The legendary Mike Burrows, designer of the Windcheetah tricycle, the Lotus TT bike and the Giant TCR (and many other innovations) has found in his research that shaved legs are more aerodynamic than very hairy legs. However, slightly hairy legs created the least drag. This was reported in a few publications. For example, in the British Magazine Cycling +, when they published a special article on aerodynamics and bike design.
Mike found this data at the research laboratories in Norfolk, England. Home of the Lotus race & sports cars.
However, to be the most aero, Mike Burrows suggested leaving an unshaved strip running the length of the shin.
So when you look at your shaved legs and you think that smoothness makes you faster. Well,unless you are an ape, you are actually slower.
I am not making any assumptions. People mainly shave for the purposes of message therapy and road rash. Many others, for showing off muscle definition, or in order to conform to social pressure.
However, some people claim that it makes them faster, or that it makes them feel faster. So for cycling speed it is useless.
Swimming is different, there are studies that show that it increases hydrodynamics and improves swimming performance.
Why do people so much concerned about shaving or not shaving?
Do they think it is feminine?or do they think it is aero?or do they want to do it but can not? or else…
Shaving legs is no different than shaving your face…I do it because I like the way my legs look.It is as simple as that and NO it does not make you less of a man.
I am sick and tired of this subject!!!Do it if you want to do it…do not if you don’t.
“However, to be the most aero, Mike Burrows suggested leaving an unshaved strip running the length of the shin.”
That is perfect! I get tired of the questions at the neighborhood pool now. Could you see showing up with a “hair speed strip” down the front of your leg.
Hey, does anybody know the history of leg shaving in cycling? When did it start etc.?
<<<I am sick and tired of this subject!!!Do it if you want to do it…do not if you don’t.
Leave it alone…>>>
I don’t think I have been judgmental about shaving in this thread. I simply thought that it is an interesting issue from aerodynamics point of view.
Michael Hutchison who is currently the winning the national British TT, has said that he tried a few years ago to only shave the hairs at the back of his legs. He reported no benefit. He also tried to shave his arms before TT races for a while. This has not helped him either.
<<<I am sick and tired of this subject!>>>
I did put the subject as part of the title - why did you decide to read it?
Of course you are free to read what you like. Personally, I don’t click on subject headers for things I have no interest in. That’s why I asked.
To be honest, I am also fed up with hairy legs issues. But this particular study was, to my mind, quiet interesting. Some people post articles that they have read to share, when it has no relevance to our sport whatsoever. This, I think, is relevant.
BTW, a guy who trains with our cycling club has told me that he shaves his leg for one reason - to allow the sad couch potatoes at work to have something to talk about when they go to the pub on Friday lunch time.
I never shaved back years ago, I thought people would think I was weird. As I have aged, I have determined that I AM weird, and shaving would have very little impact. Therefore, my choice to start shaving was:
Massage is no longer painful.
Much cooler feeling legs in the stifling sauna Floriduh air.
My legs look ripped.
Girls always want to touch them.
Easier to get gravel out of them when I hit a tree and fly off my mountain bike.
Disadvantages are:
People think I am weird.
Kneeling on the ground working on my car hurts more (the hair insulated my skin from pavement grit).
**People mainly shave for the purposes of message therapy and road rash. Many others, for showing off muscle definition, or in order to conform to social pressure. **
Reverse that and you got it. People mainly shave for looks and acceptance. Many others shave for massages and road rash.
Very few people get regular massages. Fewer still wreck their bikes regularly.
As one of my non-triathlon buddies said when suggesting that I “had to shave my legs” (IMO, so they could make fun) because “it’s part of the uniform”.
People mainly shavge their legs because “the pros do” or “everyone else does”. I admit … wearing a tri suit covering a gorilla suit would look silly. You can groom your legs with clippers and not worry about the whoile shaving, body lotion/oil, stuff. I can’t imagine many guys enjoy leg shaving, because most women I know (or have knwon) would not shave if they “didn’t have to”. From what I understand it’s not something that is fun to do on a regular basis. I know I hate shaving my face everyday.
yes, I think regular shaving of the legs is feminine. there, I said it.
It is. If you have to check the “masculine” or “feminine” column for the subject, leg shaving is feminine. That doesn’t mean that a guy that shaves his legs is gay or a girl … just that the act of leg shaving is a traditionally feminine act. Women growing leg hair would be referred to as masculine and few would object. Getting manicures/pedicures, etc are other feminine grooming acts that some men are increasingly doing.
Whoever said men “leg shaving” and “face shaving” are equal or “the same thing” are just flat out expressing wishful thoughts. Let’s, at least, be honest when discussing the subject. I think we can all say that, societal norms, view males shaving their legs and males shaving their face as very different grooming behaviors.