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Old 03-22-2014, 04:38 PM   #1 (permalink)
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Hairy or smooth

I plan to do some record setting bike riding this year and as age is catching up with me, I need every advantage. I pose this question: Since my legs are not even close to the template shape, do I leave them unshaven to produce a boundry layer or shave them in hopes that they will be a smaller object moving thru the air?

I know the difference is small but riding over 24hours it should be of some cumulative benefit.

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Old 03-22-2014, 05:20 PM   #2 (permalink)
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I opened this thread with mild concern...

What do the pro's do? Why do they do it?
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Old 03-22-2014, 05:28 PM   #3 (permalink)
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"In terms of actual aerodynamics [not much]. But I know that if I ever looked down while I was on the bike and saw hairy legs I immediately felt slower." —Tour de France stage winner Davis Phinney

and some more takes on it
http://www.bicycling.com/training-nu...ave-their-legs
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Old 03-22-2014, 11:29 PM   #4 (permalink)
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Dimples
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Old 03-23-2014, 01:17 AM   #5 (permalink)
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Quote:
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Dimples
In that case, shave them! Oh, for the love of Macgyver, please oh please shave them!
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Old 03-23-2014, 08:09 AM   #6 (permalink)
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I'm pretty sure the only reason pro's started shaving was to keep hair out of scabs after the innevitable crashes.
Aero wise the effect is minascule. Looks wise, when I raced, my legs were sexy as hell either way.
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Old 03-23-2014, 08:20 AM   #7 (permalink)
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Keep the hair: use "product" to form it into trip strips at just the right point, based on prevailing wind vectors...
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Old 03-23-2014, 12:07 PM   #8 (permalink)
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I like the gel idea!

I've raced for years and only shaved my legs once. Didn't care for the look.
I am a massage therapist, hairy legs don't matter for that.
In 30 years of racing I've only crashed and scabbed up my legs once.

I really was wondering about the hair creating a boundary layer for a minuscule advantage. And mostly for fun
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Old 03-23-2014, 09:24 PM   #9 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
Keep the hair: use "product" to form it into trip strips at just the right point, based on prevailing wind vectors...

that's FUNNY!!!
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ECO MODS PERFORMED:
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http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...e-10912-2.html

Third: Full underbelly pan
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...q45-11402.html

Fourth: rear skirts and 30.4mpg on trip!
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...tml#post247938
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Old 03-23-2014, 09:58 PM   #10 (permalink)
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG View Post
Keep the hair: use "product" to form it into trip strips at just the right point, based on prevailing wind vectors...
Just think of the waxed hairs as being micro vortex generators (wink,wink)!

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