Southern California - What's With the Leg Shaving?

I've been told quite a few times recently that I'd be shaving my legs in no time. Why would I want to, what would I get from it? I hate shaving my face and do that pretty infrequently, why would I haveto add in that much more surface area to maintain?

You'll get many stories and reasons for this. For me, the main reason is avoiding the caveman look which spandex seems to make worse.

My wife thinks it's sexy.

Men with shaved legs on bikes are very definitely sexy. Men with shaved legs who don't own bikes, not so much. But either way, shaved or not, you put a (single)man on a bike and in front of me, I'm drooling. As for the reasoning as to why they shave, I've been told it's so that any road rash they incur will be less without the hair. :D

JP:

you don't have to shave your legs if you don't want to. Some people will tell you there's an aerodynamic advantage, but since you're not racing at the international level, I doubt that it matters to you that much. Some people will tell you that it will help you stay cooler when you ride. Again, the difference is probably so negligible that you wouldn't notice. Someone else might tell you that it feels "cleaner" to shave your legs -- well that's a matter of personal preference and hygiene, and is completely individual.

The truth is, like with women shaving their legs or underarms, it's just a cultural norm, and nothing more. MOST cycling men shave their legs, but not all. I've noticed that the older men in our local club are much less likely to shave their legs than the younger men. And this "Old Guard" has a lot of very dedicated racers in it, who train and compete every bit as hard as the younger men. So, it's probably just reflective of a changing cultural norm. But do whatever makes you feel comfortable when you ride. If you don't want to fool with shaving, I doubt if anybody will really notice or care.

Now, if you get invited to pose for Playgirl, that might be a different story. You might want to consider shaving a lot more than just your legs . . . .

VP

I shaved when I was messing. I was on my bike all day everyday so collecting alot of crap, dirt, pollution on my legs.
If I slid out/crashed, if I was shaved, hairs covered in road filth weren't being ground into the wound and it heal sooo much faster, and it hurt less and was easier to clean and bandage. I commute now, and won;t consider shaving ...I'm simply not in the saddle enough.

I just started shaving to see what all the hype was about. Yes, its a pain. Riding wise, it definately feels cleaner, seems like the wind feels different, but I have no scientific proof of this. Drying off after a shower, much nicer. Will I continue? Only time will tell, but I will say I wont in the winter months.

The air doesn't 'tumble' as much behind the leg when shaved, but this is a minuscule aero difference. I know that feeling you speak of.

For the pros, it may make an aero difference. For 99% of the rest of us, its a vanity thing, and it does help with the wounds. When I have the legs to justify it, I'll give it a shot (yeah, vanity, I'll admit it). Until then, no way.

No thanks - I'm not racing so I neither care about wind resistance nor road rash. The only time I've fallen is when m.e. pushes me over (which is happening alarmingly often lately).

Way overdue shaving thread. Shaved legs look nicer and I've gotten used to the shaved look. No other reason for me.

Road rash, not only racers break dance on the tarmac.

+1 on the "Because it's secksy."

[i haven't done it for a while though... looks like i have something to look forwards to this weekend...] ;)

For me it was always a preventative measure against filling a road rash hipper or thigh with crap.

I can't stand shaving in the first place and I get 5 o'clock shadow by noon. Trying to keep my legs smooth would be an intolerable PITA. I'll just continue to focus on not falling.

It's fun.

+1 on the "Because it's secksy."

[i haven't done it for a while though... looks like i have something to look forwards to this weekend...] ;)


+2 WAAAYYYY SECKSY.

Privately, I'm with ME on this one -- well muscled, slightly tanned, firm and shapely legs, with a definite Y-Chromosome slant, shaved and spraypainted with lycra -- mmmmmm. Yummy, yummy, yummy. No wonder my chase/pursuit/close pack drafting skills have been improving lately.

jp and magicant, you don't know the feminine drool and fevered excitement you're missing out on by not shaving . . . .

VP

My wife thinks it's sexy.

Same here...:D

+2 WAAAYYYY SECKSY.

+1000000000000000000000000000000000000000 Yum.

Hair is for heads...smooth the rest out thankyouverymuch. :p

My wife thinks it's sexy.

My wife thinks it's creepy. YMMV

Da vimmin have spoken... Shaven legs are IT.

BTW, And men, don't even THINK of complaining about shaving your legs until you've experienced a bikini wax in your lifetime!

My wife thinks it's creepy. YMMV

No offense, Indolent, but I've never met you... but if you look anything like your avatar... well, I wouldn't put much into your wife's taste! ;)

It looks better than hairy legs, and it feels great in freshly washed jeans.

Same here...:DMy wife thinks your legs are sexy? I think I've been out riding too much.

My wife thinks your legs are sexy? I think I've been out riding too much.

No, he thinks your legs are sexy.

No thanks - I'm not racing so I neither care about wind resistance nor road rash. The only time I've fallen is when m.e. pushes me over (which is happening alarmingly often lately).
:eek: For that I'm going to shove you...um...I mean...I have NOT! :p :rolleyes: :D

Privately, I'm with ME on this one -- well muscled, slightly tanned, firm and shapely legs, with a definite Y-Chromosome slant, shaved and spraypainted with lycra -- mmmmmm. Yummy, yummy, yummy. No wonder my chase/pursuit/close pack drafting skills have been improving lately.

jp and magicant, you don't know the feminine drool and fevered excitement you're missing out on by not shaving . . . .

VP
:roflmao: Sweet Renee! EXACTLY!!! Although, Magicant's hairy legs are quite delicious, if I might say so to his utter embarrassment.:p I'm not commenting on JP's legs...he's married. :o

Hair is for heads...smooth the rest out thankyouverymuch. :p
Yes, if women have "smooth it out" - you boys should have to too! :D

Da vimmin have spoken... Shaven legs are IT.

BTW, And men, don't even THINK of complaining about shaving your legs until you've experienced a bikini wax in your lifetime!
+ 1,000,000,000 - ouch :eek: And I thought I had a high tolerance for pain too.

I have to say I quite agree. I think a guy's shaved legs feel great in freshly washed jeans, too . . . .

VP
:lol: You're on a roll, woman. Someone throw this gal a man in lycra! :p

ME:

As long as a guy's legs have no wedding ring on them, I'm looking, and admiring . . . and licking my chops.

VP

No, he thinks your legs are sexy.
:roflmao: I got to get out of here...:o

No, he thinks your legs are sexy.Oh, OK. Whew, I was worried for a few seconds.

Wazzamadda, ME? Gettin' too hot for ya in here already?

:roflmao: I got to get out of here...:o

Well....afterall, I do work at a beauty salon...:D

Wazzamadda, ME? Gettin' too hot for ya in here already?
No, I have to get packed, get to the bike store and drive to Anaheim! I got this little double thingy tomorrow. And I'm shaving my legs, beard and moustache for sure beforehand!. I might just pick me up some hot double rider who will be willing, post ride, to massage my sore areas...delicately and repeatedly. :D

there is something incredibly WRONG with that picture!!!
:eek:

ew. that picture is wrong in MANY ways.

ew. that picture is wrong in MANY ways.
+1 :eek: Quick, someone post an Extort "butt" shot! Please - or I'm going to start batting for the opposite team! :p

ew. that picture is wrong in MANY ways.

+2 Owww... my eyes hurt! :eek:

ew. that picture is wrong in MANY ways.


:eek: :eek: :eek: what the heck was that...... my computer is about to crash behind that picture.

I don't understand the fuss, but I took it down.

Since there's plenty of "Show off your bike..." threads, how about a "Show off your shaved legs thread"? http://www.wrxfanatics.com/style_emoticons/default/naughty.gif :lol:

Since there's plenty of "Show off your bike..." threads, how about a "Show off your shaved legs thread"? http://www.wrxfanatics.com/style_emoticons/default/naughty.gif :lol:

There was already one in Road Cycling. Amusing.

You mean there's no BF Lets-Shave-Each-Others-Legs-Then-Ride ride?! :eek:

This thread has gone downhill quickly. Who would have guessed?:rolleyes: :D

No offense, Indolent, but I've never met you... but if you look anything like your avatar... well, I wouldn't put much into your wife's taste! ;)

I look exactly like my avatar. What's your point?

I always understood that pros shaved their legs for massage. They wouldn't be able to perform at that level without daily massage therapy.

I think most guys shave their legs to show off muscle definition better. Hard to see those vein when they're covered with fuzz! I keep thinking of shaving my legs cause, like one of the earlier posts, I don't like seeing leg hairs sticking out of the tights. :mad:

Jim