Let’s Talk Shaved Legs

29
Jun
2011
By

Back in April we did a post called “Let’s Talk Cycling Laundry” and it generated a nice conversation of comments, suggestions, and tips for all of us to enjoy. We’re at it again, and this time we’re talking shaved legs.

Once again, this post is all about you and we want you to give us all you can on the subject.  Have a look at the video below and then leave your comments, ideas, and basically anything you’d like us to know about your thoughts on shaved legs.

Enjoy Your Ride

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  • http://www.cycling-secrets.com/ Cycling training

    I really don’t see anything significant with shaving  legs. But if there would be proven benefits then I am very much willing to try.

  • http://pulse.yahoo.com/_D2ANUNNXVCYBGTCO2IRA6ZAXWA Pro Cyclist

    I don’t do leg shaving, I don’t see any logic by doings  so. But people has different perception to things so we must respect it. During cycling training, I really don’t see if there is some need for leg shaving.

  • http://twitter.com/djcyberlegend Larry Hall

    Being a recreational cyclist, I do not shave my legs.  I see no need for it.

  • The Sufferfest

    A photo of me without shaved legs appeared online. I was shamed by fellow Sufferlandrians. I shave now. I feel better.

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      Nice one, dude…..I’ll see what I can do about getting those photos removed from the internet.

  • http://www.reasons2ride.com/ Joel Phillips

    I am not sure about shaving the legs thing.  I do know that it’s strangely sensual to wear cycling shorts under a summer weight wool blend suit, maybe the shaved legs would give me that silky smooth feeling all the time.

    Great forum topic, great comments.

    May you all have a silky smooth day.

    Happy Riding

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      Hi Joel,

      It’s an interesting topic and it’s also interesting to see who shaves and who doesn’t.  It’s another one of those personal choice things, but fun to talk about.

  • http://www.twitter.com/chmpgnepolitics Kelly

    I shave my legs.

  • http://www.CyclingForBeginners.com Cycling For Beginners

    I don’t shave my legs.  I’m far from a pro cyclist, don’t get intense leg massages, and so far (knock on wood) have not really had any road rash issues (I’m sure I will at some point).  I do kind of think the “peer pressure” aspect of it is kind of funny.  Sure, you’re wearing skin-tight spandex already, what could make you look more manly than shaved legs!  Whatever makes you happy riding, I guess.

    Best,
    Rob

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      You hit it right, man…..whatever makes you happy.

  • http://profiles.google.com/velofreak89 Kendall Hill

    I shave. Why? Mostly because it is like the “secret handshake”, it signifies (to me, at least) that I am a cyclist. A rite of passage. At first the wife hated it, but she’s warmed up to it. She’s used to me having smoother legs than her ;-)

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      Thanks Kendall……good input, my man.  I guess it is sort of like a secret handshake……I’ll have to start paying attention more to whether someone is shaved or not.

  • http://www.facebook.com/noteon Keith Snyder

    If you’re not getting regular massages and road rash, the only reason I know for a man to shave his legs is vanity.

    Just own it, guys. Nobody’s fooled.

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      Good reply….thanks for jumping into the conversation.

  • Anonymous

    I have been shaving mine for a few years and Mrs. Rob hates it. Love teasing her about it every chance I get it. I do believe there are advantages but was once told by a coach that if you are serious about racing you will shave! I have teammates that race at higher levels than I do who do not shave and one just wrecked and I know what he is in store for. When hair get’s ripped out and then grows back in road rash it really hurts!

    The usual argument I hear for shaving legs are:
    Your more aero – False
    It makes it easier to massage the legs – True
    It makes it easier to clean up road rash – True
    Helps to keep you cooler – Maybe
    Makes you look intimidating – If you have muscles to prove it

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      This is some great feedback, Rob.  I appreciate you adding to the conversations with all of this.

    • http://twitter.com/shitcyclistsays Heather Nielson

      Yea i second all that – it’s more about the massage and road rash issue.  same for women but we have less/less thick hair than men. but yea, when you have muslce, there ain’t nothin’ sexier to me #justsayin

  • http://twitter.com/mrbass68 Pedro Verdugo

    I’m a shaver and for these 2 reasons in order:
    1) much easier to clean up road rash
    2) it immediately tells other riders that you “belong”  –mind you I normally ride alone during the week and on weekends I usually hit my local bike shop’s group ride, but as a gigging musician I’m often on the road and I look for a group rides–on these rides having shaved legs identifies you as someone that can be trusted in a paceline, that can be trusted to take a turn pulling up front, that can be trusted to point out hazards, etc

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      You’ve brought up a couple great points.  Thanks for including your comments on this one.

      • http://twitter.com/shitcyclistsays Heather Nielson

        This is the first person to comment on the real reason why male bike racers shave.  Yes I said it was sexy, but that was sort of a tongue-in-cheek comment.  Talk to any guy who has crashed once and tried to clean up the road rash afterwards and they never quit shaving as long as they ride a bike. 

  • RaceG

    For the record my hubby shaves everything thanks god and help him do it ;-) Not a fan of hair. Ugh!! 

  • RaceG

    Well I’m a women & like you said I’ll shave anyways hehe but I do think men shoould shave as well if they are going for lycra shorts. It looks sexy and cleaner. A few saturdays ago I was in a group ride and at some point I was behing this guy with a hairy butt wearing a light colored bibshorts and it was just disgusting to see his hairy butt LOL I quickly searched for another more pleasent to look ‘wheel’. Im just saying. ;-)  

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      That is so funny.  I hadn’t thought of that before, and thankfully I’ve never come across a rider with light shorts and a hairy butt.

    • Anonymous

      There are both amazing and scary Lycra views!

  • Rustypants

    I don’t have an opinion either way, but a friend of mine brought this up back in December – his conclusions:
    http://joetoprocycling.com/to-shave-or-not-to-shave-your-legs-in-cycling/

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      Thanks for sharing the link.  It is a strange, but a topic that is interesting to discuss.  I’m looking forward to all the comments.

  • http://about.me/Aaronthestrong Aaronthestrong
    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      I had a teacher in high school with this.  I assume you’re bringing it up because you have it?  Definitely makes having smooth legs a whole lot easier.

  • Jessy diamond

    I’m still what I consider a beginner cyclist and I don’t shave my legs. I’m a somewhat hairy guy, specially in the lower back area, so it would be really weird to have my legs shaven, but having hair everywhere else. 

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      I’m sure it would take some getting used to.  Let us know if you ever decide to take the plunge and shave them.

      • Jessy Diamond

        I wouldn’t mind shaving them, I just don’t know how to make it look “natural”. I’m not sure I want to shave my entire body. Any tips or advice ?

  • http://twitter.com/igglepiggle2 julie fraser

    My husband is quite a hairy chap and always threatens to shave his legs, I’m not so keen as I think he’d look a tad daft with shaven legs and hairy everywhere else. I also think he’d be more ‘aero’ if he lost some of his belly ;) we had discussed whether he’d shave up to knees or to include thighs but we didn’t have a conclusion.
    Will be interesting to hear from others!

    • http://lovingthebike.com Darryl is Loving the Bike

      Thanks Julie….yeah, the narrower waist will definitely help more than the shaved legs.  Let us know if you ever decide to give him a shave.

      • http://twitter.com/mrbass68 Pedro Verdugo

        IMHO shaving legs does nothing for a cyclist’s aerodynamics (nor runners for that matter)–however swimmers do see a benefit. For performance concerns weight management is critical. For the reason I noted I do shave, and I forgot to mention that I do also include my thighs–just kind of finishes things off I suppose ;-)

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