leob1

Who here shaves the gams?
I have never felt the need to do so, and never really understood why it's done by non-racer types.
So do you shave?
Year round, or just the warmer months?
Why?

CraigB

Since I stopped racing in my late 20s I haven't felt the need. Plus, my legs aren't all that hairy to begin with. I've seen some guys so hirsute they look like they're on sheep legs. That's not me.

Brew1

Mine are pretty hairy so I use and electric clipper on them with a #1 guard. It keeps the bugs from catching in them and the grippers on the shorts don't pull either.

mprelaw

Same here. I don't race, and I don't have enough hair on mine to waste time doing it. It's more of a racing culture thing, and a racing culture wanna be thing. As far as road rash healing faster, again, I don't have enough hair on them to worry about that.

Gonzo Bob

I usually shave when I start adding speedwork and hill repeats because I usually start self-massage at that time and it seems more effective and the legs clean up better from the oil if they are shaved.

stapfam

"Apparantly"- The reason for the pros shaving is that WHEN they get road rash-It is easier to clean up the wound. As a Mountain biker-I can tell you that trying to clean up cuts on hairy arms and legs can be difficult--And when the elastoplast does come off--*&$9£&

david58

Hairy legs. Part of bein' a man. Hair gettin' pulled out with the bandage, just to remind you that you are alive. No shaving here.

Plus, my legs are so skinny that without the hair they'd disappear.

ericm979

I race, and shave year around. I think the pros do it for massages. Amateurs do it so our legs will look more forbidding, or at least less flabby, on the start line. It does make road rash easier to clean up but if you're crashing often enough for that to be important, there's something wrong. It makes women want to fondle your legs. It's cooler in the summer. It looks better in pictures.

Mobile 155

Having worn levis and slacks for most of my working life I didn't have much hair when I started riding this time. Decided to get a Tattoo on my leg and the guy asked if I minded that he would have to shave the area. Why I asked? Hair can cause infection he tells me. I asked one of the Paramedics and two nurses that ride with us and they both said, "hair can cause infection". Thinking about getting another Tat so I might as well. besides I am clumsey and might fall get road rash,"and get an infection"

AzTallRider

+1

All year for me. Don't trust hairly legs in a peloton!

jdon

Some cyclists shave their legs, some don't. What is the point in determining who does or doesn't? I know great cyclists who do and great cyclists who don't, bad who do and bad who don't so I tend not to judge that book in the parking lot. Give me 10 minutes on the road to determine whether or not they can ride.

old&slow

Thought of shaving my toes when wearing cycling sandals...

trackhub

Ladies like it. A lot. Can't think of a better reason.

Phil85207

If you have ever seen a bad road rash on a hairy guys legs... It started me shaving years ago and for a massage it's great to not have all that hair pulling. I've gotten used to it and don't think about it anymore. Try it, you may like it, then again maybe not. What ever floats you boat, that my motto.

icyclist 

I don't race (I did a few times, long ago). I do shave, on rare occasions, when I know everyone else I'm going to ride with will show up with shorn legs.

I don't think it has anything to do with racing. Shaving your legs shows a commitment to cycling, just like buying an expensive road bike or mountain bike does, like buying cycling-specific clothing, etc. When I'm fully committed to cycling, or to a big ride, I shave my legs.

Dudelsack 

Well eewww.

B. Carfree

I don't shave mine for two reasons:
1.) It's too cold here to go without wool, even in our so-called summer. (Note: I'm much happier at 110F than 70F). I do love our weather for cycling, but I would be wearing tights year-round if I shaved. As it is I wear knickers ten months of the year and grow a winter beard.
2.) It always annoys people when a big, hairy bear blows past them, especially on an old steel bike. I like being mildly annoying.

bkaapcke

OCD for sure. bk

Bronze Potato

So shavererers, where do you stop?

I stop below my waist but above my legs. Never an ingrown hair or saddle sore after countless training miles over many years.

Not real hairy to begin with tho.

lhbernhardt

I always find it amusing that cyclists are often scorned for shaving their legs by "normal people."

But "normal people" say absolutely nothing about body builders who shave their entire bodies, and don't need to worry about road rash or massage...

L.

Wogster

Nope, never have, don't plan on starting. If the beard didn't come in white, I wouldn't shave that either.... Besides around here in the winter time, you need whatever insulation you can get...

Bronze Potato

What's the R-value of leg hair anyway?

david58

My Lady would consider it strange. Can't think of a better reason not to.

doctor j

I don't even shave the entirety of my face. Why would I want to shave anything or anywhere else?

teachme

Shaved legs cleanup easier in case of road rash.