Road Cycling - Shaved or furry legs?

I am an ex-mtn bike racer and have converted to a roadie after having shoulder surgery. When I was racing my mtn bike, I could understand the need for shaving my legs. They were always getting cut up and needed to be attended to. However, I'm not seeing any concrete reasons for shaving my legs while I'm on the road. I'm sure there are reasons that I haven't figured out yet. So if anyone can enlighten me, it would be appreciated.

Thanks

When you crash, you will crash- especially if you're racing, you'll know why to shave your legs.
Ride wheels douwn
Pat

As Pat points out, shaved legs minimize complications to road rash. If yo crash you'll be less likely to leave large chunks of yourself on the pavement, you'll be less likely to infect the wound on the way home with hair and grit caught in the hair on your legs and it will be easier to clean and dress the wound on the road.

Having said that, I don't race these days, so I don't shave. Go watch a crit sometime, though, and you'll understand.

Trackies, BTW, shave their arms as well.

You'll certainly look cooler and get more respect in a group ride of serious road guys--furry legs are a red flag that you might be squirrelly (just be sure you are able to hold a straight line). Shaved legs are great for post ride massages too.

I think shaved legs in my opinion shows dedication to the sport of cycling. It shows people that this "person" is serious into riding. I've been asked by non-riders why I "do it"..shave my legs. I really have no serious answer for them but that its been done by cyclists for sometime now. Then I give them the road rash reason. Thats my two cents......Anyways chicks dig shaved legs..:D

How do you stop your wife using your last razor?

Richard (complete with beard) :blush:

Hey! My neighborhood squirrels are not happy about their species being maligned like that!
I don't shave my legs, either, and nobody calls me a squirrel (at least, not to my face! I have been called "Chewbaca", though!). with a decent amount of body hair, having shaved legs and hairy arms would look ridiculous, and would leave me cold on days like the ones we have been getting lately. I'm seriously considering growing a beard again, like I did last winter. Sure makes those polar rides more comfy.

Where's that "Greatlegs" guy when you need him?

Well, I've decided to actually go ahead and do it. However, on that note I want to know how many people would actually shave if it wasn't considered a status symbol by other rides. Anyone? Or is that whole road rash stuff just an excuse to tell non-riders?

I took a hiatus from riding for several years and still kept shaving. And yes chicks (including my wife) do dig it, lol! When I first started road riding, I shaved once I heard of the road rash bennies as well as the mess hairy gams got during a massage. After that I guess it did feed my ego knowing I was a "serious" rider. Hey, I'm a secure male so I had no prob doing it in the first place. BTW, in a TT, you are a tad more aero and do save a bit ot time. I'm the one stealing the last blade.

Hi , well here are my thoughts.
I enjoy having shaved legs, and as I said in another post, my wife thinks they are the best lookin' legs in our town and at my age I need all the compliments I can get! (my thoughts not hers)
I shave because it makes me feel like I am committed to cycling. It is also a follow on from road and track racing, which I have dabbled in over the years.
Also when you have a massage it feels great- no furry knots on the legs that make me scream! :D

PS. No squirrels in this neck of the woods.;)

climin'foo,
If you look through the old posts on bikeforums, you will find lots of posts with lots of reasons for shaving. Here is a quote that I don't remember seeing before.

"But cyclists have to shave, because when gravel gets into your skin, it's easier to clean and bandage if you have no hair."
-- Lance Armstrong, It's Not About the Bike


You don't have to be a racer or young to shave.
I don't race (although I've though about it from time to time) and I'm not young (I'm 56) but I shave for the same reason Lance talks about, and because sunscreen goes on easier, and because my wife likes the looks and feel, and because I've got something to show off (great legs).

Enough said!!

But do you get pimply red shaving rash like some women get, and, how far up do you shave - I presume as far as the cycle short line, not the full bikini wax.

Aargh!!


Stew

If you are going to do it you might as well shave the whole kit and kaboodle.

So how come you've got 2 squirrels strapped to your cheeks then?

Stew

But do you get pimply red shaving rash like some women get
I don't get the red bumps. If you do try putting lotion in that area to soothe the irritation.



how far up do you shave - I presume as far as the cycle short line
I shave about 2 inches above the cycling shorts line. Casual work attire is permitted where I work and sometimes my street shorts go slightly above the "tan line" when I sit down and I don't want any unsightly hair showing. :D

when you crash the least of your worries will be if you a hair in a wound, look for the rocks ,glass sticks.ect...dont shave it ticks the hope to be racers off. and while they are worrying ride past them. if you were a mountain biker you know style is for wannbe's. it the ride not what you think you should look like for someone else!