should i do this? will it make any difference?

Question

i have a lot of leg hair and i am getting to be a pretty good cyclist here in the Rockies and for road racing if i should shave my legs? will it make much of a difference? can an experienced cyclist tell me a good answer if it does or not

Answer 1

I used to shave my legs when I raced. No, there is no aerodynamic advantage (or if there were it would be so minute that it would be impossible to measure). And yes, it did make leg massages much more comfortable and pain free -- when I was lucky enough to get them. But for the most part it was just the thing to do if you were part of the racer crowd. Let's face it, much of the racing community is comprised of people that are not part of the 'in' crowd anyways, so if shaving your legs was another 'edgy' thing to do then you better believe most people are going to do it. Or at least that was the case for me. Believe it or not having shaved legs actually feels pretty good -- very smooth and sleek -- and it really accentuates muscle definition.

So should you shave your legs? Well only you can answer that, but now that I'm older and wiser I myself wouldn't bother with it because I'd rather let my riding speak for itself than making a statement of shaving my legs.

Answer 2

I have a lot of leg and arm hair and I have never shaven for a race. I don't believe it to be an aerodynamic advantage, as I always put on sun block anyway (it's a burn and peel thing) and that slicks my hair down. Yes, I know the top elite racers tend to remove their exposed body hair, but I have never read anything stating you will get an advantage physically.

Now that said, there is always the psychological advantage. The mental game is so very important in all athletic endeavors. I can see as part of the mental preparation the routine of shaving would be.

It grows back, no matter how much you shave it. Try it and see if it helps you.

Answer 3

People started shaving them for various reasons. The one I've heard the most is that it makes abrasions easier to deal with (and as a mountain biker who doesn't shave, I can tell you that not having that hair would be nice!).

I think that most "aerodynamic" arguments in cycling are a joke...!!! Lycra clothing is the best thing for the limited application that aerodynamics has in our low-speed sport. The rest of it is minutae and mostly of psychological importance for people that don't see the big picture here.

Smooth legs on a man drive women crazy, too, I hear....seriously. Whether or not they look sexier or more sleek, I've heard shaved guys and female partners of shaved guys all say the same thing....women love 'em! I'm still not shaving, though. :o)

Answer 4

There is very little or no areo advantage to shaving your legs. Racers shave their legs to minimize road rash when they crash. The hair on the legs will actually increase the amount of skin ripped off during the crash. Shaved legs also make it easier to clean and treat wounds and there is less chance of infection. It is also easier (and less painful!) to remove the bandages when the wounds heal.

Answer 5

Shaving makes your muscles more defined, possibly giving you a psychological advantage ("Damn! Look at the calves on THAT guy!"). It also improves your body's ability to cool itself by exposing more skin surface directly to the air. Wounds are easier to clean and bandage (try taking tape off your hairy legs, pal!), and massages are FAR more effective since the therapist can do deeper work without pulling your hair out.

What, you don't crash or get massages?

Answer 6

shaving your legs won't give you any physical advantage. swimmers do it because water can cause a lot more drag than air... i know one reason cyclist shave their hair is because if you fall and get scraped up; it is much easier to get infection with hair; w/out hair it is easier to clean, heal, and ward of unwanted infections...

but yeah, do it; the girls love it.

Answer 7

There is an argument that waxing makes you more aero dynamic (So buy some licra). However, the main reason for plucking your hairs out is when you come off. Clean shaven skin is easier for the emergency services to sew back to gether, than a hairy lump. So if you are planning on racing or feel that you might fall off occasionally, go see your local beutician. Even better, get sponcorship and do it for charity.

Luck

Answer 8

Wow, I think you got the highest quality answers on a question I've ever seen on this forum. I couldn't and dare not add a thing.

Answer 9

I have never shaved my legs as they are not the best. If you have a good pair of legs go for it.No it wont make you go faster , and people might say its vanity,**ck them ,and great for a massage of the Mr"s. DIFFO MANCHESTER ENGLAND

Answer 10

No but it is better if you fall and cut your leg