Shaving: Why?
11-20-08 | 05:31 PM
#1
Thread Starter
You gonna eat that?
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 14,917
Likes: 543
From: Fort Worth, Texas Church of Hopeful Uncertainty
Bikes: 1966 Raleigh DL-1 Tourist, 1973 Schwinn Varsity, 1983 Raleigh Marathon, 1994 Nishiki Sport XRS
Shaving: Why?
I don't get it.
I've been away from cycling for a couple decades, and never cycled competitively, so I just don't know why a guy would shave his legs for cycling. Is there a definite aerodynamic advantage? As an engineer I would think that any advantage would be very slight and only make a difference at the very highest levels.
So.... edumacate me.
I've been away from cycling for a couple decades, and never cycled competitively, so I just don't know why a guy would shave his legs for cycling. Is there a definite aerodynamic advantage? As an engineer I would think that any advantage would be very slight and only make a difference at the very highest levels.
So.... edumacate me.
__________________
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi 
"However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
I stop for people / whose right of way I honor / but not for no one.
Originally Posted by bragi "However, it's never a good idea to overgeneralize."
11-20-08 | 05:33 PM
#2
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 14
From: La La Land (We love it!)
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
Oh lord, this has been covered so many times.
Not to be snippy, but please do a search!
Too late, here it goes again!!!!!
Not to be snippy, but please do a search!
Too late, here it goes again!!!!!
__________________
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
11-20-08 | 05:35 PM
#4
CPM M4
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 4,930
Likes: 0
From: The West Side (Of Rochester, NY).
Bikes: Light.
I don't get it.
I've been away from cycling for a couple decades, and never cycled competitively, so I just don't know why a guy would shave his legs for cycling. Is there a definite aerodynamic advantage? As an engineer I would think that any advantage would be very slight and only make a difference at the very highest levels.
So.... edumacate me.
I've been away from cycling for a couple decades, and never cycled competitively, so I just don't know why a guy would shave his legs for cycling. Is there a definite aerodynamic advantage? As an engineer I would think that any advantage would be very slight and only make a difference at the very highest levels.
So.... edumacate me.
__________________
Ten tenths.
Ten tenths.
11-20-08 | 05:38 PM
#6
Because Brandy likes it.
11-20-08 | 05:44 PM
#9
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 14
From: La La Land (We love it!)
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
11-20-08 | 05:46 PM
#11
Banned.
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
11-20-08 | 05:51 PM
#12
Pretend Racer
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 1,281
Likes: 0
From: Northern Neck
11-20-08 | 05:57 PM
#14
i think it's because they (the shavers) fall a lot - so it makes dealing with road rash easier. at least that's what i've gathered here on BF..
interestingly, skateboarders - who fall way more than cyclists - don't shave their legs.
me? i don't even shave my face, much less my legs.
interestingly, skateboarders - who fall way more than cyclists - don't shave their legs.
me? i don't even shave my face, much less my legs.
11-20-08 | 05:59 PM
#16
Cat 3 Meter - Don't Care
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,893
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
I plan on racing next season but I started shaving this summer. Part of it was because I know sooner or later I'm going to fall, I ride in groups a lot, and ride on some reasonably treacherous roads. I'm not going to lie though, I think it looks better when you're wearing a kit plus I wear jeans off the bike 98.9% of the time, that was another factor.
Anyone who does it to reduce drag is a effing moron.
Anyone who does it to reduce drag is a effing moron.
11-20-08 | 06:01 PM
#17
Cat 3 Meter - Don't Care
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,893
Likes: 1
From: Los Angeles
i think it's because they (the shavers) fall a lot - so it makes dealing with road rash easier. at least that's what i've gathered here on BF..
interestingly, skateboarders - who fall way more than cyclists - don't shave their legs.
me? i don't even shave my face, much less my legs.
interestingly, skateboarders - who fall way more than cyclists - don't shave their legs.
me? i don't even shave my face, much less my legs.
Lately I haven't been shaving my legs because I've been wearing bib tights and leg warmers so it won't really matter if I fall but as soon as I'm wearing shorts I shave.
11-20-08 | 06:05 PM
#18
Senior Member
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 6,301
Likes: 14
From: La La Land (We love it!)
Bikes: Gilmour road, Curtlo road; both steel (of course)
Skateboarders also almost always wear pants and good ones KNOW how to fall. My last roomate was a very serious skate boarder, I watched him fall off a 10 stair hand rail go rolling get up without a scratch on him. We slowed down video of him and his friends the good ones all knew how to roll when they fell so there were know injuries.
Lately I haven't been shaving my legs because I've been wearing bib tights and leg warmers so it won't really matter if I fall but as soon as I'm wearing shorts I shave.
Lately I haven't been shaving my legs because I've been wearing bib tights and leg warmers so it won't really matter if I fall but as soon as I'm wearing shorts I shave.
Two martial arts lessons can save your ***** since that is the first thing they teach you.
__________________
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
Today, I believe my jurisdiction ends here...
11-20-08 | 06:06 PM
#20
Batüwü Creakcreak
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 20,802
Likes: 294
From: The illadelph
i think it's because they (the shavers) fall a lot - so it makes dealing with road rash easier. at least that's what i've gathered here on BF..
interestingly, skateboarders - who fall way more than cyclists - don't shave their legs.
me? i don't even shave my face, much less my legs.
interestingly, skateboarders - who fall way more than cyclists - don't shave their legs.
me? i don't even shave my face, much less my legs.
2) Skateboards don't typically fall on rough road going 30+mph...
11-20-08 | 06:10 PM
#22
Senior Member
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 220
Likes: 0
From: Rohnert Park, CA
Bikes: 2009 PedalForce RS2 w/ 09 Rival and Fulcrum 5's
Others shaved before/not because of cycling, but rather they/their spouse prefers it.
Plus think of most the guys in the mags that women find hot. They usually have little to no hair with their perfect tans and muscle filled bodies. Granted ideally you have a muscular body to pull it off the best, or at least well toned (no pillsbury dough boys please!)
Plus think of most the guys in the mags that women find hot. They usually have little to no hair with their perfect tans and muscle filled bodies. Granted ideally you have a muscular body to pull it off the best, or at least well toned (no pillsbury dough boys please!)
11-20-08 | 06:11 PM
#23
Banned
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 28,387
Likes: 3
From: Santa Barbara, CA
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac SL2, Specialized Tarmac SL, Giant TCR Composite, Specialized StumpJumper Expert HT
And you never will...
It is not about aerodynamics
No
I've been away from cycling for a couple decades, and never cycled competitively, so I just don't know why a guy would shave his legs for cycling. Is there a definite aerodynamic advantage? As an engineer I would think that any advantage would be very slight and only make a difference at the very highest levels.
No
11-20-08 | 06:19 PM
#25
Out of Commission
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,272
Likes: 0
From: SoCal
Bikes: Felt FC, S-Works Roubaix, Epic Comp, Cyfac Proxidium
It must be winter in other parts of the country 
__________________
If you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, then come sit next to me.
If you don't have anything nice to say about anybody, then come sit next to me.