Originally Posted by
achoo
No they don't.
They're like dimples on a golf ball: the scientifically-designed layout of the "hairs" causes a certain turbulence pattern in the air that actually reduces wind resistance.
Nice try, but you're making that up as you go along. Doesn't make sense on its face (how can you compare a 3/16" whisker to a dimple?). Plus the late, lamented Bicycle Guide magazine actually did a test on this, spinning hairy and shaved tires under controlled conditions, and the hairy ones did slow down more quickly. It wasn't a huge difference, but it was consistent.
Having said that, I ride them off unless I happen to be fixing a flat in front of the TV or something, when I might grab a pair of scissors and snip them.