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ok what is the big deal with cyclist shaving their legs. can some one please explain this to me?

Because they like to show off their great legs, of course! There are a number of other excuses sometimes offered, but they don't really hold water. The only two that sort of work are 1) If you crash frequently (?!) you will need to shave the site before getting taped and bandaged anyway; 2) Enhancing those after-training oiled-up massages. Damn! Where's my trainer?

I have been told that shaving all body hair increases performance and speed, particulary in tri-athelons. ;) S.

I think it makes them feel pretty.

yeah it makes them feel pretty, especially when the hair starts to grow back and its itchy as hell and you start getting blocked pores and spots

yeah real pretty!

I think it´s discovering the female of their inside, learn about how to care about the sensibility of skin and the boring non existent ideas of what to do next in allday life... or maybe they just feel free...

Speed and performance?! For Lance Armstrong maybe. Most men who shave do so to look younger (remove gray body hair).

I read once that a university study looked at cyclists and swimmers who shave their bodies to understand how it affected "drag" in the water or on the bike. They concluded that it had NO discernable difference in performance.

However, many cyclists shave or trim the hair because when you fall off or crash on your bike, there is nothing worse than trying to pick hair out of a wound.

Also, the feeling of the wind or water rushing past you on hairless skin is impossible to explain - erotic even.

I cycled for years and have great legs (not being conceited - it's just true) and clip them very short in the summer. I don't shave because of ingrown hairs. However, when I see a great pair of shaved legs, I'll often walk or drive a few extra blocks just to appreciate them.

Guys - nothing about shaving your legs makes you a sissy. Well developed calves and quads are a trophy of incredibly hard work. Go and tell a professional triathlete that he looks like a girl because he trims his body hair and he'll probably tell you that you're an asshole.

A man should be judged on his character, his honesty, his intelligence and his commitment to family, friends and passions, not his body hair, or lack thereof.

Well, it's nice to know that some people have a sense of humour. Others, well. . .

I find it very hard to believe that cyclists shave their legs in preparation for puncture wounds/scabs. That's just wrong. LOL

well, if you've ever been knocked off your cycle, going roughly 20 mph and land on your leg and skid, then you are likely to have all sorts of dirt and rock and god-knows-what-else lodged in your open, bleeding wound. Add long legs hairs to that mix that get caught not only in the scab but in the tape or other bandage adhesive, well, enough said.

Seriously, ask ANY cyclist and they will likely tell you the same thing. Better safe than sorry.

This very same thing is discussed ad nauseum on web cycling boards, Bicycling magazines, etc.

I have to say, I've shaved em, and I think it's good (better if your tan) if you keep it up and have defined legs. it also is great if you get alot of massages. i went to massage therapy school and it's nice to massage or be massaged without the hair. but the price to pay is maintaining them, and hey, sometimes it's just fun. because it's different. as far as it being feminine... I only think that would apply if you have breasts!

those who mock it are jealous. shaving for a cyclists for all the reason's mentioned are true, plus having hair when you fall, actually pulls on impact and drags...ouch! there's nothing better than shaving down and swimming fast through the water!

most goggle at bodybuilders and they shave down. know one busting them.

Why would I be jealous? I'm not a bike racer, nor a competitive swimmer. I MADE A JOKE!

I like my body hair. I like the way some hairy guys look. I like the way some hairless guys look, too. But more than that, I like guys who don't take themselves too seriously.

think no matter what reasons are said unless your a hard out pro rider most are'nt relevent.
my reasons are mostly for the look and it makes me feel more like a 'real' cyclist funny cause i compete too..

Well this topics been covered... and I agree, shaving sure helps when you crash. Road burn and hair don't mix. That's the reason BUT it does sure show off the results of all that hill work.. Not it
s time to shave and go ride...

Ah but as for competitive swiming the suit that imitates shark skin has proven effective- the cyclelists just like doing it!!

It's like getting a tatoo when you join the Marines -- it means you're part of the tribe.

Hi all... I shave my legs only cuz I like it, but you have to recognice, a shaved body shows better (muscular definition) than a hairy one, but i think both are hot!!!...=)

I often clip my legs because I hate the razor burn!
I love shaved legs as it makes them more easy to lick!

Well, i can say that in long distance endurance events, like Ironman, every little bit of drag does help (regardless of what the studies show). I rarely swim with a wet suit, so even seconds off my time matters. The crashes do get worse with the hair as it can tear the skin even more, and my average speed on the bike is around 24-25 mph, so yeah anything that avoid even worse injuries when I bike is important. Also most tri suits have very tight elastic grabs on the legs to seal up for hydrodynamic properties of the suit in water (much more so than just bike shorts)...when you transition to the bike, your leg movement causes this tight fit to move on your leg pulling hair out one little piece at a time. SO yes, there are a myriad of reasons for it. I am not sure why a sprint or Olympic distance triathlete would do it, but for half-iron on up, every little thing that can make you faster AND comfortable becomes important.

sometimes... actually each time... when i get a tattoo... even though i've never been in the marines, they shave the part of my sking being tattooed!

If i had the time, and i werent lazy, i'd probably shave my legs to show off the tattoos.

But i do understand the falling and pulling thing. I've fallin, not off my bike, but in shorts and its a HORRID feeling to have that hair pulled on top of the feeling of the fall!

If you watch the movie Overcoming,it's a behind the scenes look at the Tour de France. You will see the real reason for shaving your legs. After seeing that the only logical reason for a recreational or amateur cyclist could have is looks.Having said that, I love looking at some guys smooth legs, but prefer mine to be natural. Just can't be bothered with all that maintenance.

Oh jeeze. Get over it.

Using clippers to trim your body hair is an easier compromise than shaving. It feels great in the warmer months to not have all that hair.

Shaved is comfy.

Gee, thanks, Chucky. You've reminded me of the time that I wound up doing the wild thing wearing high heels––How did that happen?––in the midst of a sordid after-hours house party. Staggering quantities of Irish Whisky and cocaïne were involved. Anyhoo...

The guy turned out to have these unnaturally silky smooth shaved legs, which I had never felt on a man before and I just found it fookin' freaky, and not in the good way I'm afraid. I instantly lost whatever "resolution" I had as it brought to mind images of my mother shaving her legs! In that context––any context!–– we're talking big-time Ewwww!!!!, so I let him fuck me instead.

At some point, the guy's flatmate barged in on us and, without batting an eyelash , asked where he could procure more "party favours". My playmate, completely unfazed by the intrusion, replied matter-of-factly, all the while banging me like a coked up jackrabbit, giving the most detailed instructions to the all-night off-licence* where one could buy the "Special Tea" of the house.

The voice crooning from behind me was so damn sexy––groggy and deep––from all the heavy smoking and drinking, that I soon forgot the embarrassment and got back into a slower, deeper groove. Sensing that he was ready to come, I turned back to look at his face and––damn!––I was being fucked by the very well-known London drag queen that had invited me to this party in the first place. I hadn't recognized him without the Ginger-the-Movie-Star beehive wig that he was now wearing again!

So, no, chicken skin doesn't do it for me. But hey, if I hadn't been traumatized by that experience... who knows?

* convenience store

ROFL!

Lol....

Damn you, Chucky! I can't remember that flaming red-head's fabulous stage name or his very common given name––how whorish of me!––and it'll torment me until I do. Aargh. Something to do with the Irish whisky... yeah, it had to be Irish... it'll come to me, eventually. I so hope that I won't have dreams involving freaky guys with shaved legs tonight...

Smooooooth as a baby's behind....but, with a bunch of muscle and stuff........all sweaty (not stinky sweat, mind you)....reaking of testosterone....

I used to be a semi-pro cyclist and the main reason for shaving your legs is that you heal much quicker after a fall. And, yes, every serious cyclist falls once in a while and you don't want the hairs to start infecting the skuffs - keeping you from training for even a single day extra.

My build makes me a natural sprinter. In sprints you get a lot more risk of crashing and I did actually crashed several times. After the first time you know the value of keeping your legs bare.

Hey guys, I am new here, and don't want to step on any toes...

One thing that I haven't seen here and I have been a serious rider for many years and a former racer. Of course we did it for aero and bandage reasons (fricken hurts to rip that tape off), but now we know that aero is not too valid.

I keep them shaved even though I no longer compete, for a couple of reasons: My massage guy likes that I have them smooth; and you don't pick up bugs and stuff during a ride.

Plus a nice set of shaved legs is sexy.

Chris

I don't think about crashing & bandages when I shave my legs, I just really like the way they feel & the way the wind feels on 'em. Smooth = sexy too in my view.

New here too.

Ya, shaved legs are sexy, but I do it for another reason. I'm rather hirsute and the hair in certain areas pulls when I ride. That can be uncomfortable, so rather than have random bald spots, I just shave the whole leg.

luvs2travel saidI read once that a university study looked at cyclists and swimmers who shave their bodies to understand how it affected "drag" in the water or on the bike. They concluded that it had NO discernable difference in performance.

However, many cyclists shave or trim the hair because when you fall off or crash on your bike, there is nothing worse than trying to pick hair out of a wound.

Also, the feeling of the wind or water rushing past you on hairless skin is impossible to explain - erotic even.

I cycled for years and have great legs (not being conceited - it's just true) and clip them very short in the summer. I don't shave because of ingrown hairs. However, when I see a great pair of shaved legs, I'll often walk or drive a few extra blocks just to appreciate them.

Guys - nothing about shaving your legs makes you a sissy. Well developed calves and quads are a trophy of incredibly hard work. Go and tell a professional triathlete that he looks like a girl because he trims his body hair and he'll probably tell you that you're an asshole.

A man should be judged on his character, his honesty, his intelligence and his commitment to family, friends and passions, not his body hair, or lack thereof.

Stop talking and send us pics of your legs!!!!!

Shaved Legs? On a man?

... i dont know the meaning of those words