Folding Bikes - Should Folding Bicyclists Shave Their Legs?

The Tour De France is almost upon us, and other fora have 'Should I shave my legs?' posts.

The advantages are said to be aerodynamic, or pretty, or a demonstration of alternate lifestyle preferences, or just make it easy to grab a massage. But one thing is certain, we riders of folding bicycles must never be left behind.

Votez!

Couldn't we make this conditional on gender?

I don't want to shave my legs, but I don't mind wearing a funny hat, if people feel I need to look sillier :)

When I grow up and get hairy legs, I will probably shave it 'cuz it's, like, totally cool to do.

I was hoping to lure 'Snooker Table Legs Mulleady ' to vote

girls dig it
its an euro thing ...

but some more reasons :

much cleaner feeling after every shower (with considerable less towel time)
less trouble applying sunscreen during the day
or Moskito-repellent at evening ....
You need a moist wipe only to clean the legs before to go to bed and get all that moskito crap back off

You need a mixed reply for couples (Yes & NO).

I don't, but the wife does (and not just because she bikes).

Shaved coffee-drinking cyclists are a sub-culture.

I belong to the un-repentedly hairy coffee-drinking sub-sub-culture.

much cleaner feeling after every shower (with considerable less towel time)
less trouble applying sunscreen during the day
or Moskito-repellent at evening ....
You need a moist wipe only to clean the legs before to go to bed and get all that moskito crap back off

Some of us don't need these things thanks to our thick burly coats.

I wonder are folding bicyclists hairier than diamond frame riders?

Bad enough having to shave my face. Thats dangerous enough without carving my legs up too.
Type of "chics" i know dont dig it.
Besides i like my coffee as jur said.

I certainly think that folding bicyclists are 'hairier' than the roadies. :-)

Shaving your legs offers no aerodynamic advantages. It's a myth.

Aside from aesthetics, it's only potentially helpful in case you get road rash (easier to clean up) and with post-race massage. However, it's now debatable whether post-race massage actually offers benefits, as it apparently reduces blood flow.

I did not realize that the bicyclists fold up. I thought it was just the bike. Sounds uncomfortable. But I guess shaving would make it easier.

I did not realize that the bicyclists fold up. I thought it was just the bike. Sounds uncomfortable. But I guess shaving would make it easier.
If i could fold up, i could jump in a suitcase and fly cheaper.:D

When I rode my MTB into a tree this afternoon, I folded up. I actually passed somebody this afternoon too, a posse of senior people, like myself, but they were trundling along on electric bikes, with a slightly younger chap up ahead, scouting for ne'er do wells. He was on a Raleigh Boardwalk, and it looked a fine scoot up close.

Naturally I overtook, imperiously, shaven legs a blur of motion.

I do not shave; I wax. This is so my legs look pretty as I pootle along on my brommie while wearing a skirt. :D

Dang. I forget to add a 'Do you wax?' option.

Shaved coffee-drinking cyclists are a sub-culture.

I belong to the un-repentedly hairy coffee-drinking sub-sub-culture.

I don't drink tea or coffee, but I do shave.

After years of racing and training, those bronzed Aussie pegs look awesome........

Truth is, the benefits shaving has are:
0% aerodynamics
5% wound cleaning
95% vanity..... but they do look AWESOME.

If i could fold up, i could jump in a suitcase and fly cheaper.:D
:lol:

I shave it off, because it's easier to get insect repellent or sun screen on that way.
that and I only use my folder for errands and commuting.


Otherwise I prefer to ride my CX or road bike.

Next question is......

How high up do you sha......... don't worry about it!!

one way to prevent sores is to remove hair from that area. What happens is the fabric from the clothing tugs on the hair when there's movement and causes the skin to be irritated.

that's why I really hated my ankle high boots, as they kept giving me sores at my ankles.

If i could fold up, i could jump in a suitcase and fly cheaper.:D

Which would leave a nice empty passenger seat for your bike to fly in? :p

I don't shave my face.... why would I shave my legs?

^^^^

Hair today, gone tomorrow.

You'll save nearly 0.05 grams per day. Over a lifetime that's a considerable weight saving. See the 'steel vs aluminium frame' thread

Hairy legged, coffee drinking, Twenty rider here... and even though it has drop bars and derailleur gears I have no burning desire to wear spandex or shave these gorgeous legs.

Hairy legged, coffee drinking, Twenty rider here... and even though it has drop bars and derailleur gears I have no burning desire to wear spandex or shave these gorgeous legs.

Does Bicycle Repairman shave his legs?

Does Bicycle Repairman shave his legs?


Does the Pope wear a funny hat?

A lot of coffee and hairy legs.

A fact:
Here, if a man shave his legs, he'll be sending a clear message to all. It would be something like "Stay away, women! I'm a member of the gay community!" It is just the way that people will interpret this around here, no matter gender or sexual orientation.

If that's your thing, that's ok, I guess.

A opinion:
Women shound't shave. They should wax.

Does the Pope wear a funny hat?

Yes, why yes.... he does.


A lot of coffee and hairy legs.

A fact:
Here, if a man shave his legs, he'll be sending a clear message to all. It would be something like "Stay away, women! I'm a member of the gay community!" It is just the way that people will interpret this around here, no matter gender or sexual orientation.

If that's your thing, that's ok, I guess.

A opinion:
Women shound't shave. They should wax.

There's are very strong cycling community here where I live, so guys that shave are NOT considered to be GAY ....I suppose its where you live?

I shave my bikes legs as it is unable to hold the razor.

it is interesting ..... 11 people have said that they always, sometimes, on sundays in Summer .... shave their legs .... versus 21 who dont.

Thats my friends is OVER 50 % !!!!

Thor

Sorry, Thor, but I see that as 11 that do, verses 22 that don't (total of 33 responders), or 33%. Hairy legs rule!

There's are very strong cycling community here where I live, so guys that shave are NOT considered to be GAY ....I suppose its where you live?

Yes, as I said, "it is just the way that people will interpret this around here". Straights and gays alike. Not every gay man would shave it, the ones that do this, would be considered "super queers".

But I am aware that it's a cultural factor. For example, speedos here are considerable a normal thing, in other countries, it is not.

Does Bicycle Repairman shave his legs?

No... but Bicycle Repairbabe waxes hers.

And seriously... it would mess with the look.

http://www.ravingbikefiend.com/bikepics/cygnetbw3.JPG

Sorry, Thor, but I see that as 11 that do, verses 22 that don't (total of 33 responders), or 33%. Hairy legs rule!

that would be 50 % or half of it ........
33 % would be 1/3rd or roughly 7 people ....


meanwhile we have one more hairy guy ....
-----------------

as for them speedos .... they would be almost viewed as gay ... around here ..... lol its funny how different things are viewed arouynd the world .... aint it...

Thor

Well, what if I shave just one leg?

I could have a leg in either camp,

Would I be accepted in the folder community?


Around here, speedos are called "Budgie smugglers"..... not sure why.

that would be 50 % or half of it ........
33 % would be 1/3rd or roughly 7 people ....

Thor

Hey Thor, I hope your math is better when you're doing Dahon invoices :eek: ... 11 do .. 22 don't.. that's 33 total people... 11/33=33% 22/33=66% ..:)

Hey Thor, I hope your math is better when you're doing Dahon invoices :eek: ... 11 do .. 22 don't.. that's 33 total people... 11/33=33% 22/33=66% ..:)

lol
took you guys a long time .... I was ready to be burned about this ......lets say 5 minutes later ...lol

OF COURSE its 33 % ..... and not 50 ,,,lol
dont believe them statistics ,,, even if somebody says with authority that it is this and that ...
:-)

sorry to poke fun at such an important thread ....lol

Thor

What surprises me is that the proponents of the various factions have not surreptitiously gone over to the other fora and solicited members to come vote here. Think what a bunch of rogue roadies could do to the poll numbers:eek:

The roadies despise we folder-tifosi, because we are better looking, have nicer legs and can stash twice as many bikes in the house before our loved ones evict us.

Remarkably, this week's 'Cycling Weekly, a UK roadie mag, features three pages on the whys and why nots of 'hair-o-dynamics' with awful pictures of hairy parts.

In a box-out employing two clichés and a pun, we learn that if you believe shaving makes you faster, then why not shave your arms and the back of your neck? But as far as aerodynamics goes, we are told that "you can get a bigger advantage by taping your ears back."

why not shave your arms and the back of your neck? But as far as aerodynamics goes, we are told that "you can get a bigger advantage by taping your ears back."

My Corgi agrees with this. See hair and ears in sig. photos

The roadies despise we folder-tifosi, because we are better looking, have nicer legs and can stash twice as many bikes in the house before our loved ones evict us.

I'm a roadie and I love you guys... maybe I just confused....No, wait....I didn't mean THAT!!

I mean I'm past the big ego ROADIE trip, in fact never been on it.
Folder-tifosi are my favourite kinda people, warm and cuddly and ever so friendly...... right Chucky?