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Why shave legs?

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Old 08-14-06, 05:37 PM
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bradb044
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Why shave legs?

What is the logic of shaving one's legs? Please settle the running argument I have with my riding buddy.
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Old 08-14-06, 05:40 PM
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Why not?
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Old 08-14-06, 05:41 PM
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I would tell you to do a search, but the search function is not working...
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Old 08-14-06, 05:41 PM
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Nice. Thanks for the help.......but seriously
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Old 08-14-06, 05:42 PM
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No, seriously. Why not? Ultimately, people have their own reasons.
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Old 08-14-06, 05:42 PM
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its all about vanity and peer pressure, any other reasons are BS
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Old 08-14-06, 05:44 PM
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B.S. as in Bodaciously Sexy, that's what.
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Old 08-14-06, 05:45 PM
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I don't think the wound issue is BS. It's definitely much easier and less painful to deal w/ surgical tape, bandages, etc. without the hair for it to stick to.

Originally Posted by pedex
its all about vanity and peer pressure, any other reasons are BS
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Old 08-14-06, 05:47 PM
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I'm starting to feel bad since nobody is answering this question.............haha I am not an expert but I was under the impression that it made road rash easier (or less painful maybe) to clean and also it is more likely you will get an infection if you have hair on your legs and crash. I know why swimmers do it for sure if you are interested. haha
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Old 08-14-06, 05:49 PM
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Um, because my legs are really hairy?
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Old 08-14-06, 05:53 PM
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wind resistance + weight (lol)

i'd not do it
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Old 08-14-06, 05:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Granny
I don't think the wound issue is BS. It's definitely much easier and less painful to deal w/ surgical tape, bandages, etc. without the hair for it to stick to.
everytime Ive had road rash, the hair was removed by the crash along with the skin, weak rationalization, try again

just admit it, its vanity and you want to fit in
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Old 08-14-06, 05:54 PM
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^^ah thanks for answering it

How often do people get road rash that they have to keep their legs shaved all the time?

It's an honest question that I've had for a while.
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Old 08-14-06, 05:55 PM
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People shave their legs so that they can start shaved legs debates.
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Old 08-14-06, 05:57 PM
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Main reasons: it's a tribal ritual, vanity (shaved legs look better).

Secondary reasons: easier to treat road rash, easier for massage, easier for sunscreen application.


FWIW, I shave during the season, primarily for vanity (and because my girlfriend likes it ).
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Old 08-14-06, 05:58 PM
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Well for me I ride everthing. So it is alot easier to clean my legs after some mountain biking in the mud. Hydrodynamics for swimming(I am primarily a triathlete). Plus, it looks awesome. You get ripped legs, and you have to show them off(plus, the girls sure do like it, seriously, most do. I have gotten more phone numbers after a long conversation is started because of it then before...)
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Old 08-14-06, 05:59 PM
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Well I don't know the answer to your question exactly Chad4yew, but how often do people know when they are going to crash? If it is in fact beneficial to shave your legs for the reason you ask about, it seems to me that you would have to shave your legs ALWAYS for that one time you actually go down. Or did I read your question wrong?
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Old 08-14-06, 05:59 PM
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Yes, because my legs are very hairy. And since leg shaving is part of modern cycling culture, I have a very valid excuse to shave them. After getting used to it, it feels and looks much better than unshaven legs. I work hard for the muscles, and I want to see them. Non-cyclists can assume it's for aerodynamics or whatnot, but if one asks me seriously, then I give them the old road rash blabber. This reason, though valid, does not seem rational to me. Do I go through the trouble of shaving my legs 4 times a week so that I can prepare for the extremely rare occasion of road rash? No way. I did have a crash, and it was much easier without hair, but I went through a ton of trouble for my shaved legs, and I could've dealt with the hair if it was solely for road rash purposes. I like my legs shaved, and I'm not necessarily judged as harshly for doing it because people assume that that's just what cyclists do. And if they complain, I just say "Well Lance Armstrong does it" and that usually settles it. Very few Americans will question Lance Armstrong.
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Old 08-14-06, 05:59 PM
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Originally Posted by SSP
Main reasons: it's a tribal ritual, vanity (shaved legs look better).

Secondary reasons: easier to treat road rash, easier for massage, easier for sunscreen application.
I'll go with the second one. Remember the pros get a massage, mainly on the legs after each race/stage. Any hair on hte legs gets pulled and is rather uncomfortable.
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Old 08-14-06, 06:00 PM
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Originally Posted by ElJamoquio
People shave their legs so that they can start shaved legs debates.
LMAO!!!!
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Old 08-14-06, 06:01 PM
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Originally Posted by Chad4yew
^^ah thanks for answering it

How often do people get road rash that they have to keep their legs shaved all the time?

It's an honest question that I've had for a while.
depends on how much you ride, whether you race or ride in packs, and how careful you are, ive had road rash once that covered most of one forearm over a period of 5 years and over about 65,000 miles, one crash that involved road rash, thats it

shaving doesnt do anything cept satisfy one's vanity, dont believe that, check out the "bike legs pics" thread from awhile back, very very few entries, imagine that, if you really have "bike legs" they will look good shaved or not, and you only get them one way, and thats riding a whole bunch
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Old 08-14-06, 06:03 PM
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Girls will touch your legs a lot more frequently if they are shaved.
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Old 08-14-06, 06:05 PM
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Originally Posted by haimtoeg
Girls will touch your legs a lot more frequently if they are shaved.
girls will touch you alot more period if you get in good physical shape
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Old 08-14-06, 06:06 PM
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Originally Posted by SSP
shaved legs look better
Well you haven't seen my legs then.

Seriously, if you're worried about people seeing your hairly legs, you can always wear tights, or if you are the Rivendell type, you could wear pants. But then if you were the Rivendell type, you wouldn't be asking the question.
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Old 08-14-06, 06:07 PM
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Why not?
Because normally men don't.


Even if the wound issue is a real one, there is no reason for recreational riders (that is all riders who do not compete) to do it. Its fashion, just like riding the right bike and wearing the right clothes like lance does. In 20 years I have never crashed on the road, thank god, so why would I shave my legs just in case I do. And if I do, I don't think the few hairs in my wound is going to be my biggest concern.
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