Road Cycling - Why shave your legs?

I wear the dorky shorts, helmet, and shoes, but can't, for the life of me, understand why cyclists shave their legs. So many people, and most pros do it so there must be a fairly good reason for it.

Is it a sweat, areodynamics, or esthetics? What am I missing?

Easier to massage, and easier to clean wounds after a crash (less scarring). It also shows off the toned muscles- some women REALLY dig it!!!

DEMON

I wear the dorky shorts, helmet, and shoes, but can't, for the life of me, understand why cyclists shave their legs. So many people, and most pros do it so there must be a fairly good reason for it.

Is it a sweat, areodynamics, or esthetics? What am I missing?
Maybe you answered your own question,because its just like all the stuff you listed,ir dorky.I ride year round and have no reason to do it.

If you ever race, you will shave your legs after your first fall, guaranteed. ;)

Ditto to the above reasons. If my legs are exposed (i.e. not during the winter) I "shave" (actually, I use a cream. faster) in case I have a nasty wreck. Also, if you pull a longer two-day ride, it'll make the massage a bit better. Don't know if that's proven, but a masseuse (sp?) once said it was easier for them. And a final reason (I'd be lying if I didn't admit it): it makes the legs look DAMN sexy!

I'm not sure which reason is #1. Probably sexy legs, but I do know shaved legs certainly saved me a little pain after a wreck once...

but don't you legs get itchy like facial hair? or do you just keep on saving before it itches?

Better living through chemistry!!! With my sasquatch DNA, shaving would be an everyday task.

DEMON

It looks much better when wearing panty hose.

Speaking of pantyhose.......I have worn those opaque skin toned pantyhose at times I have forgotten to shave.

...can't, for the life of me, understand why cyclists shave their legs.
Looks! Show off what you've worked hard for. :D

I will never shave my legs. No need to look all girly when I can maintain my manlyness and give the fleas a place to live ;)

Body hair looks ugly to me
hairless legs clean easier
hair is dirty

hair is dirty? I don't get that reasoning at all.

I will never shave my legs. No need to look all girly when I can maintain my manlyness and give the fleas a place to live ;)

Ah, Sam, you're such a sensitive guy, always thinking about making life easier for the other guy, or in the case, flea.

I would take my hat off to you, but the moths which nest therein might escape.

hair is dirty? I don't get that reasoning at all.

I guess he does not take showers or baths regularly. Me, I take at least one a month whether I need it or not ;).

Ah, Sam, you're such a sensitive guy, always thinking about making life easier for the other guy, or in this case, flea.

I would take my hat off to you, but the moths which nest therein might escape.

I know. You can't accuse me of not loving animals. I am an environmentalist of sorts you might say.

So how do the moths like it when you don the helmet and begin to sweat on their dinner table?

Ditto to the above reasons. If my legs are exposed (i.e. not during the winter) I "shave" (actually, I use a cream. faster) in case I have a nasty wreck. Also, if you pull a longer two-day ride, it'll make the massage a bit better. Don't know if that's proven, but a masseuse (sp?) once said it was easier for them. And a final reason (I'd be lying if I didn't admit it): it makes the legs look DAMN sexy!

I'm not sure which reason is #1. Probably sexy legs, but I do know shaved legs certainly saved me a little pain after a wreck once...
Can understand if you reac but not just ride but whatever works.

I guess he does not take showers or baths regularly. Me, I take at least one a month whether I need it or not ;).

I thought I had more lines to that post.
Its annoying to wash the legs when they have long, thick hair.
hair traps lovely things
hair gets in the way (of the skin...)

1) much easier to apply sun screen
2) they feel cooler on hot summer days
3) in winter a hairy leg will hold the water and road grit to the skin
4) hairy thighs make short elastic slide up a bit
5) they look better shaved
6) tradition
7) road rash
8) a sign of commitment to the sport
9) to have constant discussions like this:D

To me, shaving my legs would be planning to fall. I do not plan on falling. (AND I don't race.)

My wife made me do it!

9) to have constant discussions like this:D

Next to sleeping, discussing this topic takes up the most time in my life! ;)

"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

Quoted from his book titled "It's not about the bike: My journey back to life".

The dead horse lives again. Just search this subject and you'll find plenty of info.

"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

Quoted from his book titled "It's not about the bike: My journey back to life".Well if lance does it,my god i'm starting right now and go out and buy a trek bike,in fact i want to look like lance.Oh i dont have to,i can just go riding this weekend and see tons of them.

There are few things grosser than sweaty hairy legs.

because all the guys on the team do it and I want to be included and when I'm picking out peaches in the produce section I want a 20 year old princess to notice me and think I'm cool and different.

because all the guys on the team do it and I want to be included and when I'm picking out peaches in the produce section I want a 20 year old princess to notice me and think I'm cool and different.

It's just hair on your legs...

I can't believe everyone cares so much!! You either do it, or you don't. It surely can't make that bigger impact on your life, and if it does, you need to get out more. ;)

but don't you legs get itchy like facial hair?

Not really, but I don't get itchy from regular shaving. My hair isn't all that coarse. In fact, I can't even grow a beard and I'm 30 :D

Another thing re cleaning your legs: it's GREAT for mountain biking because the hairs don't trap burrs, etc and get all tangled up :)

Looks! Show off what you've worked hard for. :D

Yes, and plus, it really gets girls attention!

It's funny, i used to be completely against shaving when i raced mtn. bikes, i thought of it as a roadie thing. Now I ride more road and have given in to the shaving and have found the biggest benefit to be when I ride mtn. I am highly allergic to poison ivy and after a summer ride I can just hose off my legs and no rash. It's kind of funny, the stigma that surrounds such a simple thing.

To me, shaving my legs would be planning to fall. I do not plan on falling. (AND I don't race.)
By this rationale, I guess you don't wear seatbelts when driving. No-one plans to crash, it just happens.

It's kind of funny, the stigma that surrounds such a simple thing.
It's only a stigma for those that don't shave. People that shave NEVER bring this topic up!

CHEERS.

Mark

I do it cause it looks good and I want to see my definition. I also shaved when I used to swim. It also think it looks kinda weird with hairy legs and bike shorts. Imagine hairy swimmers. I think its all about the looks call me vain. On a side note my hair on my upper leg under my butt seems to bother my on long rides. My shorts pull at my hair and the pain is unbearable. a friend told me NEVER shave your ass but I think I need a trim.

I think basketball players should shave their armpits. (and does anyone think the tatooing craze will ever infect pro cycling?)
In fact I think it's unfortunate mankind hasn't yet evolved to a more hairless state.

I shaved once and kinda liked it. It felt good on the bike. My legs did have much more definition. The thing was, I was COLD! Even in the summer, I had a chill from the A/C. I didn't realize how much warmer I was with my leg hair.

Plus, the most important reason why I don't. My wife HATED IT! I mean HATED it! She said she'd divorce me if I did it again, and I believed her!

L8R

Why don't you guys just trim the hair down with an electric razor? I'd imagine that it would be much faster and achieve the same effect.

"Well if lance does it,my god i'm starting right now and go out and buy a trek bike,in fact i want to look like lance. Oh i dont have to, i can just go riding this weekend and see tons of them."

Well, Lance Armstrong is in the pro circuit and I just happened to be reading his book when he mentioned shaving. Ironically enough this thread was started at the same time. I quoted him because thats the reason why shaving your legs is important not just because he does it yaaaaaaa goober.

Why don't you guys just trim the hair down with an electric razor? I'd imagine that it would be much faster and achieve the same effect.

Ever hear of a woman that just trims her leg hair?

I hope I never do...

U might be suprised that a lot of women outside the usa dont shave,bummer.Mexican men wont let there wife's shave because they like them hairy,at least in mexico.They love to see the sweat dripping of those long arm pit hairs.

U might be suprised that a lot of women outside the usa dont shave,bummer.Mexican men wont let there wife's shave because they like them hairy,at least in mexico.They love to see the sweat dripping of those long arm pit hairs.

That response, although informative, was most definitely not needed.

P.S. Women shave in Australia. If they refuse, we ship them to the States ;)

That response, although informative, was most definitely not needed.

P.S. Women shave in Australia. If they refuse, we ship them to the States ;)
We dont need your hags but thanks anyway. :D

We dont need your hags but thanks anyway. :D

No problems, always trying to help. ;)

They love to see the sweat dripping of those long arm pit hairs.

Shokhead, you owe me lunch. I just lost mine.

Hey, have any of you shavers ever gone to jail? I am sure it would be REAL popular in there. :eek:

P.S. Women shave in Australia. If they refuse, we ship them to the States
The Free Trade Agreement between the US and AUS states that America will send all it's crap TV to Australia, in exchange for women who refuse to shave. This policy must be working, last night I sat through Nip/Tuck, good grief! :roflmao:

CHEERS.

Mark

The Free Trade Agreement between the US and AUS states that America will send all it's crap TV to Australia, in exchange for women who refuse to shave. This policy must be working, last night I sat through Nip/Tuck, good grief! :roflmao:

CHEERS.

Mark

Tell me about it...

What a big promotional bandwagon for cosmetic surgery. That make-over show then Nip/Tuck. I wonder how much the Cosmetic Surgeons Association of Australia tipped in for that combo to show in prime time??

There is nothing to watch when we get home from work on a Tuesday night for myself and the rest of the beautiful population! :D

Because it`s sexy

Why not shave your legs?

I can see shaving the legs and I know some that do it. That said, does the same apply for arms?

I can see shaving the legs and I know some that do it. That said, does the same apply for arms?

Hey FatBomber, I have the same question. Now, I do shave the legs for all the "right" reasons (massage, wounds, etc) and because shaved legs are, after all, an indication that you are Fabio and not Fred.

But, when I have crashed, it's the arms that have suffered the most abarasion. Yeah, the legs, too. And arm hair is finer and the arm muscles get far less work than the quads. But, still, hair is hair and when you crash, it is likely road rash will play a visit to your arms - esp if you have any speed on.

But NO, I won't shave my arms. . . Well, not until Lance and Tyler do. And maybe not even then.

But NO, I won't shave my arms. . . Well, not until Lance and Tyler do. And maybe not even then.
Those arms look kinda "hairless" to me. :D