Mountain Biking - What's wrong with fuzzy legs?

No, this is not a womens liberation issue.
I've been flipping through my bike mags, and something caught my eye.
Why does every single XC rider in bike magazines shave their legs?
Is it for less air resistance or what?

Easier to pick out rocks and bandaids stick better.

Here we go again for the umpteenth time - do a search.

No, this is not a womens liberation issue.
I've been flipping through my bike mags, and something caught my eye.
Why does every single XC rider in bike magazines shave their legs?
Is it for less air resistance or what?


XC nuts are Homosexual.

not that I have anything against Homosexuals - it is merely an ill-concieved joke designed to wind up xc nuts. In other words I've lit the touch paper and now I'm standing well back. Jebus loves you, I don't

I shaved my legs the day before my first sport class NORBA race about 10 years ago. I told people the same reasons every other cyclist recites: It makes cuts heal faster if you fall. It makes it easier for a massage therapist to work on you. It makes road rash less severe because the hair isn't being pulled out.

The truth was that I did it because that's what bike racers were SUPPOSED to do and I wanted to feel like a bike racer.

When I later started racing triathlons, I had to shave higher up because I raced in a Speedo (sorry to paint that picture!). That was pretty ridiculous but that's what triathletes are SUPPOSED to do, right?

I don't shave any more and won't even when I start racing again. I really don't much care about what I'm SUPPOSED to do any more.

I keep the fuzz. I just don't care enough. Besides my gf wouldn't like it and I sure wouldn't like all the extra maintenance :)

I can se why people that do thriathlons may shave. Hair gives a fairly high amount of resistance/drag when swimming. You need all the energy you can get.
But riding bikes?? I have had a lot of cuts and wounds on my legs without any problems, and my legs look like I'm half caveman.
I just shave a small area around the wound so the bandages will stick. (depending on the size of the wound)
Think it looks silly with shaved legs on men. We are supposed to be furry.

XC nuts are Homosexual.

not that I have anything against Homosexuals - it is merely an ill-concieved joke designed to wind up xc nuts. In other words I've lit the touch paper and now I'm standing well back. Jebus loves you, I don't

:roflmao:

I shaved my legs the day before my first sport class NORBA race about 10 years ago. I told people the same reasons every other cyclist recites: It makes cuts heal faster if you fall. It makes it easier for a massage therapist to work on you. It makes road rash less severe because the hair isn't being pulled out.

The truth was that I did it because that's what bike racers were SUPPOSED to do and I wanted to feel like a bike racer.

When I later started racing triathlons, I had to shave higher up because I raced in a Speedo (sorry to paint that picture!). That was pretty ridiculous but that's what triathletes are SUPPOSED to do, right?

I don't shave any more and won't even when I start racing again. I really don't much care about what I'm SUPPOSED to do any more.

Well, I guess we can remove your name from the serious racer list and put you on the "I just want to finish, and perhaps get in your way list!" :D

Here we go again for the umpteenth time - do a search.

Look at this thread:

http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=81486

ask any of the medics that work road races, they will tell ya the crashes in the rookies races are usualy the worst to clean up after because the roadrash is so much worse on unshaven legs...when you slide on pavement with hairy legs it just makes hamburger out of the flesh.. where a shaved leg tends to slide easier witout pulling...
I haven't polished the guns in a long time, but used to in the shower every couple days when i was was riding road a lot.. for those that have knocked it without trying it.. there really is nothing like it.. it makes you feel faster.. the legs feel cooler..makes it easier for self massage.. can lead to unexpected wood with any cool brease when walking in shorts tho.. beware 8-)

. . . there really is nothing like it.. it makes you feel faster.. the legs feel cooler..makes it easier for self massage.. can lead to unexpected wood with any cool brease when walking in shorts tho.. beware 8-)

LOL - thanks for my morning laugh.

Vanity. Cyclists shave to show off their legs.

Besides my gf wouldn't like it

You sure about that? A lot of women really like the shaved leg thang. I know I do. er....I mean the other way around.....seriously........I like girls and you can't prove otherwise!

I know I'd never shave my legs just for cycling. :p If someone finds it better that way, sure, shave, but don't force me to. ;)

Slightly off topic but what exactly is road rash?

I suspect mostly vanity. Not that I ain't a little bit vain or narcissistic. After training for mor than a year, my legs are starting to get a bit of definition. The fuzz kind of occludes it. Now if I was going to be standing on a podium or otherwise be getting photographed, I think I would want no fuzz.

vanity may be a part of it.. but i don't think it's as much as you think.. if you end up ridin with a bunch of hardcores that keep it clean, you eventually may try it out of curiousity.. and like it..

You sure about that? A lot of women really like the shaved leg thang. I know I do. er....I mean the other way around.....seriously........I like girls and you can't prove otherwise!

Yep I keep hearing that and I haven't found a girl yet who does. I am sure they are out there, but the girls I hang with, like men with a little fuzz (not man beasts though)

I'm no XC nut but I shave the legs. I used to crash all the time and it definitely helped with the road rash, gravel removal, application of hydrocortizone lotion (for the poison oak), etc. Then again, I pretty much shave everything from the neck down! :eek:

No, this is not a womens liberation issue.
I've been flipping through my bike mags, and something caught my eye.
Why does every single XC rider in bike magazines shave their legs?
Is it for less air resistance or what?

Fuzzy legs are okay on a bear or mountain bike rider.