Fifty Plus (50+) - To Shave or Not to Shave

As I rode along the coast this week end and yesterday I couldn't help but notice that many of those on high end bikes are sporting the finest in attire and all appear to shave.

Do you shave? If so: Why?

Where is a good stopping point once you've started? Au naturale for me.

There is no category for "Puleeeze! I can't believe this is a serious question."

I assume you meant legs. I dont shave them, but, I do use the beard trimmers on them May thru Sept when I am slathering on the sunblock.

Makes no difference to me one way or the other. Most of the guys in our club (ages from 35 - 70) dont shave their legs, but a few do.

There is no category for "Puleeeze! I can't believe this is a serious question."

And your first clue was?

A non scientific survey says:

Actually I noticed cyclist of all body types who were riding high end CF bikes with full kits seemed to shave.
Those who were closer to our age, like myself, do not shave.

Never!

Get a clue, nobody really needs this. It's like using clipless pedals based on the notion (fantasy) that you gain by being able to pull up on the return stroke. Or having a trainer so you can stay in form over the winter. Or wearing the full spandex outfit. Get a life. bk

Get a clue, nobody really needs this. It's like using clipless pedals based on the notion (fantasy) that you gain by being able to pull up on the return stroke. Or having a trainer so you can stay in form over the winter. Get a life. bk

I really like clipless pedals. I would not go back to pedals with toeclips.

As for leg shaving, it is personal. If you and your SO like it, go for it. I am not sure there is a scientific reason to shave.

We once commissioned Jet Travis to perform a scientific study on this topic. I await his response to this thread.

Many of us had dismissed it as unworthy of debate, until someone told us that shaved legs were attractive to women.

i wear filson high-top boots and jeans to ride in. i haven't shaved my goatee in well over a year. the only time i like lycra is when it's on the woman riding in front of me. yes i shave. my head.

I really like clipless pedals. I would not go back to pedals with toeclips.

As for leg shaving, it is personal. If you and your SO like it, go for it. I am not sure there is a scientific reason to shave.

I agree, a very personal thing. I shave my legs, because they're REALLY FURRY if I don't. Sun block goes on easier, massage is lots easier and road rash is lots easier to clean without all that hair in the scabs :D.

I use clipless pedals and I do pull up, esp. when climbing. Last weekend I kept pulling out when pulling up because my cleats were worn out. I have new cleats now!

I don't have a personal trainer because, honestly, I'm too cheap. I don't doubt, however, that a good trainer would improve my speed and performance on the bike.

Rick / OCRR

I agree, a very personal thing. I shave my legs, because they're REALLY FURRY if I don't. Sun block goes on easier, massage is lots easier and road rash is lots easier to clean without all that hair in the scabs :D.

I use clipless pedals and I do pull up, esp. when climbing. Last weekend I kept pulling out when pulling up because my cleats were worn out. I have new cleats now!

I don't have a personal trainer because, honestly, I'm too cheap. I don't doubt, however, that a good trainer would improve my speed and performance on the bike.

Rick / OCRR

You vill ride faster! Faster I say.

Oh, hell no! I'm basically in Fred mode these days, but when I did wear the latest spandex and ride my full Campy Colnago framed roadster I wouldn't shave...but then, I didn't race and my wife would not have appreciated me shaving my legs more often than she did her own!!

You vill ride faster! Faster I say.

Yes Maxx,

The Whip would work too, esp. on those days when I seem to be lacking motivation. Actually, motivation to ride is always there. Motivation to work hard, hurt and suffer (yeah, intervals) . . . sometimes lacking :).

Rick / OCRR

It's like using clipless pedals based on the notion (fantasy) that you gain by being able to pull up on the return stroke.

Actually you do get a boost, clipless or toe clips. But the biggest boost is that by lifting your upstroke foot, it is no longer on the pedal and you don't have to push its weight up. So you are not fighting yourself as you do when your foot remains on the pedal. :D

[QUOTE=bkaapcke;6401098]Get a clue, nobody really needs this. It's like using clipless pedals based on the notion (fantasy) that you gain by being able to pull up on the return stroke. Or having a trainer so you can stay in form over the winter. Or wearing the full spandex outfit. Get a life. bk[/QUOTE

You're right, nobody needs to shave, but you're off on the other stuff. Having a trainer, (I guess you mean the kind you put your bike on, not a personal trainer), can help you stay in shape when you can't get on the road. If you don't care, then you don't need one.
Clipless pedals are so far superior to flat pedals or clips and straps that it isn't even worth discussing.

Do you shave? If so: Why?

:eek:

Heck no!!!! Not in the middle of winter! :eek:

We need all the insulation we can get.

I guess if you're a female who has smooth legs (not necessarily for cycling reasons), you'll skew the poll results. :D

I guess if you're a female who has smooth legs (not necessarily for cycling reasons), you'll skew the poll results. :D

That could happen!! :D

I am training for a triathlon (entered and finished one in Dec 07, hope to enter a couple more this year). The swimmers at the pool where I train have cyclists beat hands down for shaving! LOL

Seasonally I shave my face (well, most of it). Back in my bodybuilding days I did the full treatment for special occasions, but the maintenance overhead was well in excess of the ROI.

When my Barber asks how far down I want my neck hair trimmed, I tell her she should probably stop when she hits cleavage.

I guess if you're a female who has smooth legs (not necessarily for cycling reasons), you'll skew the poll results. :D

Ditto. Yes, I shave my legs, and always have. Not a bike-related thing. :p

Get a clue, nobody really needs this. It's like using clipless pedals based on the notion (fantasy) that you gain by being able to pull up on the return stroke. Or having a trainer so you can stay in form over the winter. Or wearing the full spandex outfit. Get a life. bk
+1:D

I ride mostly with my race team, and I shave. For me, it's part of the "cyclist's lifestyle".

As others have noted, it makes it easier to put on sunscreen.

But, the real bottom line reasons are:


tribal ritual - to fit in with the fast guys, and be taken seriously at races

vanity - shaved legs simply look better than hairy legs


I've also found that athletic women much prefer shaved legs...my new girlfriend (a national caliber runner) certainly agrees. ;):D

Do you shave? If so: Why?

I did for a few years at the tail end of my USCF "career", mostly so I'd look serious. 'Course, once I started to ride, that blew that illusion. :rolleyes:

Scott P
Bend, OR

Shaving the legs is bit overkill for me -- too "high maintenance". However, I do use an electric hair trimmer to keep things at a nice, uniform 1/4" or less. Once every two weeks does it!

I will not, will not, even if you beg
I will not, will not, if you tell aunt Peg
I won't do it, even for a keg
I will not, will not, shave these legs.

I shave. If I don't the wife says I look much older. On the Legs? More of a fad thing I feel. Now maybe if you were a swimmer.

As mentioned previously, shaving the legs is primarily a pro racer thing, makes treating the scrapes and cuts from crashes easier and less painful. I don't think there is really any performance (aero) gain. If you're a racer, you likely need to....I ain't no racer, so I don't. :)

Shave? In a word, no.
Besides, I find, as I get older, that I'm losing my leg hair, anyway
Why bother?

Besides, I find, as I get older, that I'm losing my leg hair, anyway
Why bother?

the leg hair does seem to get thinner, doesnt it?

the leg hair does seem to get thinner, doesnt it?

Just wish the nasal and ear hair went the same way.

There are memorable one-liners about leg-shaving cyclists in both "Breaking Away" and "American Flyers."

Ah, bukakke the contrarian is back. :lol:

I shave . But only in summer

I shave. Reason, I like the look. I don't have much hair on my legs anymore anyway and it grows in in stupid looking patches so that cinches it.

The lawn is starting to green up. I've got enough real estate to look after.

I never did before, but I'm considering it for this year. A couple of MTBers explained that they shave to prevent infection when they fall. Hairy legs pull skin more and invite infection when a cut occurrs. I don't know, maybe I will maybe I won't.

I never did before, but I'm considering it for this year. A couple of MTBers explained that they shave to prevent infection when they fall. Hairy legs pull skin more and invite infection when a cut occurrs. I don't know, maybe I will maybe I won't.

I keep reading the road rash argument. I don't believe it. Any scientific studies? I think it is just someone's made-up rationale that everyone else is conveniently using.

I think not...too much maintenance. Besides, I live too close to Palm Springs. :D

As per usual, there wasn't a good choice listed for me. I shave the legs a few times per year, especially in the indoor swimming season, when I have to do my back anyway. I don't mind the shaved look; but trying to keep them smooth all the time, takes too much time.

I've also found that athletic women much prefer shaved legs...my new girlfriend (a national caliber runner) certainly agrees. ;):D I'm not to be considered an athletic woman, then, because I definitely *don't* prefer shaved legs on men. Looks girly, and I wanna be the girl in the relationship.

Just wish the nasal and ear hair went the same way.

It's terrible isn't it.

I have a confession to make. I have a bald spot that is noticeable to everyone. It was caused by break dancing. We need to remind our children and grandchildren not to practice such a hazardous dance routine.

Break Dancing and BMX used to go together! (http://www.vimeo.com/570/)

As per usual, there wasn't a good choice listed for me. I shave the legs a few times per year, especially in the indoor swimming season, :eek:when I have to do my back anyway:eek:. I don't mind the shaved look; but trying to keep them smooth all the time, takes too much time.

Would you mind putting a video on YouTube of the back shaving process. I can't imagine your unbelievable flexibility! You really need to share that with the rest of us.

I didn't shave my legs but after a particularly nasty fall a couple of weeks ago, I sure as hell shave now and will continue to shave.

I don't and I think at my age it is pretty silly to start shaving my legs just because I ride a bike. If I raced it might be a different story. I have had plenty of scrapes and the momentary pain of yanking off a bandage is preferable to the effort required to maintain shaved legs.

Anything for that extra optical inch.....

I asked my wife what she thought I would look like with a beard. Her reply: "lonely!"
So I shave my face.
Anything else? No way, I need all the hair I have.

I keep reading these threads, and nobody ever answers my question = What about my back?

Now: Force of habit, have had them shaved for years and years.

Original reasons: mainly keeps them clean after road rash, and the tape doesn't hurt. Fricken medical tape hurts like hell when it is also ripping off a couple sq.inches of hair with it around an already sensitive cut area. Also, keeps bugs off the legs.
Never really for aero reasons, but that was always used as an excuse to non-roadies who asked why.

Plus now my massage therapist likes that they are smooth and easier to work on.

zac