Why do you hardcore cyclists shave your legs? To be more aero-dynamic? So you don't get dirt/grime on your leg hair? To look sexy for the ladies? Why?

And if I were to shave my legs, would I be giving up part of my man hood?

I was wondering which thread is the most repeated on Bikeforums? Shaving legs may be a front runner. Joe?

"Shaved Legs" and the other thread... "Help!" tie for #1, "What ike to buy" comes in a close 2nd

RoAdRaGeR, You may want to search the forums for more info on why we shave... You may want to stop shaving a few inches above your short line if your worried about loosing part of your manhood!

Very funny

riders shave their legs as motivation. if your legs are shaved, and the sole reason is to show off your definition.....then you'd better have definition.

I admit it, I don't shave...call me a Squirrel!!

I think im going to go ahead for the full body shave. If you shave your legs, then you should shave the rest of your body too!

Shave everything? Yeah, then you can be REALLY gay. Actually, bikers shave their legs and arms so that if and when they crash, wounds can be wrapped up with tape with no worries about taking the tape off later with a bunch of hair.

yowza

Mike is correct. They shave so when they crash its
1. easier to fix it up
2. easier to take it off.

Hairlessness also helps on the massage table too. Bicycling magazine says we shave jsut to be cool. But Bicycling is a magazine for fat cats who buy pro racing gear and can't ride a century. By reading in the fat cat cyclists' bible that shaving is only for being cool, the fat cat then feels better about NOT shaving(he doesn't want to appear ****!!! No way!!!) , OR goes and shaves so he can be a hardcore poser.
Don't shave to look like a cyclist, shave because you want to and because you ARE a cyclist.

No you will only lose very little hair which you really don't need, as as for shaving legs, also don't know why I shave my legs

A bit of hirstute trivia...

The main reason why there are regu;ations against long hair and facial hair in the military is because, back in the days of black powder and muzzle-loading muskets, a facial or head would that got hair into it was a thousand times worse than one that did not get hair into it. 19th century infantrymen always shaved before going into battle. The exception, of course, were the pioneers or engineers, who were rarely under direct fire, anyway.

Cyclists shave for uch the same reason. Hair can trap all sorts of nasties in a superficial road rash and turn it into an infection, and hair can made a road rash worse by pulling on the skin in a crash, and hair is a pain when you tape yourself up.

The other part os it is that it is a tradition, and cycling is a sport that is imbued with tradit6ions.

Yeah, shaving simply is a thing to do when you have been serious about riding for a long time.

I was harsh against not too long ago, now I'm thinking of doing it soon. When you got calves like this, it's a crime not to share them with the world

So you shave for the simple fact to make bandaging and removal of bandages easier? You guys are wimps! Theres nothing like some good hair pulling PAIN!!!

One other reason,
When I joined the racing team (I guess it was part of initiation), they said if I didn't shave my legs, they would kick my ass.

Well knifun, I would have shaved my legs, then thrown the leg hair at the racing team riders who said they would kick your ass.

ON the subject of Shaving, I might as well as you guys for advice.
I've been shaved for about a week an a half now, and I've got a red rash type of thing going on the inside of my legs. Will this stuff go away? It doesn't look like razor burn or ingrown hairs.
My buddy says that using shaving cream and razors with a lube strip will make it worse, is this so? He also said that I should shave with hot water and then rinse with cold to close my pores, is this right?

fubar5, I wouldn't even bother shaving your legs. I think it's a waste of time. Oh, yes, your pores are always closed. I guess there is a big myth that your pores open when you put hot water on them. Not True. If your pores could open, then your body would be very exposed to diseases, etc.

You're just new to it. It's a common mistake when you start -- for he first time or for the first time in a season -- but you don't have to go as hard as on your face. Just shave it lightly, with one stroke, and that'll take care of it. What you have is a slight irritation from scraping the skin.

Use a new razor [the cheap Bics are fine for this], and don't do it too often. Once a week to start, at the most. You might also want to put some moisturizing skin cream on after shaving and after every shower.

Thanks Velocipedio!!!!

Soak before you shave. Sit in the tub for 30 min, in warm water. Then shave in the tub, if you get out, you will get chicken skin, and cut your legs. I use my standard razor (Mach 3) with my standard shaving gel... no problems yet...

Matt, I get the same red rash about once every 6-8 weeks. I simply use a little of my wife's Curell (sp??) lotion on the rash and it's gone the next day. Get some from your Mom when she's not looking.

My razor has the blue strip (Mach3) and it doesn't cause the rash nor does it make the rash worse.


Just curious - How did you talk your Mom into letting you shave?

Hey, as long as that **** isnt on your balls, i'd be happy. :thumbup:

As a woman who has shaved for years, some advice. For one thing, keep in mind that men have coarser leg hair and shaving it for the first time isn't easy! I would suggest using a ladies shaving cream for legs you can get them in the drugstore. They lubricate the skin and make it easier, and don't have heavy perfumy smells if that worries you. Some come in unscented. They have oils that make it easier to shave. Also, use one of those lady bic razors- they are better for legs. And put moisturizing lotion on your legs after shaving- like Curel (I use that too). It also has no scent and won't make you smell like a girl. The more you moisturize the easier it will be to shave next time. I'm lucky because even for a girl I don't have hairy legs- some women I know have legs as hairy as guys and torture themselves with WAX. Ewww.

I just kept pestering her. Plus I'd shave every once in awhile just to see where I stood as far as her reactions. Then for my graduation party I invited over all my cycling friends for a ride before all the other guests arrived. That way my mom got to see a bunch of guys with shaved legs. After that it was pretty easy, I just shaved. She didn't notice for a few days, and then she just said, "oh well". My dad hasn't embraced the idea as well, but he's coming through.


Wabbbit

I've thought about using ladies shaving cream. I'll have to hide it or something though. I can just imagine one of my fam members finding ladies shaving stuff in my bathroom....ha ha!!!