To Shave Or Not To Shave?

Does anybody wax? Are there any advantages to shaving over waxing?

I’ve never tried it and am 100% positive I never will after seeing this video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oicVnz2wzuQ

Waxing over Shaving, You don’t get cut, it lasts longer between waxing, after a while it isn’t so painful, $40 and 20 minutes and you are done with no effort on your behalf, and sometimes you get a cute beautician to show your guns off to that is willing to pour hot wax on you…….bugger, I think I have just gone too far there…

Hey, I’m female and can’t stand the thought of waxing. Bad enough on the eyebrows and that is only a small area. Shaving is good. Just do it in the shower with soap. You’ll get the hang of it. Use a good razor – none of this disposable crap. Just be careful over knees and ankles!!

Out of interest, do you do toes and tops of feet too? And how high up do you go???

Yeah, I haven’t done it, but I like the idea of it lasting a lot longer and not having prickly regrowth…

Yeah, I haven’t done it, but I like the idea of it lasting a lot longer and not having prickly regrowth…

I have waxed plenty of times. It hurts in some spots more than other. And costs $60 a pop. But b$gger me it is awesome.
One day when I have a spare 3K, it will be ELOS for me. No more hair, ever.

I have waxed plenty of times. It hurts in some spots more than other. And costs $60 a pop. But b$gger me it is awesome.
One day when I have a spare 3K, it will be ELOS for me. No more hair, ever.

I found it’s easier to apply sun screen on shaved legs. Also if you have a bread trimmer, use that to clip off most of the hair before shaving. The shaving is much easier after that.

I use Veet. Quick, Simple, Easy. Smear it on, wait 5 minutes, shower and wipe off in shower. I use the womens product, a mens product has just been released. No cuts, no waxing pain, lasts at least 3-4 days, does most areas (just don’t leave it on for too long, avoid the tender bits).
Smooth as silk! Giddy up!

Waxing is the only way.

With you there on the Veet/Nads cream, Priestie. Got so many chunks out of my legs and bumps shaving is a major blood loss issue for me. But, one accidental swipe on the man bits with the Veet and you’ll never do that again.

What’s the rule on the demarcation line though? I think it’s the hairy shorts look but can be a scarey all the same….

Zach Galfinakis gets third. Top effort.

All the way, hairy shorts just ain’t PRO ;)

I genuinely hope you meant BEARD!
(Don’t think I’ll have bread for lunch today …)

I recently joined a team/club and all my friends are telling me to shave. I have not bought into it yet, but it has for sure been fun, they even nicknamed me the bear hehehe.

Wade, on a different topic: could you write something about how to organize a good lead out, how you should organize your riders according to ability for example: rolleur, sprinty, rolleur, sprinty, fastest sprinter. I have been looking for a good article on this to use in my team but couldn’t find anything. Same situation with team time trial. How do we organize? Strongest to weakest? Finishing with less riders Vs finishing with all etc…As you might imagine we have different level of abilities and any advice would be great.

Thanks in advance.

I recently joined a team/club and all my friends are telling me to shave. I have not bought into it yet, but it has for sure been fun, they even nicknamed me the bear hehehe.

Wade, on a different topic: could you write something about how to organize a good lead out, how you should organize your riders according to ability for example: rolleur, sprinty, rolleur, sprinty, fastest sprinter. I have been looking for a good article on this to use in my team but couldn’t find anything. Same situation with team time trial. How do we organize? Strongest to weakest? Finishing with less riders Vs finishing with all etc…As you might imagine we have different level of abilities and any advice would be great.

Thanks in advance.

Hell of the west overall winner Dave Sommers.. of team SHAVER SPORT

our American Flyers hero rides for “Shaver Sport” … coincidence?

[...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by CyclingTwips, Tom, Cary James, cassidy , SCC Racing and others. SCC Racing said: RT @cyclingtips: To Shave Or Not To Shave? http://bit.ly/fRjHqv [...]

Wade, thought you’d fess up here. Let’s face it, we shave/wax out of vanity. It looks and feels good. Makes you look fitter than you are. Same reason body builders wax. Back in the day we all said it was about massages, falling off etc. Except elite runners who get just as many massages don’t see the need, and there are plenty of sports where you fall off, over, etc and they dont’ see the need (and if it was about falling off why not the arms too!). Male cyclists. Be honest. We check the bike, we check the legs. But at the end of the day a great set of legs always trumps a great bike. (And for proof, just stand by any popular road route where there is a nice expanse of reflective glass and watch how many of us blokes steal that glance to check ourselves out.)

Ha! Yes…a friend of mine referred to the big glass windows on the building on Beach Road as “Windows of Form”. The guys sitting in the offices on the inside must have a laugh whenever cyclists ride by and check themselves out.

Ha! Yes…a friend of mine referred to the big glass windows on the building on Beach Road as “Windows of Form”. The guys sitting in the offices on the inside must have a laugh whenever cyclists ride by and check themselves out.

I’ve got an autoimmune disorder called alopecia totalis. It is a benign disease, but basically means your hair falls out. ALL of it. I have a bald head with no eyebrows or eyelashes, no chest hair, no back hair, etc… I look a lot like a mannequin really. In regards to the shave/no-shave argument is I have legs as smooth as a baby’s bottom with ZERO shaving. Sure, sometimes I get frightened looks from small children on account of me looking a bit like Voldemort, but it’s not that big of a deal.

I steal the wife’s Epilady and rip the stuff out by the root when necessary. It doesn’t come back as thick and hurts less after the first time but I would suggest avoiding the tender bits… Listening to music at the time also seems to help for some reason.

Looking at the picture of Sean Yates, I think another pressing issue of PRO cycling that needs to be adressed urgently is the alarmingly vast amount of PROS that sports earings… Why??? Tell me why!

Haha Belov….part man, part ape!

Maybe Costner was the inspiration for DZ’s moustache.

Did your husband hold your handbag when you were in for your waxing appointment? ;)

How was the confession to your colleges and non-cycling mates?

Done it all. Waxing is a problem over summer cos you need to let it grow long enough *yew!*. And it can work out to be expensive over a long period. The Epilady is way more torture than waxing. It’s like death by a thousand cuts. The last time I did it with a stiff vodka beforhand. Shaving is easy.

How far? All the way… and don’t stop at the man bits. Go PRO PORNO!

waxing all the way…gotta appointment tmw..$70 full leg, toes incl, no cuts no porcupine and at least 10 weeks until next appointment, pain is overrated !! Chicks who whinge about Waxing need to HTFU, seriously !!

omg, the hockey room thingy, totaly my reality a few years back, Canada eh…

Done it.

Never again.

I am surprised most of you didnt ask your wife / sister / mother first. As most will say, waxing is the way to go!

Waxing – may hurt a little, but will grow back softer / finer, and last alot longer. First time will hurt more, but it will grow back less and less each time.

Shaving – cut yourself, grows back darker / coarse, need to do pretty much every day or second day.

For big events just wax the day before, and then you dont have to worry about it again all weekend :)

And i still find it weird at the morning breakfast / coffee sitting around 4 guys who are talking about shaving more than me and my girlfriends do!!!

Shut up Gary, you has-been.

Shut up Gary, you has-been.

I prefer to way also but the only problem is that you have a week or 10 days where the hair is not long enough to be waxed

I for one would like a Campagnolo labeled razor to match my wine bottle opener. Replacement blades must be Ti and cost at least as much as a new Super Record crankset or the thing won’t go anywhere near MY legs.

Yes I did mean beard :P

Don’t wax. When the hair re-grows, you have to let it get to a certain length before waxing again.

Haha anyone remember that interview with the man Sean Eadie?
http://autobus.cyclingnews.com/riders/2002/interviews/?id=seaneadie02

CN: Isn’t it counter-aerodynamic to shave your legs but not shave your face?
SE: “Won the team sprint and went 10.14 in Manchester, won the World’s – wasn’t too counterproductive!”
CN: So why bother shaving your legs then?
SE: ” Because it feels great in bed.”

If I left the toes and tops of my feet I’d end looking like a tall hobbit! No a good look.
As for how high, depends on how much time I have… ;)

Waxing is ideal due to the time frame between sessions but it does require maintenance like daily moisturising and regular ex-foliation to prevent ingrown hairs. The hair thins out dramatically after a few sessions and as such isn’t as painful. That said, the pain of waxing is nothing compared to riding at Vo2 max for 30 minutes.

Dave Moulton says it best on why we shave/wax our legs: http://davesbikeblog.squarespace.com/blog/2008/6/20/why-do-cyclists-shave-their-legs-the-only-explanation-you-wi.html

I’m not going to shave my legs until I win a road race.

umm i have hairy legs and am a newbie – how far up should i have to shave. We are talking a major defolliation once we get into upper legs, and arse! on the other hand i will have major hair shorts if i finish at the short leg line. Whats the done thing?

I’d agree with the last comment “Feels good in bed”. Especially with Silk or high thread-count cotton. :D

Suggestion: when extolling the benefits of leg waxing and ELOS, it may be an idea to avoid using the phrase, “b$gger me”. It may be seen by some as less of an exclamation and more of a request.

You gotta go the whole leg (anything beyond that is strictly personal preference but if you wanna go further you could rely on saddle comfort as your alibi). Shaving lower but not upper legs will, as alluded to, leave you with a comical pair of mohair shorts. That can seriously upset your bedroom mojo.

My tips:
Little and often, if you miss bits it doesn’t matter
2 blade razor only, these things built like a dodecahedron clog too fast

I have skin like a babies behind so I end up with lots of shaving burn if I did it once a week. Wax needs to grow back before you do it again… kind of misses the point don’t you think? (And yes I have done it) Also done Veet (great for longer hair) and even that sand paper they advertise on face book (sad!)
Knees suck and behind the knees is’t much better (lost count of the number of times I have cut in line with the ligament)
Finally I am with Eaddie, the feeling of nude skin on nude skin is great in bed!

“Finally I am with Eaddie, the feeling of nude skin on nude skin is great in bed! ”

Finally! I’m glad you caught your man.

Maybee if you shaved you would have the mental strength to win?? Chicken or the Egg?

LOL

Gary and Billy… perhaps keep your lovers tiffs behind closed doors ;)

Seriously guys, it’s ok to shave your legs (I do) but all this detail and commentary is pretty girly… PC disclaimer: ‘not that there is anything wrong with that of course!’ :)

Wear a set of speedo’s when applying and then into the shower when scrubbing the veet off. Saves the sensitive man bits from accidental exposure.

I’m finding it really, really funny!! lol. You guys talk about it way more than we do….. On another note, from a girlie point of view, I love the smooth look of it. Don’t think I’ll be able to talk my husband into it though. Being half italian, he would have to start at the toes and finish at the nose!! lol

Currently sporting man-beard and hairy legs, and enjoying the space people are giving me at crits!

I’d love to think they are avoiding me because i look like a scary powerful cycle-yeti, however im sure its due to me
looking like a newbie.

The clinical term for this is

Kleptonarcissus – The act of stealing a glance at one’s reflection.

I have never shaved – only waxed. I have grown to enjoy the pain. One thing I don’t do is wax when I have a cold or am on the cusp of one. Hurts like hell

I agree with this approach, I held off until I won my first, then second local races, then was in France for a race, so thought now is the time…

Tried shaving and tried waxing – prefer the waxing however I no longer do either.

A simple ultimatum from my wife; “you can either have hairless legs or have sex, your choice”.

So I’m the bustling bushy bloke in the B -grade bunch.

There is clearly a need out there for a new way. Some kind of pill or injection that causes all the hair on one’s legs to fall out. A bit like the injection that CSIRO developed as an alternative to shearing sheep.
In the meantime, put my vote down for waxing, for all the reasons already given.

CT hasn’t mentioned the Pro’s who shave the arms as well…what’s that excuse?

nair

Hairy boardshorts is a viable option though – avoids more ingrown hairs in the sensitive region, and for the seriously hairy, you have to stop shaving somewhere!

ha, classic – i totally had an image of a bloke standing over the bath, wielding an electric bread knife to defuzz

Go the Veet or Nads. So easy and you don’t have to worry about shaving rash or waxing rash (and then ingrown hairs etc).
Why get rid of the hairs on your legs, well it’s PRO, and if you fall off it is just easier to treat.
I mean how impressed would the doctors treating that poor Malaysian track cyclist that had the splinter in his leg would have been! Cool, don’t have to shave before surgery!! http://www.sbs.com.au/cyclingcentral/news/21322/Awang-recovering-from-crash

My girlfriend made me use an epilator.
I have waxed before. And let me tell you, the feeling of waxing is like dipping your legs in a bath full of jelly compared to using an epilator. When you first begin it is absolute excruciating pain, like nothing you could imagine. You basically spend 1.5 hours in non-stop severe pain. It does get better as you get used to it though, and as your hair grows back less thick each time.

I do however hate sitting there for 1-1.5 hours to do this and am considering going to shaving.. How long does it usually take you guys? and how often do you do it?
I’d like to wax but it’s such a waste of money for a student.

My girlfriend made me use an epilator.
I have waxed before. And let me tell you, the feeling of waxing is like dipping your legs in a bath full of jelly compared to using an epilator. When you first begin it is absolute excruciating pain, like nothing you could imagine. You basically spend 1.5 hours in non-stop severe pain. It does get better as you get used to it though, and as your hair grows back less thick each time.

I do however hate sitting there for 1-1.5 hours to do this and am considering going to shaving.. How long does it usually take you guys? and how often do you do it?
I’d like to wax but it’s such a waste of money for a student.

Leg shaving/waxing is all about VANITY for me. I’ve been in the club for a year now. However, 2 years ago I got hit by a car and the experience knocked out the “smooth legs/arms is better if you fall off” excuse. I got broken ribs, punctured lung, collarbone etc, but I also got some bad cuts on my (hairy) arm and (smooth) buttock. In the emergency room, the doctor was scraping out the glass and cleaning the wounds like there was no tomorrow – I remember watching my wife grimace as I was smiling away, full of the best drugs medicine can offer (legally).

So, no matter if you’re smooth or hairy, morphine will be there to rescue you. (I can’t comment whether the surrounding arm hair increased or decreased the risk of infection – no issue in my case)

How do you get the hair off your balls with speedos on?

How do you get the hair off your balls with speedos on?

… Gun Check is another term. >> http://www.bigringriding.com/post/2929330318/kiss-your-guns

A different method… keep clear of the sensitive man bits with veet, unless you are into chemical burns and that sort of thing

A new way – wouldn’t it be good if the rate of hair loss was directly proportional to the number of ks ridden? Sure, I might be a bit hairier than I am now, but I’d be riding more ks to get smooth and silky.

Epilator! HR I think she hates you for sure… Thats cruel. I used that thing once and I vowed never again the pain was intense AND it took ages to get all the hairs.

Seriously, shavings pretty easy once you get the hang of it. If you find it too hard I recommend IPL. Works a treat and only hurts for a tiny second.

If you’re going to shave, do long strokes up your legs, and then slide the razor back down to start again- this clears the hair from between the blades. Go against the grain, and use shower gel. It gets pretty quick after a while. If you are going to go high, avoid the bits that will contact the saddle, and clipper these bits- especially if you have coarse hair, as this avoids heaps of ingrown hairs.

I waxed for a while initially, and whilst the pain is OK to begin with, it gets a bit intense around the bikini (budgie) line, and at the end you are ready for it to end. The worst thing about it is if you have been busy, your legs are wookie-like and it is friday, it requires a bit more planning to get a wax. 5 mins in the shower with the razor is heaps easier.

I sympathise with the above comment about sex vs shave. My female partner constantly gripes about my legs when they are shaved. Makes the point that if she wanted smooth legs she would have been a lesbian. I also think that it is a long bow to draw to say waxing is any more effeminate than shaving- i don’t think many outside the racing cycling community (ie. 99% of the population) would make any distinction.

For me, there is definitely an identification of myself as taking racing seriously when I have smooth legs. Sadly at the moment, smooth they are not.

Shaved legs are not “the trademark of a serious cyclist.” It’s sad what many homogenized folk pass as serious, hard and meaningful. Onwards.

Shaved legs are not “the trademark of a serious cyclist.” It’s sad what many homogenized folk pass as serious, hard and meaningful. Onwards.

:-)

Hairy legs is the sign of a pure cyclist. They are for hard men who loves hills, and who are prepared to head off on a solo mission to victory, knowing that their epilated enemies cannot see through the follicles to the talent that lies beneath.

If only we can get you blokes to shave your pits – that’s the bit the REALLY counts when it comes to l’arôme du pédaleur ;-)

Have my first race coming up soon, have been training decently for it etc. Would definitely consider shaving my legs but I’m stuck with the problem: What if I’m appearing too wannabe-PRO before I even have any results/achievements to speak of?

Don’t want to be the guy that people say “Why bother shaving the legs!”

We are certainly a funny bunch us cyclists. [I am laughing as I write this].

Imagine if someone from the non cycling community or a knuckle dragging MTB’er ;-) accidently strayed onto CT today. The mind boggles at the thoughts that would go through their head as they read the blog and then all the comments.

Hilarious stuff and yet we freely and openly discuss it among our cycling flock. But shy away from it when fronted by Neanderthal man in the street.

I am astounded that over the years we have not been branded by the media as some weird religious cult. Or maybe we have and thats why there is the whole cars v’s bikes who harrrr.

We do weird shaving rituals
We congregate in packs
We meet a few times a week and then again on Sunday morning for mass
We make pilgrimages half way around the world to ogle the best disciples at work,
We are then intrigued, bemused and shocked by the rituals of the other pilgrim flocks when we reach Lourdes France
We try and brainwash everyone we meet into joining our weird circle and speak our dialect language
We slowly but surely isolate ourselves from any other form of social activity where at least one other cult members is not present

We are cyclist and We love it!

Wade early in the year you promised more cycling features for the Age. I think you should post this blog. Imagine the funny mail we will all get to read from the general public. I dare you ! ;-)

Peace PaT

Yeah but you are getting laid.

Eyebrow area is much more sensitive than calves. Bear that in mind :-)

Better to win with hairy legs than lose with shaved. Get the first one under your belt then shave away. The one thing shaving will help with though is your psychology – you will start the race feeling like a PRO and the rest will see you as a contender. I am hairy BTW and face the very same debate with myself.

nah theyre not avoiding you thats just you gettin flogged off the back of b grade ;P hahahahha

Yeah, read Dave Moulton’s explanation. “It’s traditional” stops most questions…

+1 for the electric razor; I used to use a blade razor and regularly cut myself to shreds. Electric Razor is a load more convenient with the risk.

I shave to just above the short line and clip the rests so it’s short (also softer than lower leg hair) First time I shave I did the lot. Three days later it felt like someone was sticking pins in the tops of my thighs. never again

My legs are unshaven. I do not feel that my calibre of riding warrants the shaved look as I neither belong to a club (yet) nor do I race. I simply love riding for leisure most weekends and some week days. I have, however, done several paid mass participation rides and I have to admit that whenver I saw a shaven brother (sisters I expect to be shaven regardless) I felt differently toward them and that they were the ones whose wheel I should follow. Although I am unshaven I was almost sneering at my hairy brothers!?

I am doing the 3 peaks coming up and I am debating the shave / wax. Will it give me a much needed psychological boost to feel and look PRO? even if my capabalities are far from this? I dont really care whether others then see me as a contender to actually come in a top 10 place as this will soon become evident when I make my way to the back of the starting line and know I face finishing in the dark.

One thing I would like to touch on CT is what goes on under the skin. I have picked up a nasty knee pain recently. I have just come back from the physio where it became evident that the only thing I am doing differently that could explain said knee pain is LOADS of mountain training and that although my pedal stroke seems good on flat in heavier gears when I hit the mountains and start getting tired after about 80km I change up into the lighter gears and concentrate more on getting to the top alive than my pedal stroke and this is helping toward the pain. Coupled with this it has now become apparent that I am hardly using my arse muscles (is that the technical term!?) and heavily relying on my quads to do all the work. I am told these ‘arse muscles’ need awakening and have to do the ‘Arabesque’ and that foam rolly thing on the floor over my quads which is excruciating.

My reason for such a long, non-related paragraph, is that I was hoping you would agree that a post on technique, muscle useage and posture etc would be a great idea. I am sure I am not the only amateur with hairy legs that would benefit from some sound advice from you shaven club / team riders to avoid pains, trips to the physio and unnecessary anxiety about the 235km ‘challenge’ that I may not complete because of bad technique.

It may come too late for me on this occasion if it comes at all but it would make fascinating reading.

Cheers

Simon

for sale……… One epilator (USED once!)

No problem here.

I never have hair in my lower leg and a handful on my thigh. So it is a once-in-a-blue-moon job in the shower. The only advantage of being an Asian. :)

Yes, in the cycling circles they are generally referred to as AUDAX riders!

I shaved them once. Skin irritations, spikey regrowth. So for the past 10 years it’s a ritual every weeks to catch up with my beauty therapist to get em waxed. The first 2 or three times were the most painful, but after that the hair thins out. 20 mins and you’re outa there!

Why hairless legs? If you work so hard to get strong, fit legs why not show em off!

Ripped off! I pay $25 bucks for full leg, 20 mins, at a salon I have paid 40.

2 inches above the tan line, presume higher if you are a pro and get massaged.

Too much trouble I will just cope with being called a YETI

Invariably I find myself asking if anyone has any spare moisturiser. That always gets a few raised eyebrows :)

I’ve done the epilator once… on my chin! I did the full head wobble like I was getting sucked into the machine. Very funny stuff for the crowd that dared me to do it.

As for how long for the shave – my wife thinks I take way too long. Can be up to 20 minutes, around 10 mins a leg. But I go up to a long pair of undies kinda line. Can’t bring myself to go all the way to the ‘briefs’ line, but can’t do the hair-shorts either.

The women’s Gillette razors seem the best to me. They’re made for the stuff. And once a week usually does it. Can stretch it a little more, but then it’s getting long. Oh, and the wax job is both too expensive and too painful.

It is true that nothing says “real racing cyclist” like shaven legs. Since I don’t race, I don’t shave.

But the massage thing is true though. I have gotten leg massages with hairy legs, and it is really unpleasant.

shaving certainly makes it easier/quicker to slap sunscreen on in the mornings before I go riding – I’d do it for that reason alone!

Add me to the waxing brigade!

A few tips:
- Get it done by using the proper was & strips they have in the salons. Using the wax from coles is the equivalent of using those disposable razors… you’re just asking to get hurt
- Ask around to see if your mates know anyone that does it. Cost can drop from $50+ to $25
- Hairy legs should clipper down with No 1 or No 2 blade (hair clippers) beforehand. Reduces the pain cosiderably.
- Exfoliate daily in the shower. Exfoliators are < $5 from coles/priceline. Stops the ingrowns.

I find it highly amusing that you’re all talking about using a razor for women when I shave my legs with a bloke’s one.

I have one word for you fellas: exfoliation! Seriously. Get a scrub mitt and go to town on your legs. You’ll end up with super smooth skin and it’ll help prevent ingrown hairs. Plus, if you shave it makes it easier because there’s no dead skin to clog up the razor. Another word is: moisturise. And not just when you bung on sunscreen before a ride.

I think I am in the wrong place? Is this one of my wifes beauty salon forums ; )

had to take pain killers before going. No real advantage for blokes as we have tougher and hair than women (unless middle eastern!). Quicker and cheaper to shave although I do know a guy who waxes only because the chick who does it is hot…..

I think we should ask the boys from St Kilda footy club, from the pictures I saw they seem to be pretty up to date with the best de-hairing techniques.

Shave as reward when you get your first win, not before.

Shave!
FWIW some years ago I used to only shave just up past the tan line. Then one Sunday morn out at the Glenvale Crits I was second wheel coming into the last corner I hooked it into that last corner and was flying(50kph?) when I rolled my back tyre and put it down on my left hip and thigh.
I lost alot of skin that morning…..ouch!!!
All I can say is that where I had shaved was not as badly chopped up as where I hadn’t. The skin seemed to have been ripped off by the hairs catching on the bitumen.
Dressing the wound where there was still hair was a real bitch too.
Hence I now shave all the way up my legs.

Your bike seat is prob too low, getting a proper bike fit would sort that out. I finished 3 peaks last year by putting a newspaper down my jersey at half way cos it was raining and cold. I’m on the 3 peaks video paying out on all of the dudes with shaved legs stranded at the half way mark who were whimpering that they couldn’t go on, I had hair on my legs last year, it helped.

Yeah, cheers. Know it could go up by up to 5 mm but seat post is absolutely jammed – have tried everything so got a new saddle coming which hopefully may give me a couple of mm. Need to take bike back to paconi to have unstuck but fear it will mean re paint! so have to put off otherwise no bike : (

But how far up should you go? I agree is you have shaved legs then everything from the waist down should go. But what if you have a hairy chest? or bushy arms? Can I keep a beard?

As far as I can tell the only safe rule is to shave everything from the eyebrows down.

real men use WAX!

Adrian you are on the money mate. If there was any advantage at all they would have been shaving race horses and grey hounds bald as a Brazilian bikini line a long time ago.
There is nothing I enjoy more than taking on some shaved, fake tanned and polished punters with matching bike and kit including socks, helmet and gloves, with their bike worth more than a third world nations food bill; Having them look at my mismatched kit and my hairy legs as they catch up to me from behind and they wear a look of contempt as they pass me, thinking that a ride in the hills is a quasi race and they are going to win a jersey by passing this old guy. After sitting on their wheel watching them put on the speed until they finally blow themselves up and I cruise on by. That look of contempt is gone from their faces and it is replaced by the truth. Some ugly, hairy,old bastard just left them on the hill. Sorry about the ego blow mate go and shave your legs.

Adrian you are on the money mate. If there was any advantage at all they would have been shaving race horses and grey hounds bald as a Brazilian bikini line a long time ago.
There is nothing I enjoy more than taking on some shaved, fake tanned and polished punters with matching bike and kit including socks, helmet and gloves, with their bike worth more than a third world nations food bill; Having them look at my mismatched kit and my hairy legs as they catch up to me from behind and they wear a look of contempt as they pass me, thinking that a ride in the hills is a quasi race and they are going to win a jersey by passing this old guy. After sitting on their wheel watching them put on the speed until they finally blow themselves up and I cruise on by. That look of contempt is gone from their faces and it is replaced by the truth. Some ugly, hairy,old bastard just left them on the hill. Sorry about the ego blow mate go and shave your legs.

correct…. the only real reason to shave!!!

far out that looks painful…. I’ll stick to shaving!!!!

There is a good video here with PROs opinions, but somehow I can’t see it. The audio is there though http://media.theage.com.au/tour-shaving-secrets-revealed-1061901.html

now thats spookily familiar…..

If you have shaved legs it’s much easier to pick up lesbians

And then perhaps you can do something funky like grow a (handlebar) moustache on your thigh or calf – but just for Movember, otherwise it would be stupid!

Loving all the comments on this.
It took me about 6 months after starting cycling to really understand and appreciate men with shaved legs. Now even my non-cycling girlfriends are beginning to understand. Although it really only works if the rest of the kit and body matches the gun show.

What I don’t understand is the claim of ‘leg swelling’ post-shave. I’ve never experienced this….

I’ve never had leg swelling either… makes me wonder what on earth you all are doing when you shave your legs…

I’ve never had leg swelling either… makes me wonder what on earth you all are doing when you shave your legs…

Leave the eyebrows (contrary to what Peter Garrett may think), … do the rest down.

http://chicksandbikes.blogspot.com/

Hair clippers: One time buy that works for my head and legs. Using no guard, it basically gives the same results faster and without irritation. Shaving sucks big time and takes for ever, buzz it down to >1/16th in. and thank me later.

http://media.brisbanetimes.com.au/tour-shaving-secrets-revealed-1061901.html

This link’s video works hks. Cheers.

“…my beauty therapist”

Do you know how I know you’re gay?

“…my beauty therapist”

Do you know how I know you’re gay?

Every 5 to 6 weeks I get them waxed. The hair is getting noticeably thinner and it’s under a year since I started. Even my beautician was amazed at how quickly I’m thinning out!

Thankfully top of feet isn;t a problem for me. Toes…sometimes but usually only in summer. How far up? I’ll leave that to your imagination! :) It’s always (at least) a full leg wax. I ain’t wearing chewbacca shorts for nobody!

20yrs of shaving and trying all the other methods, wax / epilator etc, I am down with the clipers too. No need to change over for the shave down of the hairy shots then too

I’m not sure if it happens to everyone (evidently not), but if you let your hair grow back and then shave it all off again your legs will get a bit of swelling. Not sure what it’s from…

I’m not sure if it happens to everyone (evidently not), but if you let your hair grow back and then shave it all off again your legs will get a bit of swelling. Not sure what it’s from…

Hairy legs bulging out past the lycra looks horrible. That is the real reason you should shave. Also, (I haven’t read any of the other comments) but depilating creams work pretty well, but they smell like ammonia. I’m not a very hairy person, but I wonder, do people shave their arms?

Your bike manufacturer should be able to do it without requiring a re-paint. And the way they will probably do it is by putting your seatpost in a vice and then using the leverage of moving the frame.

It will total your seatpost, but the frame should be ok. And if that doesn’t work, they can saw off the post, then saw a wedge out and attack it that way.

Recommend you leave the room when this is being done – it can be a distressing experience!

If it is a Paconi, can I ask whether it is a steel frame and a carbon post? They stick together nicely…

it steel frame with ali post. spoke to kevin at paconi today who is suggesting heating frame to remove involving a repaint!! a VERY expensive exercise for 5mm – i wouldnt even pay best part of $500 for 5mm on my manhood let alone a seat post. ratrher look at buying a new bike : ) – any excuse.

Hey Wade, I had to ring Michael Wilson after your comment at the end of the piece on shaving, he says while he may have come to some early season races with a week or two of growth on his legs, they were always shaved!! I reckon Sean Yates was ‘havin’ a laff’ if he told you that!! He is a legend though. Michael was at the end of a long day tending to his vines on the Tamar outside Launceston when I rang. Check out Velo Wines. Re why do you shave, I may have a reverse status symbol now (hairy legs that still go OK and are unique among the young guns around me on the Saturday Gallop), but I can say in response to Sean Eadie’s comments related above, my wife was a bit sad when I stopped shaving my legs after my last race, the 96 Warnambool! So yes, they are sexier!! I only ever used a razor too, but a lot of guys waxed – I am not that brave! Cheers

Taking this a little further – I’ve lost a bit of skin on the road over the years. Last time, I went to the Dr to get the wound cleaned and dressed. No sticky bandages this time – a clear film called OPSITE (there are a few different kinds). It doesn’t allow a scab to form, heals with minimal scarring. Very comfortable under clothes and when riding and when removing to re-dress every few days.

Still going to lose some skin, shaved or not shaved, but if to comes to this, make sure you’ve got a good dressing.

I’m just surprised that there isn’t a team sponsored by them yet (that I know of) (http://www.cyclingtipsblog.com/2011/02/how-to-get-a-cycling-sponsorship/)

Hey Stephen,

Ha! Too funny. I need to protect my dodgy sources, but I thought I’d qualify my statement about Michael with the “legend has it…”.

I’d love to do a “where are they now” post about Michael Wilson. I’ve heard much about him. As well as you!

Michael is a great subject for ‘where are they now?’. He was always a quiet achiever and an incredibly talented bike rider in the era when there were only a few Aussies riding in Europe. Also, he rode principally in Italy as a pro which was also a bit less visible to Australian cycling fans who only saw the classics and the Tour in that period. He loves wine and has pursued a long career in it winemaking since before he retired. I will send a photo or two to you and his contacts for you to follow up directly.

Question? What gives more pleasure than overtaking a fully kitted rider on a 9% ascent whose steed costs more than three times yours, whose age is less than half yours, and, whose glistening, shaven and taned legs would be the envy of any euro pro?

Answer: Overtaking the same rider with your own hairy legs .

Yes OPSITE works on smaller grazes and ones that arn’t losing too much fluid but I used a product thats been mentioned on here before and found it to be great for larger wounds. Goes under various name like MEFIX, HYPERFIX etc. The wound I got from the spill mentioned above weaped heavily for days and was agony to live with, once I dressed it with the above every thing was sweet, I could shower, wear normal clothing, sleep etc.

We’re on the same wavelength Stephen, Wade and I were talking about it the other day and I mentioned how it’s funny he’s got a Wikipedia page on him (obviously a fan has written) but it’s in Italian. I’ll send you something shortly to arrange an intro if that’s allright.
Jamie

Bike fit, definitely.

Highly recommend the place I got mine but I’ve already given them too much money they don’t need the extra free advertising.

Do it with the right guys and you’ll get the clips and a full technical report to take home too. Skinny does a great job.

Do tell …

Do tell …

Do tell …

Yo Faustas, I was probably doing base kms at the time :D

Yeh, with ya JC, I was on a recovery ride mate…in the middle of a big training block.

I’ll leave it to the next CT post by Wade…you’ll be able to guess who it was when I tell you the fitting guys trained on the same model as used on Spartacus.

Originally I had the bike fit when I bought in another store. No disrespect to the other guys (they’re a good store and good guys), but anyone paying decent $ for a bike should be talked into a proper fit (ie. more than the 10 mins they gave me). This fit took 2+ hours (maybe it was because I’m such a hubbard).

My only tip is to not get excited with the credit card, I walked out $1,200 lighter in the pocket despite knowing full well it’s a great up-sell opportunity for them. New Speedplays, new white princesses, new saddle, admittedly at a discount but still above what I’d pay on wiggle etc. Despite the fact I had been told I’d be at least buying a new saddle after they give you the spiel about the old one impacting on your reproductive abilities…

Saddle height reduced by 9mm, drops reduced by 7mm. Feel heaps more powerful (admittedly off a very very low base), and no shifiting back and forth on the saddle, soreness on long rides etc.

Aye gotcha, was actually thinking of going for that style of fit, seem to be a few retailers training up on it ~ Saddle height dropped by 9mm, wowza!

Yeh, dum I know but was set up that way when I bought the bike. I was thinking the stretch down to my drops was because I have zero flexibility. Don’t know much about the car industry, but am thinking bikes will follow that and the operators will make more out of servicing etc. than they do the new car (bike). $120 an hour or something for a fit is pretty good going for a LBS.

How on earth did this get off on the tangent of bike fit?

Anyway, I’ll be posting something on bike fit next week…We can continue this conversation then.

I’ve resorted to using the good old straight razor, no more hair clogging the razor, less likely of ingrown hairs too (no multiple blade marketing rubbish here!) A few passes on the strop and away we go. shaving feels much better too, just be careful not to cut something you need :D

apologies Wade, my fault. Lets talk razors and moisturiser again indeed ; )

I have only ever waxed. Cannot believe there is any question on what is better etc. The more you wax, the less you have to. The more you shave the more you have to.

Shaving my face daily is a chore enough. Shaving legs is pointless. Nothing against those of you that do it though. Maybe it’s my MTB roots.

I don’t care what’s ‘pro’, I just love to ride. The best thing about not shaving is the look on roadies you pass up a hill that do shave :P

Yup, I am annoyed enough having to shave my face every few days. Can’t be bothered to shave my legs. I’m all for looking PRO, but just can’t bring myself to start shaving my legs. But, I’m also not very hairy and it’s fair. Doesn’t look too bad.

If I hit Cat 2 I’ll start though;)

Having spent the last 3 days decorating… I can say with experience it is MUCH MUCH easier to clean gloss paint from shaved legs than the hairy flavour!

You shave your legs because you are queers. The excuses you come up with are just a cover for this. Simple.

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I stopped shaving my legs years ago because it was a big waste of time that doesn’t serve any useful purpose. One positive side effect is that posers look down on me because I look like a hairy wannabe, that is, until I blow by them and they don’t have a chance in hell of ever catching me. I love being the inconspicuous sleeper in the group ride.

Shaved legs just don’t seem very masculine to me, and my biker husband knows it and keeps the hair.  At the pool yesterday I was laying out next to his shaved-leg biker friend and it was just, as always, weird.  It’s been a few years since some of his biker/tri  friends started shaving and still I can’t get used to these guys going all girlie on me for vanity’s sake.  Then again, I like a more rugged guy.  :-)  

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I also never shaved – is growing. I grew to enjoy the pain. One thing I do is wax when I have a cold or are on the verge of one.
 

I also never shaved – is growing. I grew to enjoy the pain. One thing I do is wax when I have a cold or are on the verge of one.
 

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never waxed,shaved all my legs.Did the IPL and loved it.Legs look great and tanned.Actually shaved from the nose to my feet.Love going nude to show myself off and the girls love looking.I let them feel my legs.Yes it excites me but I love them doing it.They only tell me my legs look great.

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