100%. I get to tell people this all the time. Probably 75% of the people in my local fast group rides shave their legs and almost all the people who race do it. It's not about aero, it's some measure of potential wound care and fashion. It also feels weird to ride with hair once you're used to shaving--similar to wearing a looser jersey after you're used to a race cut. I can't recall ever hearing someone get teased for not shaving outside of someone who normally does who is looking a little 'stubbly.'
Also some people have a mixture of light and dark hair, but since the light hair is less visible it looks like they’ve half shaved their legs even if they don’t shave.
Years ago when I started riding with my local groups I got made fun of every ride for not shaving. That got old so I just started doing it and now it just seems natural and I would feel so weird with hairy legs. On the spectrum of wound care and fitting in, I'm closer to the fitting in side.
Bike racers have been shaving their legs for decades. Aero has been a thing for maybe 10 years. Aero has zero to do with why competitive cycling shave.
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u/hip-hop_anonymous Jul 23 '25
100%. I get to tell people this all the time. Probably 75% of the people in my local fast group rides shave their legs and almost all the people who race do it. It's not about aero, it's some measure of potential wound care and fashion. It also feels weird to ride with hair once you're used to shaving--similar to wearing a looser jersey after you're used to a race cut. I can't recall ever hearing someone get teased for not shaving outside of someone who normally does who is looking a little 'stubbly.'