Square Wheels Posted November 12, 2013 Share #1 Posted November 12, 2013 This is mostly for the guys, but I suppose women aren't required (yet) to shave theirs. When I first started riding, a whopping two years ago, here is what I said I'd never do: Spend crazy amounts of money on cycling equipment Get a road bike Ride clipless Wear lycra Wear bibs Do a century Shave my legs I have since done all of those things except shave the legs. I had vein surgery on my left leg this spring, pics if desired, and needed to shave the whole thing. I did not enjoy it one bit. Not the process, how it looked nor how it felt. I will never shave my legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted November 12, 2013 Share #2 Posted November 12, 2013 Not since I retired from swimming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted November 13, 2013 Share #3 Posted November 13, 2013 No, but I'm not very hairy to start with. Road rash is better delt with if you are hairless, but I don't plan on falling any time soon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted November 18, 2013 Share #4 Posted November 18, 2013 I might have tried this a time or 2 Please define "crazy" in the crazy amounts on cycling equipment Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #5 Posted November 18, 2013 Please define "crazy" in the crazy amounts on cycling equipment New rider, some examples: 4,000 bike 250 shoes 250 carbon bars - this was a gift 175 leotards bibs 350 prescription sunglasses 350 bike GPS I resisted new wheels, can't justify them (yet) Plus lots of other stuff I've spent far too much money in one year, but it's been mostly fun. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Indy Posted November 18, 2013 Share #6 Posted November 18, 2013 New rider, some examples: 4,000 bike 250 shoes 250 carbon bars - this was a gift 175 leotards bibs 350 prescription sunglasses 350 bike GPS I resisted new wheels, can't justify them (yet) Plus lots of other stuff I've spent far too much money in one year, but it's been mostly fun. Never spent anywhere near than that, my road bike at around $800 is the cheapest bike I've bought. Most expensive is my Fisher I bought in 2000 when I finally graduated from college at $1600 and that was a near top end full blown XC race bike, makes me cringe when I see bike prices today. Shoes and shorts, don't think I've ever paid over $50 for. Bike computer, old Catseyes wired have always worked, if I need a GPS, I got a phone. Sunglasses, I tend to be very light sensitive and get bad headaches, so don't count those as cycling specific since I always have them and that tops out at $70. Bike upgrades I don't keep track of as I don't replace stuff usually unless it's broke, though I did upgrade the Fork on the Fisher but the old one was relocated to my single speed to replace the rigid it came with. Got a good deal on that and think it was just a tad over $100, but can't remember. Cycling doesn't have to be an expensive hobby, people just make it one. I've had people comment on my old OCR2 and upgrading it to something faster. I always ask why since it would be far cheaper to upgrade me, I'm no where near peak form or ability so the bike isn't the limiting factor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted November 18, 2013 Share #7 Posted November 18, 2013 The bike, shoes, bars, sunglasses, GPS, and wheels will last several years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #8 Posted November 18, 2013 Didn't get the wheels yet. I read that aero wheels aren't that effective until you can consistently ride at 20+. I'm not there yet. My bike came with DT Swiss 4.0 wheels. They are OK for now. Could they be lighter? Sure, but I have 20 lbs to lose, so if I ever need to look for lighter components, it's me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted November 18, 2013 Share #9 Posted November 18, 2013 My N+1 for this year was the Trek Domane 4.5, which I got for about $3000.. the most expensive bike I have ever bought. Since I started riding double centuries, I have purchased bib shorts as they are better for me for long rides and for climbing, when you want to stand. I spend about $120 a year for Pearl Izumi Elite bibs. I spent about $100 this year for Shimano XC-30 shoes. for the Domane I bought a Garmin 500 computer. It is nice to upload ride data, and, the ability to download turn by turn route instructions is nice, especially if you ride in unfamiliar areas ( I still have the route sheet provided by the ride organizers though). The sunglasses are Tifosi that I bought on sale at Performance for about $30 about 3-4 years ago. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted November 18, 2013 Author Share #10 Posted November 18, 2013 I read a lot about bikes before I bought. It sounded like lots of people upgraded soon after they bought (a year or two). I don't need / want 11 speeds, I don't need / want disc brakes. I figure the wheels will go at some point, but I'm OK with that, I'll get new ones. I figured if I bought big when I got this bike I would not need to replace it for a very long time. I still love the bike. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
torch511 Posted November 19, 2013 Share #11 Posted November 19, 2013 Yes - KT Tape sticks/works better if I shave the hairy stumps that serve as my legs. I had them waxed once too this year. My wife was disappointed that I went through the process without wincing. On a side note, in regards to $$$ spent on cycling. I was working at the LBS the other day and the owner had stayed logged in and had typed a customer name and it listed all the invoices for the customer and more importantly, the total $$$ that customer had spent. So out of curiosity I typed in my name. I immediately called the owner over and told him that I would pay good money to make sure my wife NEVER saw the number. That number is going up too with a BMC TimeMachine with my name on it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parr8hed Posted April 29, 2014 Share #12 Posted April 29, 2014 To the OP. No. I don't shave my legs. I think that I was the only person in the field at IMKY in 2011 that did not shave their legs. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pokey Posted June 7, 2014 Share #13 Posted June 7, 2014 Road rash sucks big time, but no, I don't shave my legs. But...if I did...I'd look real pretty sexy damn good. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Posted June 10, 2014 Share #14 Posted June 10, 2014 do you know why cyclists shave their legs? swimmers do it to take time off their swims. Not only does it decrease water resistance a lot, but it also makes your muscles fire faster but the "Streamlined" advantage disappears out of the water and the faster twitching only helps in a sprint event, it doesn't last long enough to be any good in a bike race no...the reason cyclists shave their legs is because its a lot easier to change the bandages when they aren't stuck to hairy arms and legs that's why racers crash a lot more often than most of us, so that's why they do it 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted June 11, 2014 Share #15 Posted June 11, 2014 Leg hairs or worse pubic hair poking through the spandex might be another reason. I have blonde body hair and it's quite a sight poking through black shorts or bibs. No I don't shave my legs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nate Posted June 11, 2014 Share #16 Posted June 11, 2014 vanity would be a silly reason. Men shave their legs for actual reasons, you know that. So that its easier to change the bandages is a manly reason to shave your legs, but you also have to shave your arms, too, or you're just a poser Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digger Posted March 1, 2015 Share #17 Posted March 1, 2015 Yep, shave mine, but I have the body of a Greek god. So for me it's a requirement. I HATE hair. I shave my head down to the stubs, shave my pit hair, back, trim arms, and the captain and the two sailors. Many people who start out in cycling always say, "I'll NEVER were spandex"...a year later they're wearing spandex when they come to realize the comfort I have 5 bikes. If you ride off road, tour, do fast road rides and commute to work then you need at least 4 bikes. Sure, one bike CAN do it all, but poorly. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
az_cyclist Posted March 2, 2015 Share #18 Posted March 2, 2015 It is disappointing none of the gals who post in SW forum shave their legs.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #19 Posted March 2, 2015 This time of year the only one who sees me wearing shorts (on the rollers in the basement) is my cat. And she doesn't shave her legs, so who is she to judge?? ;) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted March 2, 2015 Author Share #20 Posted March 2, 2015 What about Mr. Smudge? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smudge ★ Posted March 2, 2015 Share #21 Posted March 2, 2015 He doesn't get close enough to notice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Square Wheels Posted March 3, 2015 Author Share #22 Posted March 3, 2015 He doesn't get close enough to notice. Doofus 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Grampy Posted November 13, 2016 Share #23 Posted November 13, 2016 In my mind if you shave your legs you are planning to crash. I do not plan to crash. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caretaker Posted November 14, 2016 Share #24 Posted November 14, 2016 Doesn't everyone? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roadiejorge Posted October 17, 2017 Share #25 Posted October 17, 2017 Yes. Makes cleaning up with wipes a lot easier if you have grit on your legs. Now I just do it out of habit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted October 17, 2017 Share #26 Posted October 17, 2017 Hell no. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted October 18, 2017 Share #27 Posted October 18, 2017 On 11/12/2013 at 2:26 PM, Square Wheels said: When I first started riding, a whopping two years ago, here is what I said I'd never do: Spend crazy amounts of money on cycling equipment Get a road bike Ride clipless Wear lycra Wear bibs Do a century Shave my legs I have since done all of those things except shave the legs. No shaving of the legs for me, but check to all other items. I seriously debate shaving them every Summer as I start to apply sunscreen for rides. Sunscreen is a royal PITA to apply, attracts bugs & dirt like glue, and is a royal PITA to remove. Shaved legs would make two of the three things much easier. Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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