Cycling’s Weird Obsession with Shaved Legs Explained episode artwork

EPISODE · Jul 18, 2025 · 14 MIN

Cycling’s Weird Obsession with Shaved Legs Explained

from The Roadman Cycling Podcast · host Anthony Walsh

Why do cyclists shave their legs? For decades, we’ve been told it’s for speed — Specialized even claimed it saves 79 seconds over 40km. But what if that science is flawed? In this video, we dig into the real reasons behind cycling’s most iconic (and weirdest) ritual — from old-school tradition to group ride psychology. With insights from wind tunnel studies, Olympic bike designers, and pro riders like Alex Howes and Primož Roglič, we uncover why smooth legs became the ultimate badge of belonging in the peloton. It’s about more than watts — it’s about identity, trust, and culture. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should shave, this is the deep dive you didn’t know you needed.Surfshark - Online security starts with a VPN and I trust Surfshark. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://surfshark.com/roadman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code roadman at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN.NOMIO is clinically proven to:Lower lactate levels, Reduce oxidative stress, Improve training adaptations And deliver a noticeable boost from the very first dose. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.drinknomio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out this game changing supplement. 4iiiiReady to elevate your cycling game? Trust the 4iiii PRECISION 3+ Powermeter—precision, performance, and peace of mind, all in one.Learn more by visiting http://www.4iiii.comBIKMO Whether it’s theft, damage, crashes, racing or travel, Bikmo’s got your back. Their in-house claims team makes the process fast and painless, and here’s the kicker — with 50% off multi-bike cover, you can protect all your bikes, and even your family’s or mates’ bikes, under one simple policy.Make sure you’re covered - check the details in your policy docs. T&Cs apply.Head over to https://bikmo.com/uk/ and use the code ROADMAN to get covered & save money.REAPCustom Carbon Composition Bikes made in the UK. REAP's gravel bike is set to redefine gravel riding with 50mm+ tyre clearance https://reapbikes.com/

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jul 18, 2025

Why do cyclists shave their legs? For decades, we’ve been told it’s for speed — Specialized even claimed it saves 79 seconds over 40km. But what if that science is flawed? In this video, we dig into the real reasons behind cycling’s most iconic (and weirdest) ritual — from old-school tradition to group ride psychology. With insights from wind tunnel studies, Olympic bike designers, and pro riders like Alex Howes and Primož Roglič, we uncover why smooth legs became the ultimate badge of belonging in the peloton. It’s about more than watts — it’s about identity, trust, and culture. If you’ve ever wondered whether you should shave, this is the deep dive you didn’t know you needed.Surfshark - Online security starts with a VPN and I trust Surfshark. Go to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ https://surfshark.com/roadman⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use code roadman at checkout to get 4 extra months of Surfshark VPN.NOMIO is clinically proven to:Lower lactate levels, Reduce oxidative stress, Improve training adaptations And deliver a noticeable boost from the very first dose. Go to ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.drinknomio.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and check out this game changing supplement. 4iiiiReady to elevate your cycling game? Trust the 4iiii PRECISION 3+ Powermeter—precision, performance, and peace of mind, all in one.Learn more by visiting http://www.4iiii.comBIKMO Whether it’s theft, damage, crashes, racing or travel, Bikmo’s got your back. Their in-house claims team makes the process fast and painless, and here’s the kicker — with 50% off multi-bike cover, you can protect all your bikes, and even your family’s or mates’ bikes, under one simple policy.Make sure you’re covered - check the details in your policy docs. T&Cs apply.Head over to https://bikmo.com/uk/ and use the code ROADMAN to get covered & save money.REAPCustom Carbon Composition Bikes made in the UK. REAP's gravel bike is set to redefine gravel riding with 50mm+ tyre clearance https://reapbikes.com/

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Cycling’s Weird Obsession with Shaved Legs Explained

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This episode was published on July 18, 2025.

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Why do cyclists shave their legs? For decades, we’ve been told it’s for speed — Specialized even claimed it saves 79 seconds over 40km. But what if that science is flawed? In this video, we dig into the real reasons behind cycling’s most iconic (and...

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