To Shave or Not to Shave? For a Clyde...
 

Ok, this has been brewing in my mind for a few weeks, and has been further inspired by a thread on the 41: is it socially acceptable for a Clyde to sport barren legs? Do any of you do it? I know my wife would approve (she, ahem, approves of other shavings... ;) ), so is there any reason not to? Will I be the laughing stock of cycledom? Lol!

Let's hear it, fella's.

Don't think you'd be the laughing stock of cycledom. I shave, never had anyone comment negatively. There is one primary reason to shave and the first time you fall off your bike you'll find out. ;) Other minor benefits are that it's easier to put on sun screen and the wife likes it. It might make you a fraction of a mph faster too. No big deal, if you are asking, just do it...or don't. :)

Regarding the falling over bit:

http://i10.photobucket.com/albums/a1...ps167b25a5.jpg

been there... Truth is, I'd like to see some of the definition/progress in my legs too.

How'd it feel scrubbing that little boo boo out? Or ripping off the tape/bandages (and all the hair that came with it)? :) :) That's a weird place to get some road rash, how'd you do that?

shaving for faster healing IF a crash occurs. Even worse if the cut is deep enough for a urgent care visit (aka stitches) and they have the scrub the flesh harder then you would at home.

Saying that, use womens razors, the are designed for the job, if you got some hairy legs like the pic above use some beard clippers to cut most of it off then razor as a 2nd step, it will save you ALLOT of time.

No one cares. Do what you want as long as it doesn't endanger anyone else :)

I do. Get comments all the time about the size of my legs. Used to teach in middle school. Kids thought I did steroids to get legs like these. Gotten to the point where I can't imagine NOT shaving. Started shaving in 1991. Stopped riding in 1997, stopped shaving. Took up riding in 2006 again. Saw a leg hair poking out through my knee warmers. Ewww... freaked me out. Shaved as soon as I got home. :D
http://bikeforums.net/attachment.php...hmentid=351225

LOL, was out this morning in 23* weather and the hair on my legs coming through my tights a was freezing at the tips, I looked like a yeti!

Embarassingly, trying to unclip at a light (new KEO's...)... :)

LOL!! Think I'm gonna try it...

Thanks JSig. Yup, those are my hairy hams.

Doesn't hurt to try it, it will grow back in a month or so to where u have to shave it again or leave it long for the socal winter

Gotta disagree on that one Jeff. I once saw an endcap display of Bic single blade razors. There were packs of "mens" in a blue bag molded in yellow and white plastic, and "womens" in a pink bag molded in pink plasitc. They were identical other than the color and packaging, but the womens were twice the price.

Also, I think that whole multi blade thing is a marketing gimmick. I only use the single blade ones. They actually work better. Talking about my face here. I don't do the legs.

Actually people do care, but my attitude is "why should they"? Do what you want and don't waste time and energy giving a dam about what others think. The only reason I don't shave legs is lazyness. I don't even shave my face everyday.

Having had the road rash, I couldn't see any problem with the hair being there, either, the hair wasn't the problem at all.
The main reason I can tell that cyclists shave their legs is fashion and if you're a large cyclists, you don't fit the cycling fashion image anyway, so it's kind of a moot point.

Honestly I'm spoiled by what my wife uses and buys, http://www.schick.com/us/intuition.shtml think I've only knicked myself once w/ these suckers.

If I were to start, where would I stop?.................

Winter coming - I need the fur.

TMI.

Who cares what's socially acceptable? In the words of Humpty Hump and Digital Underground, "Do whatcha like."

When I got tossed by the truck last June the nurse at the hospital said I did myself a HUGE favor by having shaved.

All the way up ... you don't want the "Hairy Boxer Shorts" look.

to the question ... I shave in season. And by that I mean outdoor riding season. I get furry over the winter.

+1 on the first pass with a beard trimmer advice. Knock that stuff back before you pick up a razor.

I tried shaving this year and it was ok, I just didn't like how long it took so I let it grow back.

Even if I stopped riding I'd keep shaving...I just find it way more comfortable, and my hairy legs do not look good in shorts. As far as cycling goes, my main reasons to shave are:

-hair poking through your bike shorts is not appealing

-leg grippers work way better

-easier to apply sunblock (or embrocation, if that's your thing)

-bugs don't get caught in my leg hair

-easier to bandage if I get road rash

-my leg hair doesn't mat under my tights

Don't have very hairy legs to begin with, and have had people comment on it. I do not shave them, and doubt I ever would.

I cut my hair every 3 or so years (last hair cut was 7 months ago... gets cut when I'm ready and have plenty to lop off for locks-of-love)... last time I shaved my face was at that point... I think that puts me having shaved my face twice not even twice in the last year... I'm not going to shave my legs... then again I'm not super hairy in the first place (unlike my brother and father in law that looks like they are wearing sweaters they are so hairy)

Sorry about that ;) but yes, that's how I'm leaning--less self-conscious and a little more confidence. Thx!

+1.

Also, IMO, a set of hairy legs sticking out from a sleek pair of cycling shorts looks silly. I often kid a very hairy friend of mine that he looks like he's wearing tights when he's wearing shorts.

Even when I spent nearly 4 months on the road touring I kept shaving.

To me, shaving reflects commitment to the sport.

HD

So, you're suggesting I go Full Kojak? 'Cause I don't see any obvious demarcation lines unless I use some funky taper or something:-)

Yup. I think that's the idea. And I like the comment above above it depicting a "full commitment." Not that you're not committed if you don't, but if you do, it can only mean one thing: you're a serious bike nut. Guilty as charged! ;) lol!!

Personally I go to where the upper thigh meets the crotchal area (TMI perhaps but whatever). ;)

The preference of my significant other determines the extent beyond that :D

I can't imagine Mrs. Fred endorsing this plan. Imagine the ongoing maintenance costs: time, money, public reaction.