OK, men supposedly shave for any or all of the following reasons:
1. Road rash and the healing of it. Think of how often pros crash (particularly Tyler!)-that's a lot of bandage removal!
2. Aerodynamics, which is most likely bogus, as stated above.
3. It's a cultural thing.

I think #3 is the main thing. Pros do it, and the rest do to imitate the pros. Guys I know do it because it makes them feel more hard core. The rest of the reasons are just rationalizing, I think. Must admit, I ride mostly with "shavers," and now hairy man-legs in lycra look kinda weird to me. Just one girl's opinion (or two, if you count Phiber's girl).

Re. razor burn, don't use soap (until your legs are used to the abuse), use shaving cream or gel. Only use sharp razors (beware of really cheap disposables, or dull blades). Shaving against the grain is ok once your legs are used to sharp objects periodically scraping them. Basically it's like your face, I suspect!

Did you use an electric first to thin it out, or did you go straight to a razor? Cause that could be the problem too.

Used Quatro blades. Expensive monsters. :(

I just have big pores.

most guys shave because it makes cleaning road rash easier. and if they get massages it is more comfortable and eaiser for the massuse

I think the road rash reason, although valid, is not the main reason why. I think it is to show off those GUNS you've worked so hard to tone ! :)

Haha, guns. I've got slingshots.

Unless you are specifically referring to riblets (which you certainly aren't going to be attaching to your legs) then a perfectly smooth surface produces the minimum drag for both laminar and turbulent flow.

This is really funny guys, and I’m guessing those that know are just letting it drag out and laughing at all the posts about aerodynamics and golf balls and such.


Before I tell you why some of us shave our legs let me ask you this …. You are willing to follow the pack without knowing why? And you are crying about the result of something that western women do every other day or so? It sounds like cycling is just too tough a sport for you. Bunkie….. Ha Ha Just kidding.

Always use a new razor to shave your legs, wipe them down with peroxide before and after and use Cetophil as a lube if you like.

We shave because scabs that form around hair don’t heal as fast hurt more and get infected easier. So when you shave what you are really doing is prepping your legs for the possibility of a trauma.




sorry for the redundent info I haddent read past page one when I posted.

Which part of my claim about being able to stay "airborne longer" on the bike don't you people understand? :p

Don't shave against the grain on your legs or face. OK maybe you'll get used to it, I learned to shave against the grain, then I learned better. I actually got this tip from Howard Stern's radio show and also saw queer eyes for straight guys tell this. On your face, you can go over the same spot a few times and get the same close shave without the irritation. On the legs maybe you don't need it silky smooth, so you might not need to go over any spots more than once, at least after the first time.

Prepping for the possibility of trauma, huh? If the possibility is looming that large for you, one of those three-wheelers with the big basket in back might be the more comprehensive answer.

It's an imitative affectation.

I think lots of guys like to pretend that riding a bicycle is something dangerous and daring.

my motto is be prepared...........
I use my seat belt when I drive my car..........

I have been hit by a car on my road bike..........
I have gone down on cobbles twice during races.....
I have crashed on my Mtn bike maybe.. uh... say thirty times...
I have given and received stitches in the field....
I have received replacement Gyro helmets twice.....

Life is only dangerous when you don’t have the training to handle a situation you find yourself in.

It's also measurably true that a dirty car will give worse mpg figures than a nice clean one...:).

So that is why my car gets horible gas milage... or maybe it is the bikes on top...

Many of the people in the club I am a part of shave, and many do not. I have not brought myself to doing it though...

I guess ti is like the first time wearing bike apperal, once I did it once I do not care about it anymore and just do it. I guess shaving could be the same way.

BTW I also fall sometimes and I have always wondered if shaving would be beneficial, expecially after getting road rash twice... of course I do not have alot of hair on my legs in the first place... oh well.

Damn, me too!! I guess I'll shave my legs when I grow some breasts... just like "Tons of Fun Edmunton" in 8th grade Algebra class.

The following link gives you tips in shaving sensitive areas. :)

http://www.menessentials.com/tips/shaving_privates.html