Shaving...
#51
• —
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Land of Pleasant Living
Posts: 12,256
Bikes: Shmikes
Mentioned: 59 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 10182 Post(s)
Liked 5,881 Times
in
3,169 Posts
Not uncommon in older men. But caused by age?? Anterolateral Leg Alopecia
#52
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Cape Cod, Massachusetts
Posts: 2,318
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 0 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 1 Time
in
1 Post
Not uncommon in older men. But caused by age?? Anterolateral Leg Alopecia
I also have some scarring there which probably didn't help.
#53
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: D'uh... I am a Cutter
Posts: 6,139
Bikes: '17 Access Old Turnpike Gravel bike, '14 Trek 1.1, '13 Cannondale CAAD 10, '98 CAD 2, R300
Mentioned: 62 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1571 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 12 Times
in
9 Posts
I dunno either! But MoAlpha is correct... it is associated with aging (or age). The cause is unknown... and is considered benign.
#54
Old Fart In Training
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 2,268
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 12 Post(s)
Likes: 0
Liked 22 Times
in
16 Posts
Are you faster with shaved legs? These wind tunnel results are staggering - Sticky Bottle
,,psmL Roflmao,,this should cause a stirr ..
I wish they would have done Fat bearded guys on Tadpole's, word Is the big belly Is very Aero
"I do it because cycling's tied to its history and, good or bad, leg shaving is part of that history. It's a cliché to say that it makes you feel slightly more serious about your sport, but the fact is that it does."
"The best thing is that getting into bed feels pretty good! It's women's best-kept secret: shaved legs and cotton bed sheets! But only up to my hips. I heard a nasty story about an ingrowing hair on a club mate's perineum so I daren't go any further!"
"My girlfriend likes it because my skin feels better when brushing against her skin, and I like it because it looks cool, feels cool, makes me feel faster and even makes my legs look muscular.
Any recreational rider should cut off that leg hair, or avoid Lycra – the two do not mix well."
Don't Knock It Till you try It...
,,psmL Roflmao,,this should cause a stirr ..
I wish they would have done Fat bearded guys on Tadpole's, word Is the big belly Is very Aero
"I do it because cycling's tied to its history and, good or bad, leg shaving is part of that history. It's a cliché to say that it makes you feel slightly more serious about your sport, but the fact is that it does."
"The best thing is that getting into bed feels pretty good! It's women's best-kept secret: shaved legs and cotton bed sheets! But only up to my hips. I heard a nasty story about an ingrowing hair on a club mate's perineum so I daren't go any further!"
"My girlfriend likes it because my skin feels better when brushing against her skin, and I like it because it looks cool, feels cool, makes me feel faster and even makes my legs look muscular.
Any recreational rider should cut off that leg hair, or avoid Lycra – the two do not mix well."
Don't Knock It Till you try It...
Last edited by osco53; 03-29-16 at 04:32 PM.
Likes For 02Giant:
#57
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4340 Post(s)
Liked 2,985 Times
in
1,621 Posts
1. I used to like it. Now I don't care.
2. Once I put fake suntan stuff on my legs and some girls laughed at me... I guess it must've looked fake.
2. Once I put fake suntan stuff on my legs and some girls laughed at me... I guess it must've looked fake.
#59
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: USA
Posts: 2,067
Bikes: 84 Pinarello Trevisio, 86 Guerciotti SLX, 96 Specialized Stumpjumper, 2010 Surly Cross Check, 88 Centurion Prestige, 73 Raleigh Sports, GT Force, Bridgestone MB4
Mentioned: 5 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 278 Post(s)
Liked 71 Times
in
56 Posts
I have shaved since I was a teen. I was always a swimmer. No, I do not shave all the time but much of the time. Fortunately I have very little body hair anyways so it does not matter because nobody really notices. I say if you want to then do it, nobody business but yours.
#62
Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: Mission Viejo
Posts: 5,823
Bikes: 1986 Cannondale SR400 (Flat bar commuter), 1988 Cannondale Criterium XTR, 1992 Serotta T-Max, 1995 Trek 970
Mentioned: 20 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1948 Post(s)
Liked 2,180 Times
in
1,328 Posts
#63
just another gosling
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Everett, WA
Posts: 19,556
Bikes: CoMo Speedster 2003, Trek 5200, CAAD 9, Fred 2004
Mentioned: 115 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 3901 Post(s)
Liked 1,953 Times
in
1,393 Posts
I don't have much leg hair, so I've never shaved and thus don't know much about it. That said, I've been told that women like it and that it makes your legs more sensitive, so it's all good bed-wise. I belong to a bike club where "Hill is not a dirty word and only men shave their legs."
It's not only for crashing, but if you're hairy, it makes a measurable difference in your drag coefficient. Try it. It'll grow back.
It's not only for crashing, but if you're hairy, it makes a measurable difference in your drag coefficient. Try it. It'll grow back.
__________________
Results matter
Results matter
#64
Version 7.0
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: SoCal
Posts: 13,132
Bikes: Too Many
Mentioned: 297 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 1343 Post(s)
Liked 2,485 Times
in
1,459 Posts
Welcome to bike forums Genghis Kant . This is an 6 year old thread and many of the posters may not be still members. We suggest that you start a new thread on subject matters that interest you versus post to an old zombie thread.
To answer your question, Specialized did tests in their wind tunnel and found that shaving legs made a significant different in power saved. If you want to watch the video search Specialized Wintunnel shaved.
Here is an excerpt from Velonews…The tests showed that shaving the test subject’s legs reduced drag by about seven percent, saving 15 watts at the same speed. In theory, that translates to a 79-second advantage over a 40-kilometer time trial.
Riders work one or two seasons of training to improve the 40K time trial by 79 seconds. 79 seconds is a significant improvement.
To answer your question, Specialized did tests in their wind tunnel and found that shaving legs made a significant different in power saved. If you want to watch the video search Specialized Wintunnel shaved.
Here is an excerpt from Velonews…The tests showed that shaving the test subject’s legs reduced drag by about seven percent, saving 15 watts at the same speed. In theory, that translates to a 79-second advantage over a 40-kilometer time trial.
Riders work one or two seasons of training to improve the 40K time trial by 79 seconds. 79 seconds is a significant improvement.
#65
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4340 Post(s)
Liked 2,985 Times
in
1,621 Posts
All the Italians do it.
Likes For DiabloScott:
#66
Full Member
Join Date: May 2020
Posts: 425
Mentioned: 1 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 167 Post(s)
Liked 291 Times
in
163 Posts
I shave my legs. I started when I was 17, a Junior. Back then, definite peer pressure was at play with my Team and Club. I stopped in my early 30's when I no longer raced.
3 Years ago, I started shaving again because I race again; MTB and Road.
I do so because I find it helps me keep cooler - at least, it feels that way - in the warmer months and here in Portugal's Algarve region, we have over 300 days of Sun each year. I apply massage creams after hard training, I use warming lotions in Winter, I go to a Masseuse for a sports massage during racing season once a week. It all feels better shaved.
I had a crash 3 weeks ago, a 55km/h+ sprint accident where my chain came off and I hit the tar. I had Winter clothing on which took a beating and saved me from more severe road rash - but what I did get is all but gone now, healed quick, clean, no issues. I'm only just back on the bike nursing tendon strains but all going well and I'll be training again soon.
On my Club rides we have guys who don't shave, never will. Each to their own. Certainly there is no peer pressure among our Group and half the people who turn up for MTB racing don't shave. Personally, so long as I'm racing, training hard, I'll prefer to shave. When I eventually slow down and just ride for general fitness, the scenery and fresh air, maybe then I'll stop doing so again.
3 Years ago, I started shaving again because I race again; MTB and Road.
I do so because I find it helps me keep cooler - at least, it feels that way - in the warmer months and here in Portugal's Algarve region, we have over 300 days of Sun each year. I apply massage creams after hard training, I use warming lotions in Winter, I go to a Masseuse for a sports massage during racing season once a week. It all feels better shaved.
I had a crash 3 weeks ago, a 55km/h+ sprint accident where my chain came off and I hit the tar. I had Winter clothing on which took a beating and saved me from more severe road rash - but what I did get is all but gone now, healed quick, clean, no issues. I'm only just back on the bike nursing tendon strains but all going well and I'll be training again soon.
On my Club rides we have guys who don't shave, never will. Each to their own. Certainly there is no peer pressure among our Group and half the people who turn up for MTB racing don't shave. Personally, so long as I'm racing, training hard, I'll prefer to shave. When I eventually slow down and just ride for general fitness, the scenery and fresh air, maybe then I'll stop doing so again.
Likes For AlgarveCycling:
#67
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 12,930
Bikes: (2) ti TiCycles, 2007 w/ triple and 2011 fixed, 1979 Peter Mooney, ~1983 Trek 420 now fixed and ~1973 Raleigh Carlton Competition gravel grinder
Mentioned: 129 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4824 Post(s)
Liked 3,947 Times
in
2,568 Posts
No, not crashing. Life post-crash. Less abrasion around the wound because those hair didn't get ripped out of your skin. No hairs in wound. No raw skin being pulled by hairs every time you change bandaging. Faster healing. And best of all, the words "thank you for shaving so I don't have to" by the ER nurse. (That shave is not fun.)
My first post-shave crash was 3 days after my first ever shave in a race. Got patched up by the race ambulance crew after the finish. Sold!
My first post-shave crash was 3 days after my first ever shave in a race. Got patched up by the race ambulance crew after the finish. Sold!
Likes For 79pmooney:
#68
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I've been shaving my legs for so long, it would be weird not to.
Likes For caloso:
#69
Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 4,083
Mentioned: 6 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2333 Post(s)
Liked 2,097 Times
in
1,314 Posts
I notice I get more waves when I shave.
And, I am much faster.
I am on a recumbent and the hair on my legs opposes the airflow, effectively adding half an inch on each side of the leg.
And, I am much faster.
I am on a recumbent and the hair on my legs opposes the airflow, effectively adding half an inch on each side of the leg.
Likes For GhostRider62:
#70
Full Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Prince Edward Island, Canada
Posts: 311
Bikes: '23 Devinci Hatchet Carbon Apex1 '19 Norco Bigfoot 6.1 ,'12 Motobecane Turino (killed by dog crash), '12 Trek 3700 Disc
Mentioned: 0 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 149 Post(s)
Liked 128 Times
in
74 Posts
100% of my road rash has been on my arms so far, cycling.
I've lost 2cm off a leg and ended up with pins above and below the knee in a motorcycle accident.
Body hair has never been an issue for any of my injuries.
I think leg-shaving is just next-level stuff for the hyper-vain subset in almost all cases. if you need to shave your legs to win a race, and can prove that it helped - awesome. would it help as much if you stripped the paint off the bike for weight savings? If so I'm guessing most leg shavers would never do that because, aesthetics.
I've lost 2cm off a leg and ended up with pins above and below the knee in a motorcycle accident.
Body hair has never been an issue for any of my injuries.
I think leg-shaving is just next-level stuff for the hyper-vain subset in almost all cases. if you need to shave your legs to win a race, and can prove that it helped - awesome. would it help as much if you stripped the paint off the bike for weight savings? If so I'm guessing most leg shavers would never do that because, aesthetics.
Likes For Bearhawker:
#71
Senior Member
I use the clippers on my legs several times per season, and occasionally shave. For me it's not about dropping 0.2 seconds, winning, or even being silky-smooth. It's about not looking like a Sasquach. It's personal grooming. It makes shower-time easier, it makes applying sunblock easier, and it keeps hair from poking out through my shorts/tights. When I do my legs, my back usually gets the same treatment.
Likes For BlazingPedals:
#72
Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Sacramento, California, USA
Posts: 40,865
Bikes: Specialized Tarmac, Canyon Exceed, Specialized Transition, Ellsworth Roots, Ridley Excalibur
Mentioned: 68 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 2952 Post(s)
Liked 3,106 Times
in
1,417 Posts
I also shave my face for aesthetics.
Likes For caloso:
#73
Senior Member
In my opinion, unless you are an amateur or Pro racer, shaving your whole leg is pointless. I used to shave around my kneecaps so if I dumped the wound 'might' heal faster. As I look back on my non-racing bike career, I have crashed maybe a dozen times in my 50 years of riding. Only once did I skin-up my knees. Mostly it was hip rash or elbow rash.
I stopped shaving my knees years ago though.
As a competitive swimmer, in both high school and college, shaving down was mandatory by my high school coach and only recommended by my college coach. I always "felt" as though I was going faster when shaved but my times didn't prove that out. I think it's more of a confidence booster than anything else.
In cycling though, if you are competing, shaved legs makes it much easier and more effective when messaging the legs, and yes, I do believe that wounds may heal faster without a bunch of hair on the wound area.
I stopped shaving my knees years ago though.
As a competitive swimmer, in both high school and college, shaving down was mandatory by my high school coach and only recommended by my college coach. I always "felt" as though I was going faster when shaved but my times didn't prove that out. I think it's more of a confidence booster than anything else.
In cycling though, if you are competing, shaved legs makes it much easier and more effective when messaging the legs, and yes, I do believe that wounds may heal faster without a bunch of hair on the wound area.
#74
Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Portland, OR
Posts: 3,851
Bikes: Trek Domane SL6 Gen 3, Soma Fog Cutter, Focus Mares AL, Detroit Bikes Sparrow FG, Volae Team, Nimbus MUni
Mentioned: 11 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 898 Post(s)
Liked 2,072 Times
in
1,086 Posts
I did it once, just to say I did. Meh.
OP, just do it and get it behind you. If it sticks, it sticks.
OP, just do it and get it behind you. If it sticks, it sticks.
#75
It's MY mountain
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Mt.Diablo
Posts: 10,002
Bikes: Klein, Merckx, Trek
Mentioned: 70 Post(s)
Tagged: 0 Thread(s)
Quoted: 4340 Post(s)
Liked 2,985 Times
in
1,621 Posts
I had stitches in my shin once (non-cycling related) - the HM's had to pull out the flaps of curled up flesh to shave the hair off the skin before they could even start with the needle and thread.