Originally Posted by shelbyfv

Now seven pages and OP has trolled on to starting two more shaving threads. I wonder if he's trying to work up the nerve to ask for pics?

Originally Posted by pgjackson

Then don't get offended about it. Sometimes is it fun to have a lively debate. This debate has been going on forever and really shouldn't be taken seriously. Honestly it would probably be better if the mods closed shave vs no shave threads immediately. They always turn out the same.

Originally Posted by pgjackson

What it all boils down to is if you want to go faster, you have to get in better shape

Originally Posted by WhyFi

Incorrect. You can:

1) increase your output (which means get in better shape)
2) decrease your resistances (which means decrease your body mass)
3) do both (that is ideal)

This is all very well established, as is the need for chain lube. (you got me on that one, never trust your LBS)

Originally Posted by pgjackson

Originally Posted by pgjackson

If anyone is insulted they have incredibly thin skin. My point, if I have to break it down Barney-style, is that I think it's pointless to obsess over every gram of bike weight and aerodynamic effects of leg hair thinking those things are going to actually improve your abilities. You would be better off dropping 5lbs of body weight than spending a fortune on gear. Personally, I'm a bit of a weight-weenie about my bike...not because I think it makes me go faster, but because as an enthusiast I like to tinker with my stuff. But some people do think that dropping 50g of bike weight or getting aero bars or CF cages will actually make them go faster and then post all kinds of pseudo-scientific wind-tunnel experiments prove it. What it all boils down to is if you want to go faster, you have to get in better shape (and getting in shape typically results in lower bodyweight). Leg hair has nothing to do with it unless everything else is maxed out. Congrats on the weight loss! That is an amazing accomplishment.

Originally Posted by Koyote

I've never found any practical reason for amateur cyclists to shave their legs.

Originally Posted by Eric F

Practical reasons:
- Easier application of sunscreen.
- Easier and more comfortable post-ride massages.
- Less flesh tearing when sliding across the ground
- Easier wound cleaning after sliding across the ground.
- Better adhesion of bandages.
- Improved aerodynamic efficiency.

Originally Posted by WhyFi

Another (small) reason for me: little bugs (like gnats) getting caught in leg hair is gross.

Originally Posted by Eric F

Practical reasons:
- Easier application of sunscreen.
- Easier and more comfortable post-ride massages.
- Less flesh tearing when sliding across the ground
- Easier wound cleaning after sliding across the ground.
- Better adhesion of bandages.
- Improved aerodynamic efficiency.
- No gnat catching.

Non-practical reasons:
- Shows off your well-toned leg muscles (in other words...chicks dig it).
- More comfortable for your partner when snuggling in bed (in other words...chicks dig it).
- Sends a signal to serious cyclists that you are also a serious cyclist.
- Sends a signal to shirtless guys on hybrids that you want to race.

Originally Posted by shelbyfv

Now seven pages and OP has trolled on to starting two more shaving threads. I wonder if he's trying to work up the nerve to ask for pics?

Originally Posted by Eric F

Practical reasons:
- Easier application of sunscreen.
- Easier and more comfortable post-ride massages.
- Less flesh tearing when sliding across the ground
- Easier wound cleaning after sliding across the ground.
- Better adhesion of bandages.
- Improved aerodynamic efficiency.
- No gnat catching.

Non-practical reasons:
- Shows off your well-toned leg muscles (in other words...chicks dig it).
- More comfortable for your partner when snuggling in bed (in other words...chicks dig it).
- Sends a signal to serious cyclists that you are also a serious cyclist.
- Sends a signal to shirtless guys on hybrids that you want to race.

Originally Posted by Maelochs

I understand that the pro racers crash a lot. They ride for reasons and in situations which sane riders would avoid. ..... I tend to not crash. I call it "Riding a bike," as opposed to "Falling off a bike," which is not my chosen sport.

Also, nurses don't have to pick hairs out of the wound ... they have to pick Everything out of the wound. This includes sand and gravel, which tend to embed in the flesh, whereas the hairs mostly come off with water (or betadine or whatever the staff uses.) The gravel is what's hard to get out, in my experience.

And "road rash" isn't hairs being ripped off, it is Skin being ripped off. I want to see scientific data proving that wounds are larger on unshaven flesh--and that hairs are being individually pulled out of the skin and tearing the skin with it. Every time I have ever crashed (and back in my crazy days that was way too often) I never had hairs pulled out .... the pavement just abraded away the skin, hairs and all. What, do some people ride where gravel has tiny hands which grab the individual hairs?

As for faster healing and less scar tissue ... explain that please. The damaged flesh is gone, whether or not it was hairy. The are where there si no flesh will heal over, and sometimes for m scar tissue---regardless of how hairy the flesh which is no longer there might have been. Do the new skin cells somehow learn whether the old skin cells were shaven or not, and regrow accordingly?
.....
Also .... if the skin is ripped off, why would they skin need to be shaved? It has already been shaved by the pavement. The tape would go on the Unripped skin .... and a little alcohol will help dissolve the glue on the tape (apply that carefully, of course.) And if the skin is raw And the nurse is shaving it, she is just a sadist.



But again .... if you make a choice and feel a need to defend it ... go ahead. I personally think personal decisions are personal. Your mileage is sure to vary.

Originally Posted by pgjackson

You would be better off dropping 5lbs of body weight than spending a fortune on gear.

Originally Posted by WhyFi

Another (small) reason for me: little bugs (like gnats) getting caught in leg hair is gross.

Originally Posted by terrymorse

As a general statement, that is not true.

For some of us, losing 5 lbs would be unhealthy.

Originally Posted by Maelochs

if the skin is ripped off, why would they skin need to be shaved? It has already been shaved by the pavement. The tape would go on the Unripped skin .... and a little alcohol will help dissolve the glue on the tape (apply that carefully, of course.) And if the skin is raw And the nurse is shaving it, she is just a sadist.

Originally Posted by terrymorse

As a general statement, that is not true.

For some of us, losing 5 lbs would be unhealthy.

Originally Posted by pgjackson

I think you mean that as a general statement that IS true. Very few people are so lean that 5lbs would be unhealthy. MOST people can stand to lose a bit of weight, including me...especially if they are trying to maximize their cycling abilities.

Originally Posted by livedarklions

There's not a single person on this thread that thinks you know what you're talking about.

Originally Posted by Maelochs

When @RChung wins a Grand Tour I will take his advice.

Originally Posted by pgjackson

I think you mean that as a general statement that IS true. Very few people are so lean that 5lbs would be unhealthy. MOST people can stand to lose a bit of weight, including me...especially if they are trying to maximize their cycling abilities.