can get skin close with the Wahl? I can't on my face, hence the reason I use it. If I want baby bottom smooth I break out the electric razor.

Anyway it's a "To each his or her own" choice. I make no judgement on those that do for what ever reason and take no umbrage from those that run from my hairy legs.

I do know this; All the riders passing me have smooth legs, but this is an outward appearance of an inward commitment.

[makoti]

Because it's rule #33. I have no choice.
http://www.velominati.com/etiquette/every-day-is-leg-day/

[CunegoFan]

You can get skin close with the Wahl? I can't on my face, hence the reason I use it. If I want baby bottom smooth I break out the electric razor.


It is not razor close but close enough for me. It feels fine to the touch, especially after a few days. Whether it works for you might come down to the thickness and stiffness your leg hairs. If you have hair like barbed wire then it won't work.

[bcroslin]

For those of you with ape legs: here's how to shave (http://youtu.be/dzpsJQN4o-Y)

[unterhausen]

I shaved a couple of years ago when I decided I was going to start using KT tape for my knee issues, which have continued to get better to the point I just ignore them. So I don't need to shave now, and I don't. I have to admit, I really like it for a batch of reasons that I'm sure are already covered in this thread. The impetus to start again is fairly low. However, if my loud-mouthed idiot stepbrother mentions it again, I'll start shaving again.

[TimAZ]

i don't shave mine anymore. I do buzz them with electric clippers, so they are nearly shaved. The big benefit is putting on sunblock, which for some reason the article did not mention.

100%

[gbcoupe]

Well this thread was pulled out of the dark ages.

I stopped shaving my legs a few years ago. I'm not fast enough any more and would just feel like a tool. I do think it looks and feels better though.

The 1st time I ever shaved, I was having some trouble. The razor kept getting clogged, so I thought it'd be a good idea to use my moms Nare. That got most of it. I touched up the rest with the razor. Big mistake!. Didn't realize the Nare turned my skin into mush. Sloughed off in sheets. It was a bloody mess! The bath tub looked like something out of a horror film. Good times. :no:

[54ny77]

oh come on....it's tradition and vanity! one key plus is leg massage is nicer, unless you're the masseuse and the client has 3-4 days of stubble then it's like rubbing 100 grit.

if you're claiming "well golly it's less painful when i crash and get banged up," well then.....don't crash. still need to shave? ehhhh, didn't think so.

:D :bike:

[flying]

I always wonder why anyone thinks it is a big deal or even needs any explanation at all.

We (most) shave our face daily none ask....but shave anything else & all kinds of questions arise.

Truth is after 35+ years of it I don't even think about it....No more than I think about shaving my face in the morning.

I leave a razor in shower & takes me literally 20 seconds per leg during a shower

[Blue Jays]

Everyday!

[rustychisel]

2014 :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

I miss some of those guys

[mcteague]

Wow, a real oldie. As I don't race I never used to shave my legs. When I retired and started riding 4-5 times a week my leg definition improved. Just like the lack of hair on the top of my head, my legs also have little. It mostly is tufts on the knee and a bit above. The lower leg is nearly hairless. So, lately I have been dragging a razor over the tufts to make them look the same, upper and lower leg. During short season I think it looks better although I doubt anyone but me really notices.

Tim

[Red Tornado]

Road rash. The ONLY reason I shave.

[oldpotatoe]

HA..a tubular thread, a disc brake thread and now a leg shaving thread..wonder what's next?

I'll start
Campagnolo is far superior to shimano and sram isn't even on the same page in terms of quality and performance. People that use sram are bunch of _______, oh, never mind.
->>>>:):):)

Next, 'steel is real'...any others?:hello:

[unterhausen]

were there ever arguments about Ti being forever bikes?

[Mikej]

What’s the deal with airline peanuts???

[gbcoupe]

What’s the deal with airline peanuts???

You're still flying!?

[thwart]

2014 :eek::eek::eek::eek::eek:

I miss some of those guys

Yep. Me too.

Hope 'Uncle Jam's Army' is still with us, he had CLL. 'firerescuefin' was a great presence here as well.

[C40_guy]

We (most) shave our face daily none ask....but shave anything else & all kinds of questions arise.


Well...it depends what "anything else" is.

Not that I want to know!

:)

[Spaghetti Legs]

Great dredge! Better than a disc brake argument. That article looks like one I might have written. I shaved my legs before my first race, theorizing that other riders would dig a little deeper to catch a guy with massively hairy legs. It’s been about 10 years since my last road race but I still use the clippers. My legs are very hairy and they feel soft and weak when they’re not shorn.

I freely admit it’s a mental and vanity thing. Also, I’ve watched a lot more pro soccer over the past few years and it’s pretty clear those guys shave their legs too.

[okayku]

I think there's some truth to carrying out tradition for some of the more hardcore cyclists (just like making sure your bike is clean when starting a race, etc.), but in the end I think it's a vanity thing, purely aesthetic, and done to fit in the crowd / club.

[azrider]

What’s the deal with airline peanuts???

Have you ever seen Ellen Degeneres stand up bit about airplane peanuts......it's pretty good

[redir]

Wow going on 6 years old now! I never did. I said to myself if/when I get to Cat 1 I will shave my legs. I clawed my way up to Cat 2 so I never made it. That's as far as I will ever go.

[benb]

I always figured guys would be *less* likely to take you seriously with shaved legs and chase.

Though my best breakaway win came early in the season and I had tights on so no one would know...

I shaved a little bit when I was racing. Overall I think it's a big fat waste of time. I do think the mental thing is there, it's one more thing that I think makes you feel like you're being very serious and hard core.

But all the other stuff... aero, wound management, blah, blah, blah I have never bought any of it, and I've certainly had plenty of road rash both with and without hair.

And if you're like me and your hair grows super fast and is super coarse it's such a waste of time it seems like it will erase the time for one workout a week. Even using that time to review training data or read coaching material is probably more beneficial.

Absolutely 0 motivation for me to shave out of competition, even when I did it I didn't do it anytime I had any lull in racing at all.

[Dead Man]

i didnt shave, was even antagonistically anti-shave.... but once i started epilating, i realized how much i loved being hairless in general. so now im waxed from below the chest down. i usually dont do the arms, but will sometimes in the summer

and it has nothing to do w the bike at this point.

i said "wax," but i actually "sugar"- its a sugar paste thats applied cold and against the direction of growth, then ripped off in the direction of growth - less hairs break off, almost no irritation, no rash, just awesomely hairless smooth skin. highly recommend!

[azrider]

i didnt shave, was even antagonistically anti-shave.... but once i started epilating, i realized how much i loved being hairless in general. so now im waxed from below the chest down. i usually dont do the arms, but will sometimes in the summer

and it has nothing to do w the bike at this point.

i said "wax," but i actually "sugar"- its a sugar paste thats applied cold and against the direction of growth, then ripped off in the direction of growth - less hairs break off, almost no irritation, no rash, just awesomely hairless smooth skin. highly recommend!

Where does one find this so called “sugar” elixir?



Asking for friend 🤣😉

[Hawker]

I noticed when I turned 68 that the hair on my legs got seriously longer. It must be related to older guys getting more nose and ear hair? So, two or three times a year I hit my legs with the razor clippers a bit...not down to naked. Any yes, it is a bit less messy when applying sunblock.

[Dead Man]

Where does one find this so called “sugar” elixir?



Asking for friend 🤣😉

this be the one i use. i recommend using a smidge of baby powder to keep from sticking to the skin. especially important on the 'looser' skin areas nah mean?

https://www.amazon.com/Sugaring-Paste-Luxury-PRO-Long-Lasting/dp/B0734K93WM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=sugar+paste&qid=1584640577&sr=8-3

[Mark McM]

I always wonder why anyone thinks it is a big deal or even needs any explanation at all.

We (most) shave our face daily none ask....but shave anything else & all kinds of questions arise.

Men shave their faces primarily due to fashion and social convention. For the general public, men shaving their legs is not fashion or social convention, so it gets questioned.

(Male) cyclists shave their legs primarily for fashion and social convention within their sub-culture. Any other reasons given are rationalizations in an attempt to justify it to those outside their sub-culture (or even to rationalize to themselves).

[azrider]

this be the one i use. i recommend using a smidge of baby powder to keep from sticking to the skin. especially important on the 'looser' skin areas nah mean?

so when you said chest down you weren't kiddin :p:p

[rowebr]

After years of riding with hairy legs, I discovered that my bib shorts stay in place and don't creep up if I shave or at least keep the hair down to a stubble.

[Dead Man]

so when you said chest down you weren't kiddin :p:p

so clean

[kppolich]

I get asked this question alot. I rarely answer it the same way. My response is usually, because it's easier to clean yourself up when you crash. It looks pro. Shows off the tanlines better, etc.

[mac.]

this be the one i use. i recommend using a smidge of baby powder to keep from sticking to the skin. especially important on the 'looser' skin areas nah mean?

https://www.amazon.com/Sugaring-Paste-Luxury-PRO-Long-Lasting/dp/B0734K93WM/ref=mp_s_a_1_3?keywords=sugar+paste&qid=1584640577&sr=8-3

I think the Amazon reviews sold me on trying this out ;)

[pfr]

Arms and legs, gotta do it. Feels faster, is faster.

[makoti]

I'm old and slow. I have no reason to shave, anymore.
Do it anyway. I've grown to prefer the look.