A guy friend said he shaved his legs because he was a very serious bike rider. He said a lot of guys do it. He looks great with smooth legs, but is that true? Is this a common thing now?
2006-09-08 08:12:53 · 12 answers · asked by Isis 7 in Sports ➔ Cycling
Yes. Almost all the competitive (as in for money) riders shave their legs. It presumably can cut down on your wind drag and add critical seconds to your time in a race.
However a ton of bike racer wanna-bes shave their legs just to look cool and gain admission into the competitive rider wanna-be club.
2006-09-08 08:14:47 · answer #1 · answered by perfecttiming1 4 · 1⤊ 3⤋
The last three post have it about right, it actually is supposed to prevent road rash and give a rider better aerodynamics. There's nothing mental about it .
Got a sheet of real coarse sand paper handy - run it across the hair on your arm and see how it grabs and then try the under side of your arm where there's no hair and see the difference then imagine doing it at 40 mph and you'll know why the pros shave there legs.
2006-09-08 10:56:05 · answer #2 · answered by Ric 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
I have shaved my legs during the racing season for about 12 years. I even got teased in high school.
I have heard the aerodynamics reason for years, and while this might make some difference, I don't think it makes much of one. I think the real reason amateurs do it is that the Pros do it. Like Tiger's red shirts on Sunday or Jordan wearing a sweatband on his forearm we emulate our heroes.
I think the reason the Pros do it has less to do with aerodynamics than it does daily massages and constant abrasions. The massages are much nicer and more effective on smooth legs and bandages stick better to smooth legs.
After all they don't shave their arms.
Maybe it's the years of cycling, but is looks funny to see someone with a skin tight suit, a tear drop shaped helmet and bushy legs - or as some old school cyclists call it "Freddy legs".
2006-09-08 08:58:46 · answer #3 · answered by Jeff 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
In cycling, most road riders refer to themselves as cyclists, while off road riders often refer to themselves as mountain bikers. But there is overlap, and of course guys who ride motorcycles also refer to themselves as bikers. To me, calling a motorcycle a "bike" is inaccurate and one of the reasons we see so many questions about motorized cycles in this section. Motorbike is a far better term, and often used outside the United States
2016-03-27 03:07:51 · answer #4 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Lots of riders also shave them in case of a crash - it makes it easier to clean/keep the wound clean.
2006-09-08 09:10:13 · answer #5 · answered by kalaka 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
It's not aerodynamics. It's mostly for cleaning either road rash(for roadies) or cleaning off the mud (for mtn bikers). Oh yeah, and it makes the massages a bit better too.
2006-09-08 09:39:22 · answer #6 · answered by John M 1 · 3⤊ 0⤋
This is especially true for everyone in the sport market especially when it comes to speed and better performance. From swimmers to bicycle racing. this prevents a drag on their legs with the velocity of wind.
2006-09-08 08:17:43 · answer #7 · answered by Angus. 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
Yes. Loads of 'serious' cyclist shave their legs to improve aerodynamic efficiency. As far as I am aware, it doesn't work - I just think some guys like having silky-smooth legs. Go figure.
2006-09-08 08:15:44 · answer #8 · answered by warden14 3 · 1⤊ 3⤋
Lots of guys cross-dress and wear make-up too! Still doesn't make it right.
Seriously, though, most people will tell you it's either to help against road rash when they fall or for aerodyanmics. I think it's a mental thing; makes them "feel" faster. Who knows?
2006-09-08 09:35:47 · answer #9 · answered by FortheFuture 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Find out by watching Spaceballs
2006-09-08 08:15:17 · answer #10 · answered by Danny 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋