Question about Leg Shaving
#26
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I only shave when I feel my fitness warrants it.
The question is whether you want the free 0.015-0.02 m^2 lower drag and are you willing to shave once per week? This about the same as going from a loose jersey to an aero jersey, not hard to measure and quantify.
Wax strips work well for the initial mauling but they are expensive. I used barber shears to get them to a nub and then shave with cream and a razor.
I think there is also a vanity aspect, you showing off the muscles and vein type thing. Massage is definitely easier with shaved legs.
The question is whether you want the free 0.015-0.02 m^2 lower drag and are you willing to shave once per week? This about the same as going from a loose jersey to an aero jersey, not hard to measure and quantify.
Wax strips work well for the initial mauling but they are expensive. I used barber shears to get them to a nub and then shave with cream and a razor.
I think there is also a vanity aspect, you showing off the muscles and vein type thing. Massage is definitely easier with shaved legs.
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BITD I went 5 days without a shower. Three days on the west side of Glacier National Park then a day at a state park with no shower and finally a day at a Forest Service campground with no shower. The last two days were pretty warm. Finally checked into a motel in Missoula. My appearance (and likely my smell) frightened the desk clerk a bit.
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I just watched the Specialized video. They say shaving saves 50-80 seconds on a 40km TT and is like going from a round tube frame to a Venge.
Is that trivial? How is that not faster? Is it enough to warrant the hassle?
Is that trivial? How is that not faster? Is it enough to warrant the hassle?
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Geez, defensive much? He didn't think of the exceptional csse, so what?
OP specifically mentioned going faster as the reason, think that's a pretty good indication they're not talking about touring of any kind, let alone a situation where they are going to not shower for days.
And tbh, I wouldn't shave even under those circumstances because my legs aren't hairy enough for that to be a factor in getting my legs dirty. If they were going to be dirty hairy they'd also be dirty shaved.
OP specifically mentioned going faster as the reason, think that's a pretty good indication they're not talking about touring of any kind, let alone a situation where they are going to not shower for days.
And tbh, I wouldn't shave even under those circumstances because my legs aren't hairy enough for that to be a factor in getting my legs dirty. If they were going to be dirty hairy they'd also be dirty shaved.
BTW…I also take blood thinners, so there’s that.
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After healing from a crash with a lot of road rash on my legs, I started shaving my legs, just in case it should happen again (it did.) Cleaning and bandage changing is a lot easier with smooth skin.
If you're not sure you want to, just shave one leg and do some rides for comparison purposes.
If you're not sure you want to, just shave one leg and do some rides for comparison purposes.
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I guess you do not believe the improvement in CdA**********????
#32
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Yes, I'm aware of who you were responding to, and he's the one who didn't think of the exceptional case, so I thought your response was a bit over the of with the sarcasm. I'm not questioning your reasons for shaving. It makes sense for you, it probably wouldn't for me just because my legs aren't naturally hairy.
I also take blood thinners and I'm not sure for me what benefit shaving would bestow in that regard that would outweigh the risk of cutting myself shaving. Obviously, ymmv as leg hair is very different from person to person.
Do mountain bikers shave their legs? I'd think that would be the group most concerned with dirt.
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For context, this guy set a world record in the 4k Pursuit, and did it without shaving off that 'stache:
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Take it with a grain of salt. Aerodynamic drag grows as the square of speed. In other words, if you are doing the 40k tt at a high speed, yeah, you might realize some real gains from shaving. At mere mortal speeds, you'll get smaller gains.
For context, this guy set a world record in the 4k Pursuit, and did it without shaving off that 'stache:
For context, this guy set a world record in the 4k Pursuit, and did it without shaving off that 'stache:
You have it backwards. A 0.02 m^2 reduction in drag shaves more time off a slower rider than a faster rider. A 1:08 rider will benefit much more in time reduction than a 58 minute TT racer.
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I won’t argue, since I’m not familiar with the math. But can you explain in lay terms why this is the case? On a casual level, it doesn’t jibe with what I understand about aero drag.
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https://blog.trekbikes.com/en/2020/0...really-matter/
https://www.cervelo.com/en/slow-vs-fast-riders
https://blog.flocycling.com/aero-whe...h-aero-wheels/
#38
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Per Flo's calculations, their 60 mm wheels save 80 seconds over 36 spoke standard wheels on a 40km TT ridden at 30 mph but if ridden at 15 mph, the time savings is 160 seconds. It is often assumed aerodynamics only help faster riders, this is not true.
https://blog.flocycling.com/aero-whe...reducing-drag/
https://blog.flocycling.com/aero-whe...reducing-drag/
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#39
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A slower rider is out there suffering longer, so, they save more time.
https://blog.trekbikes.com/en/2020/0...really-matter/
https://www.cervelo.com/en/slow-vs-fast-riders
https://blog.flocycling.com/aero-whe...h-aero-wheels/
https://blog.trekbikes.com/en/2020/0...really-matter/
https://www.cervelo.com/en/slow-vs-fast-riders
https://blog.flocycling.com/aero-whe...h-aero-wheels/
#40
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Right now I barely have time to get in a few rides a week .......certainly no time to shave my legs. I answer these questions in a very simple fashion. If a wanna do it ....give it a try .... see if you like it and if its worth it. If not .....you can quit.
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#41
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OP..shave if you like, don't if you don't. I don't like body hair so I shave my arms and legs
#42
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I don't know about shaving hair on skin that is going to be exposed, but shaving short the hair on skin that is covered by clothing seems to let the wicking qualities of my shorts and jersey to do their job better and I feel like I am cooler. It also seems to be much less skin irritation down in the nether regions when the hair is trimmed short.
Whether it's evidence or not, I have never had a saddle sore in the last 30 years or more. Nor do I use any chamois cream, even when riding for 4 and 5 hours.
Whether it's evidence or not, I have never had a saddle sore in the last 30 years or more. Nor do I use any chamois cream, even when riding for 4 and 5 hours.
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Think of it this way, you get your biggest bang (time savings for energy output) when the forces are linear against you.
When you are going very fast, it takes a massive effort to go just a little bit faster. The gains are harder and harder to achieve as the speed increases. When you are going slower, it is easier to make improvements resulting in shorter times or alternatively, you can ride just the same speed with lower power levels. If you are going 5 mph, a 10% increase in power will get you 10% increase in speed. At 30 mph, that same 10% increase in power will only yield about 3% increase in speed. Where aero losses really mount depends on the rider/bike combination but it is lower than many assume....maybe 15 mph
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I don't know about shaving hair on skin that is going to be exposed, but shaving short the hair on skin that is covered by clothing seems to let the wicking qualities of my shorts and jersey to do their job better and I feel like I am cooler. It also seems to be much less skin irritation down in the nether regions when the hair is trimmed short.
Whether it's evidence or not, I have never had a saddle sore in the last 30 years or more. Nor do I use any chamois cream, even when riding for 4 and 5 hours.
Whether it's evidence or not, I have never had a saddle sore in the last 30 years or more. Nor do I use any chamois cream, even when riding for 4 and 5 hours.
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#45
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In absolute terms, yes. Proportionally, no. If you're doing time trials and racing, you'll probably notice it. Other kinds of riding, probably not.
I really think some of this is coming down to how much leg hair you actually have, that .02 figure is an average of some sample. My leg hair is naturally very short and a bit sparse, I honestly don't think I'd see much difference if they were completely smooth.
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Per Flo's calculations, their 60 mm wheels save 80 seconds over 36 spoke standard wheels on a 40km TT ridden at 30 mph but if ridden at 15 mph, the time savings is 160 seconds. It is often assumed aerodynamics only help faster riders, this is not true.
https://blog.flocycling.com/aero-whe...reducing-drag/
https://blog.flocycling.com/aero-whe...reducing-drag/
Just once, I'd like to see this argument be based on figures that don't come from someone who was trying to sell a product.
Last edited by livedarklions; 07-15-21 at 07:34 AM.
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Take it with a grain of salt. Aerodynamic drag grows as the square of speed. In other words, if you are doing the 40k tt at a high speed, yeah, you might realize some real gains from shaving. At mere mortal speeds, you'll get smaller gains.
For context, this guy set a world record in the 4k Pursuit, and did it without shaving off that 'stache:
For context, this guy set a world record in the 4k Pursuit, and did it without shaving off that 'stache:
#49
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I have arms that are capable of reaching most every part of my body except for some places on my shoulder blades.
A long time ago I did have to have my wife cut a dingle berry off. That was long before I started.... grooming things. For a long time have had too much hair, long hair, everywhere but the top of my head. Not quite as bad as the GEICO caveman, except he had hair on his head too. But then again we never saw him naked. So maybe he also shaved the parts under his cycling clothes. <grin>
A long time ago I did have to have my wife cut a dingle berry off. That was long before I started.... grooming things. For a long time have had too much hair, long hair, everywhere but the top of my head. Not quite as bad as the GEICO caveman, except he had hair on his head too. But then again we never saw him naked. So maybe he also shaved the parts under his cycling clothes. <grin>
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