Go Back   SoCalTrailRiders > Local Riding > Racing and Training
Reload this Page shaving legs... why?/ok shaving legs but arms...hmm
Register FAQ Members Calendar Mark Forums Read

Racing and Training Nutrition, training, and race discussion for mountain bikers.

Reply
Page 1 of 3 1 2 3 >
 
Thread Tools
Old 08-22-2008, 02:36 PM   #1 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Default shaving legs... why?/ok shaving legs but arms...hmm
why do bikers shave there legs-

from what i have heard its beacuse of "road rash"
(which really doesnt help)
I mean is there any real reason why?
maxxisracing is offline
Old 08-22-2008, 02:41 PM   #2 (permalink)
Banned
 
Default
to feel silky smooth?
dirtvert is offline
post thanked by:
duke777 (08-22-2008), Framekiller (08-22-2008)
Old 08-22-2008, 02:47 PM   #3 (permalink)
Thrashed Masher
 
Zippo's Avatar
 
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by maxxisracing View Post
why do bikers shave there legs-

from what i have heard its beacuse of "road rash"
(which really doesnt help)
I mean is there any real reason why?
your road rash will heal better without hair growing through and getting tangled in the wounds.
__________________
Vertigo I can handle alright — It's horizonto that drives me nuts.
Zippo is offline
Old 08-22-2008, 02:48 PM   #4 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
SnglTrckMnd's Avatar
 
Default
Aerodynamics, duh.....
SnglTrckMnd is online now
Old 08-22-2008, 02:55 PM   #5 (permalink)
F.O.G.R.
 
Blue Rat's Avatar
 
Default
I had this on my computer from somewhere on the net ... don't remember where in order to give the proper credit.
  • Crashes. If you crash, it's easier to clean up the road rash and doesn't hurt as much taking off bandages. I say at least for mountain biking, if you never crash you aren't riding fast enough or riding technical enough trails. Even if you just ride on the road, if you ride enough you're bound to go down.
  • Tradition. Road cyclists have been shaving their legs for decades. If you you show up for a serious group ride with unshaven legs, other riders will shun you. Nobody will want to be riding close to you. They will think you aren't experienced riding in a pack. This means you'll likely cause a crash. Even mountain bikers should be using group road rides for training. Pro mountain bikers spend about 70% of their time training on the road.
  • Psychological Advantage. I generally end up shaving my legs about the time I start getting fast on the bike. Having my legs shaved makes me feel even faster. Other riders I know have said the same thing. Thinking you're faster can make the difference between being dropped or dropping someone else.
  • It Feels Better. I've found that when it's warm and I haven't shaved my legs, I get more bugs hanging out and biting me. I also don't like the feel of the wind on my hairy legs when descending at 50 mph. After a mountain bike race with mud bogs and and stream crossings, it's no fun standing in the parking lot with only a little water and trying to clean mud off hairy legs.
  • Massages. I don't get massages very often but they certainly help with recovery. I've been told massage therapists can give smooth legs a better massage. I do know getting a massage with shaved legs feels better.
__________________
"He's soft and he's fat and he's wearing my clothes and he's getting too old and he was born on my birthday and I'm afraid if I stop riding, he'll catch up with me."

I. E. Bikes
Blue Rat is offline
post thanked by:
Mr. Bungle (08-22-2008)
Old 08-22-2008, 03:11 PM   #6 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
donkey's Avatar
 
Default
Heck yeah....my legs have been hair free for 10 years or soo. I like it...that's why I do it.
donkey is offline
post thanked by:
BFloFoxRider. (08-22-2008)
Old 08-22-2008, 03:13 PM   #7 (permalink)
Thrashed Masher
 
Zippo's Avatar
 
Default
ditto. 21 years here.
__________________
Vertigo I can handle alright — It's horizonto that drives me nuts.
Zippo is offline
Old 08-22-2008, 03:44 PM   #8 (permalink)
Single Track Mind
 
genusmtbkr5's Avatar
 
Default
Sorry all, I had to delete several post that had nothing to do with the OP. Please, stay on topic!
__________________

Gene"GuidesNewWarriors"
http://www.warriorssociety.org/


http://www.sharemtb.com/
genusmtbkr5 is offline
post thanked by:
1FG rider (08-22-2008), ddmansprty (08-22-2008), dirtvert (08-22-2008), mtnbkrdavid (08-26-2008), Rockinthecasbah (08-22-2008), Wrecker (08-23-2008), Zippo (08-22-2008)
Old 08-22-2008, 03:56 PM   #9 (permalink)
Yeti. Turner. Niner.
 
PacMan's Avatar
 
Default
It's about time this topic got brought up.

Shaving your legs?

Shaving

Maybe those past discussions will help answer your questions.
__________________
Less typing...more riding.
PacMan is offline
post thanked by:
BFloFoxRider. (08-23-2008), bigringrider101 (08-23-2008), OldDogDan (08-22-2008), whybother (08-22-2008)
Old 08-22-2008, 04:15 PM   #10 (permalink)
Mashers Only !!
 
HUGH's Avatar
 
Default
edit
Last edited by genusmtbkr5; 08-22-2008 at 04:22 PM.
HUGH is offline
Old 08-22-2008, 04:40 PM   #11 (permalink)
OMR
 
OMR's Avatar
 
Default
I use to shave when I was racing mountain bikes... my wife liked the way the legs felt and so did I... although, I'd never admit to that today if pressed!
__________________
OMR .... An elder grasshopper of the Tribe

The journey is the thing .... ride like it's your last one...
OMR is offline
post thanked by:
bigringrider101 (08-23-2008), jeffj (08-22-2008)
Old 08-22-2008, 04:41 PM   #12 (permalink)
Yeti. Turner. Niner.
 
PacMan's Avatar
 
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by OMR View Post
I use to shave when I was racing mountain bikes... my wife liked the way the legs felt and so did I... although, I'd never admit to that today if pressed!
But if I were to immortalize it in a sig...
__________________
Less typing...more riding.
PacMan is offline
post thanked by:
Wrecker (08-23-2008)
Old 08-22-2008, 05:59 PM   #13 (permalink)
STR Veteran
 
OldDogDan's Avatar
 
Default Poll results
Quote:
Originally Posted by PacMan View Post
It's about time this topic got brought up.

Shaving your legs?

Shaving

Maybe those past discussions will help answer your questions.
For those who didn't follow the link, the STR poll results were roughly 3 out of 4 do not shave their legs.

To quote the Dos Equis guy: ".....no".
OldDogDan is offline
Old 08-22-2008, 06:02 PM   #14 (permalink)
Don't taze me bro
 
emfc's Avatar
 
Default
To piss off the wife when I use her razor (hell I buy the damn things)
__________________
el_d00der1no
I busted a nut
MTBMaven
The salty flavor really hit the spot.
emfc is offline
Old 08-22-2008, 06:11 PM   #15 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
gest24's Avatar
 
Default
The whole "road rash" excuse is legit. I've crashed enough times to be able to back it up. My latest crash was on the road and it did make cleaning up my rash a lot easier and painless. I've crashed on the dirt with bare and hairy legs. It is a lot easier to just flush the wound with out the hair interfering.

I also enjoy the feel, lol.
gest24 is offline
Old 08-22-2008, 08:22 PM   #16 (permalink)
STR Veteran
 
bjammin's Avatar
 
Default
because having hair on my legs and none on my balls looked silly
__________________
Welcome to California. Now shut up and start climbing!
bjammin is offline
post thanked by:
1FG rider (08-23-2008), Back in the saddle (08-26-2008), BFloFoxRider. (08-23-2008), bigringrider101 (08-23-2008), bikeadict (08-26-2008), BrewMaster (08-22-2008), CalEpic (08-23-2008), chauvinist_youth (08-26-2008), Devoid169 (08-22-2008), ebenke (08-29-2008), Framekiller (08-22-2008), giant rules (09-02-2008), J_Sims (08-22-2008), maxxisracing (08-22-2008), Mr. Bungle (08-22-2008), mtnbkrdavid (08-26-2008), ohyeah89 (08-22-2008), PacMan (08-22-2008), Pato (08-23-2008), schleppp (08-22-2008), sladnas (08-22-2008), speckledtrout (08-23-2008), springrubber (08-23-2008), Tmac (08-22-2008), Zippo (08-22-2008), Zippy (08-22-2008)
Old 08-22-2008, 08:30 PM   #17 (permalink)
Yeti. Turner. Niner.
 
PacMan's Avatar
 
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by bjammin View Post
because having hair on my legs and none on my balls looked silly
OMG. Funniest post EVER!!


...and my new sig!!
__________________
Less typing...more riding.
PacMan is offline
post thanked by:
bjammin (08-22-2008)
Old 08-22-2008, 09:14 PM   #18 (permalink)
Small, but Mighty
 
Zippy's Avatar
 
Default
I do it for mental preparation before a race. It's a carry over from when I swam at college where shaving does cut time off, though in swimming you have to shave your ENTIRE BODY.

I do it for intimidation too since hairless legs show off muscle definition.
__________________
L8 APEKS: "Never underestimate the power of stupid people in large groups."

Swim, bike, run.
www.zippyathlete.blogspot.com
Zippy is offline
Old 08-22-2008, 09:37 PM   #19 (permalink)
Senior Member
 
Default
Quote:
Originally Posted by maxxisracing View Post
why do bikers shave there legs-

from what i have heard its beacuse of "road rash"
(which really doesnt help)
I mean is there any real reason why?
Because it seems to bother people...and that's my modus operandi.
Rivet is offline
post thanked by:
PacMan (08-22-2008), Wrecker (08-23-2008), Zippy (08-22-2008)
Old 08-22-2008, 09:51 PM   #20 (permalink)
LEARN-IMPROVE-TRAIN
 
ohyeah89's Avatar
 
Default
I'm definitely not speaking for all ladies here, but personally, I think it's pretty hot when a guy shaves his legs, showing off his calves... Keep in mind though I'm not a fan of hair in general and a big fan of manscaping but that's just me
ohyeah89 is offline