Shaving

[jmdirt]

I'm talking about my face, but it could be legs too. I've used a Gillette Pro Glide Fission handle and cartridges for years now and like the results. I tired a few of the "shave clubs", and the shave isn't as good for me. Even on ebay the cartridges are about $3 each though (I just finished my last sub $2 one). Does anyone have a less expensive source, or a recommendation for a blade that they prefer that is under $2 a cartridge?

 

[kwikki]

Just be a man and use a kitchen knife

 

[jmdirt]

ebandit, I tried a few different disposables when traveling several years ago and they were not as good as the cartridges for me.

kwikki, I've been using a sharpened rock this week.

 

[BigMac]

Re:

...........cheap disposable razors from aldi do the job great for me......

£0.89/12........................................look beyond the hype

Mark L

Ew, peasant. Barbershop it is.

Seriously though, a rusty Gillette Mach 3 does the trick for me. Just now realized blades can be a bit expensive but I always end up using them longer than I should, so.

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Don't shave your legs. I was the only one on my team who never did. Didn't stop me from winning races.

When someone pointed out clean-shaven legs are 1% more aerodynamic, I'd say: "I'll train 1% harder then, thank you".

The only real advantage to shaving your legs is that you need far less massage oil, but unless you're getting a massage every day after your training ride it's really not worth the girly look.

 

[Brullnux]

Re:

Don't shave your legs. I was the only one on my team who never did. Didn't stop me from winning races.

When someone pointed out clean-shaven legs are 1% more aerodynamic, I'd say: "I'll train 1% harder then, thank you".

The only real advantage to shaving your legs is that you need far less massage oil, but unless you're getting a massage every day after your training ride it's really not worth the girly look.

I don't shave my legs for the reason that it would take me about an hour or two to do it and it would grow back in about two days (I have been blessed with the nickname Mr. Tumnus), but I see why you would; if you crash I imagine it's easier to clean the road rash

 

[Tricycle Rider]

I like the generic version of the classic Gillette Daisy (not for its pink color, but because it has two blades, plus a comfort strip) - it gives me a nice, close shave.

But more importantly, I like a decent (but cheap) shaving gel or foam that doesn't smell too manly - seeing as I'm a girl.

My current faves (or their generic equivalents):

 

[BigMac]

Re:

Don't shave your legs. I was the only one on my team who never did. Didn't stop me from winning races.

When someone pointed out clean-shaven legs are 1% more aerodynamic, I'd say: "I'll train 1% harder then, thank you".

The only real advantage to shaving your legs is that you need far less massage oil, but unless you're getting a massage every day after your training ride it's really not worth the girly look.

Most people don't do it for gains or whatever. It's just part of the culture. Depending on how much hair you have, unshaven legs with bib shorts can look odd. I've waxed a few times but I'm not hairy so I don't have to bother too much. That said, I'm never again shaving my legs. It takes too long and the smooth look lasts only a short time, not to mention I was always cutting myself and it hurts like hell the first days the hair is growing back.

And no way the dude in your avie ain't shaven or waxed in the chest.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Think I saw a documentary where some pros were saying the reason to shave your legs is not so much for the minuscule time advantage, but because it's easier to scrub the dirt out when you crash. (Which will inevitably happen.)

Not saying it's right or wrong, but will try to remember the name of that documentary...

 

[jmdirt]

I don't know if everyone gets the same adds or if they are targeted, but the banner on my screen is for Harry's Razors...kind of fitting for this thread. I actually tried Harry's and the shave wasn't as good as my Gillette.

ebandit, while I agree that Gillette and others charge too much, I have found the shave to be better than others. Obviously I'm having trouble spending the money that's why I'm looking for an alternative.

Disposables are the worst of the bread for the environment because you throw away the entire thing when you are done.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Re:

Disposables are the worst of the bread for the environment because you throw away the entire thing when you are done.

You are absolutely correct, and I hang my head in shame for using them.

My dad had this razor once where I only had to replace the blade once it was blunt- I loved it! (Think it might have been a Gillette.)

Still, I WILL insist on a decent shaving gel/foam!

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Right - Naturally I'm talking about this kind of razor, and this kind of blade.

(If you don't know how to work these, or have never seen them before, please don't use them until you've consulted with a professional. They are the bestest, though, IMO.)

 

[BigMac]

Aye, heard those are quite good.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Going back to the riding, crashing, shaving leg stuff...

It's extremely important for your medical team to know how bad the leg wound is once you've crashed. So...

It's better for you to shave your legs before the race rather than we having to figure it out and having to shave your legs afterwards. (Hon, we'll have to do it anyway.)

In my mind this makes sense, does it to you?

 

[BigMac]

Yes, there are many practical benefits and that's one of them. No tarmac or skin bits from abrasion stuck on hairs, no hairs obstructing the wound so you can take a better look at how bad it is. No need to make the med staff job more difficult. It must be a pain to clean a wound full of torn hairs sticked in blood and whatever other body fluids come out when we wreck ourselves. Not to mention this glue like transparent thing that appears around the wound crust, it can get messy with a forest there.

 

[Jspear]

Re:

Right - Naturally I'm talking about this kind of razor, and this kind of blade.

(If you don't know how to work these, or have never seen them before, please don't use them until you've consulted with a professional. They are the bestest, though, IMO.)

These are all I use....The Gilette heavy Super Speed (the one with the red tip). You can find them for under $30...it should last forever...they're from the 40's and 50's. The blades are extremely cheap. I love it.

 

[red_flanders]

Re:

Don't shave your legs. I was the only one on my team who never did. Didn't stop me from winning races.

When someone pointed out clean-shaven legs are 1% more aerodynamic, I'd say: "I'll train 1% harder then, thank you".

The only real advantage to shaving your legs is that you need far less massage oil, but unless you're getting a massage every day after your training ride it's really not worth the girly look.

I was "checking your (shaved) pecs" and was surprised by your comments.

 

[Archibald]

Re:

Yes, there are many practical benefits and that's one of them. No tarmac or skin bits from abrasion stuck on hairs, no hairs obstructing the wound so you can take a better look at how bad it is. No need to make the med staff job more difficult. It must be a pain to clean a wound full of torn hairs sticked in blood and whatever other body fluids come out when we wreck ourselves. Not to mention this glue like transparent thing that appears around the wound crust, it can get messy with a forest there.

from experience, it helps with the adhesive of the patches they use to cover the wounds too...
Burns n Plastics' nurses and docs that looked after me mentioned how much easier their job was due to there being no hair on my legs...

 

[CheckMyPecs]

Re: Re:

Most people don't do it for gains or whatever. It's just part of the culture. Depending on how much hair you have, unshaven legs with bib shorts can look odd. I've waxed a few times but I'm not hairy so I don't have to bother too much. That said, I'm never again shaving my legs. It takes too long and the smooth look lasts only a short time, not to mention I was always cutting myself and it hurts like hell the first days the hair is growing back.

And no way the dude in your avie ain't shaven or waxed in the chest.

Ah, but the decrease in manliness from chest shaving is more than balanced by the increased pec definition.

I never shave my legs because I think it gives you a girly look. Yes, you can call me shallow all you want.

Finally, about the cleaning up road rash argument, I don't really understand why spending half and hour every week shaving your legs properly would be preferable to spending an extra five minutes cleaning up your road rash on the rare occasion when you fall hard enough to warrant it.

 

[jmdirt]

A safety or straight razor would probably be best for value over the long haul, and they are less wasteful, but I could end up looking like I went through windshield. Rite Aid has a knock off of the Gillette Fusion for about a third of the cost. I'm tempted to try it and see if its close to as good.

I came to mountain biking from motocross, and didn't own a road bike for the first five years of my cycling life. In the late '80s/early '90s most of the pros and about half of the Experts had shaved legs. I raced my first year as a sport and the idea of shaving my legs never even crossed my mind. In my second year, first as an expert, the idea crossed my mind, but I didn't shave them. The opening race of my third year was the muddiest race I did in 25 years of racing. My legs were caked with cold sludge, but the shaved leg guys were much cleaner. That's what did it for me, I shaved my legs the next week. In the years of living out of my pick up trying to be a pro dirt racer, shaved legs made post race clean up a little bit easier. Plus, as someone already said, it is part of the culture, 'how can you be a serious cyclist with hairy legs'? RE: Time: I spent maybe 10 minutes a week shaving my legs, and if I was busy I might go two weeks without shaving (travel, work, train, eat, sleep...).

Funny: A friend of mine had a room mate who shaved his legs one day. When asked why he shaved his legs, he said that he was thinking about buying a bike.

 

[Pricey_sky]

I use the Gillette fusion razor, its the best one out there in my opinion even though blades can be a bit expensive. I use mine several times before chucking them away though.

I went through a stage of using the cheap, disposable razors but these just left me with irritation and rashes. No problems once I switched back to my Gillette.

 

[ferryman]

I had to ditch wet shaving during radiotherapy and had to go electric. Never looked back since! Quicker and a hell of a lot cheaper given the ridiculous cost of new blades and foam. Mach 3 though was my choice pre electric...still got a stash!!

 

[jmdirt]

Re:

I had to ditch wet shaving during radiotherapy and had to go electric. Never looked back since! Quicker and a hell of a lot cheaper given the ridiculous cost of new blades and foam. Mach 3 though was my choice pre electric...still got a stash!!

What is your favorite electric? My experience with electric wasn't great.

 

[Tricycle Rider]

Seeing as us ladies shave our legs so often (providing we shave in the first place)... with so much practice it takes me only about five minutes to shave mine. Don't know why it would take anyone half an hour, but I suppose it's because you lads are so much hairier.

PS - I re-use my disposables until they are dull, usually they last me several weeks. (But then I don't have to shave my face every day, so I'm sure that makes a difference.)

PPS - Think the name of the documentary where the pros talk about shaving their legs is called Hell on Wheels (2004). http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0411498/?ref_=ttfc_fc_tt

I've seen it probably twice or three times, if you don't mind watching the ghosts of the disreputable past (such as Kloeden, Voigt and Zabel), I think it's actually a pretty decent doc.

 

[ray j willings]

I use tweezers. it takes me half a day , I got nuffink else to do.