To new cycling fans, the sight of a professional male cyclist’s legs might be a bit surprising: very muscular, usually tanned from long hours in the sun, and…. inexplicably hairless?
Is it just a weird form of vanity or what? In a sport defined by grit and suffering, being so particular about leg hair removal feels off-key. But for over a century, shaving has been just as much a part of a pro’s regular kit as a helmet or bibs!
While the razor remains a permanent fixture in the pro peloton, the question of “why?” might remain in your mind, too. Let’s take a look at the logistical reasons behind why the pros always shave, from better massages to easier injury recovery. Plus, should the average “weekend warrior” follow suit?
Practical reasons for the razor.
The reasons for a pro cyclist to shave their legs boil down to some of the usual suspects when it comes to sport performance. Better recovery, injury avoidance and management, and overall performance all have a part to play.
Read more: Weird! 11 Strange Things Pro Cyclists Do Before, During and After Races
Shaved legs can streamline massage and recovery practices.
In stage racing, recovery is the only thing more important than just showing up at the start line and making it to the finish line. Even after spending five to six hours in the saddle, riders can’t just go and relax. Instead, they undergo daily deep-tissue massages performed by soigneurs.
What exactly is a soigneur? Pronounced like swan-yur, these staff members are sort of “caretakers” of the team. The word is French for “one who provides care,” but they are essentially the logistical backbone of a cycling team. Their most visible jobs might be passing out bottles or bags in the feed zone and, yes, giving massages after a hard day on the bike.
A good massage is actually vital to help the body flush out lactic acid and keep muscles feeling supple. And let’s be real: trying to perform a deep-tissue massage on a leg that resembles a dense forest would be a nightmare. It’s not a walk in the park for either the masseur or the athlete. Hair causes a lot of friction, which can lead to painful pulling and even mild folliculitis, an inflammation of the hair follicles. Also, hair can act as a sponge, soaking up massage oils and liniments before they can reach the skin.
After shaving, it’s much better! Smooth skin allows for a frictionless and effective massage or topical treatment to ensure the rider is ready to go again the next morning.
Road rash and wound care are unpleasant realities in cycling.
Cycling comes part and parcel with injury.
It’s a high-speed sport where the only thing separating a rider from asphalt is a thin layer of Lycra, after all. Crashes are not really a matter of “if,” but “when”… and when one happens, a rider needs to be able to be cared for effectively. A slide across the road can cause road rash, which is essentially a high-speed sandpapering of the skin.
But why does shaving matter? In the typical crash, a lot of the road race and abrasion happen on the legs. And hairy legs can turn bandaging, taping, or applying salves into torture. Not to mention that hair can trap dirt, gravel, or bacteria in the wound, which might significantly increase the risk of infection.
Once a leg wound is cleaned, bandages must be applied. Aside from difficulty with application, what’s next? Removing an adhesive bandage from a hairy leg is a sensation no one wants to experience! Especially while already recovering from an accident.
In many ways, shaving is the path of least resistance when it comes to injury. Bare-legged cyclists ensure that their wounds are easiest to clean as possible, and that dressing changes will also be nearly painless.
Aerodynamics?
For decades, many wondered if the aerodynamic benefits of shaved legs were real, or negligible. What about a few seconds over an entire race? It doesn’t sound like much…
However, in 2014, the engineers at Specialized’s wind tunnel decided to put this to the test! They brought in a series of riders, tested them with hairy legs, and then tested them again after a fresh shave. What happened?
Well, the results were shocking even to the experts. On average, shaving the legs reduced drag enough to save approximately 15 watts of energy. This might equate to up to 50 to 80 seconds saved over a 40-kilometer time trial!
In a sport where races are won and lost by hundredths of a second, finding “free time” of that magnitude is worth the most meticulous shaving regimen in the world.
Read more: Why Do So Many Pro Cyclists Love the Wind Tunnel?
Do cyclists ever keep hairy legs?
Aside from the practical advantages discussed above, tradition might encourage riders to stay clean-shaven. After all, the peloton is a place of deep-seated tradition.
In some cases, especially for semi-pros, shaving might signal that a rider has fully committed to the lifestyle. Consequently, when a star refuses (or forgets!) to shave, it might be a bit of a scandal.
Peter Sagan is one rider who never shied away from having hairy legs. In 2016, the then-World Champion arrived at the early-season races (including the prestigious Strade Bianche) with hair on his legs! In the rigid world of cycling etiquette, this was seen by some as an act of rebellion or even “disrespect” to the rainbow jersey he wore. Some voices in the media even publicly criticized Sagan by suggesting that the World Champion had a responsibility to look a certain way.
Sagan was always known for his flamboyant and even rebellious personality. Could the hair be some sort of psychological gamesmanship? Or what about a personal challenge, vowing not to shave until he won a race that season?
But when snow forced the cancellation of a stage at Tirreno-Adriatico, he famously tweeted a photo of himself shaving. Oh well!
Other notable outliers exist, including Primoz Roglic early in the 2023 season. It’s more likely to see unshaven legs in the off-season or among non-road cyclists, such as in gravel racing. For other disciplines, a “mountain bike aesthetic” might prioritizes ruggedness over aerodynamic efficiency, and hairy legs are more accepted.
However, as a general rule, in the WorldTour road peloton, a hairy leg remains a rare sight!
Embed from Getty ImagesThe amateur’s dilemma: to shave or not to shave?
If you are an amateur cyclist who just enjoys a Saturday morning coffee ride, should you reach for the razor?
As always, it makes sense to look at the reasons pros shave and apply them to your own situation.
If you are racing, even at a local level, then yes: the aerodynamic benefits are real. If you are training 10 to 15 hours a week and suffering a lot from muscle tightness, you might also find self-massage or foam rolling on smooth skin much easier. There’s always the “placebo effect” too. Many cyclists report that smooth legs make them feel faster, leaner, and more “pro!” If it boosts your confidence and subsequently performance, it might be worth it!
Read more: When Are You a “Real Cyclist?”
But for the casual rider, the maintenance is pretty significant. Shaving is a chore, and if you want to avoid itchy stubble, you have to repeat it every few days. Plus, explaining to non-cycling friends or family isn’t for everyone. If you aren’t crashing frequently or getting daily massages, the medical and recovery benefits will be largely theoretical for you.
The verdict? It depends.
If you really love the culture of shaving your legs in the sport (no judgement) and want to feel like a “real” cyclist, there’s nothing stopping you! If you don’t care about a 15-watt gain and shaving sounds like a hassle, keep the hair. Cycling is inclusive, and your fitness and your kindness on the road will define you as a cyclist far more than hair on your legs or not!
The mystery of shaving, solved.
Sure, shaved legs is one of those quirks that really makes cycling unique.
Read more: Why Do Cyclists Wear Lycra? Understanding Cycling Kit
Can we ever bridge the gap between raw, bloody reality of a crash and sophisticated, wind-tunnel-tested science of speed? Probably not. While the 15-watt gain is the most compelling modern argument, the tradition persists because it’s part of the sport’s culture. Even among amateurs, it can be a silent handshake: “I love cycling with all of its weirdness, and I am part of this tribe!”
At the end of the day, maybe even the pros feel that way, too! After all, we all know they shave their legs. And now we know why, too.
Image from Unsplash.
Do you shave your legs for cycling? Why or why not? Let us know in the comments or on social media! ★
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