03-22-2014, 05:38 PM
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#1 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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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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03-22-2014, 06:20 PM
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#2 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
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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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03-22-2014, 06:28 PM
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#3 (permalink)
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The Dirty330 Modder
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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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"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing."
- Henry Ford
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03-23-2014, 12:29 AM
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#4 (permalink)
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EcoModding Lurker
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Dimples
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03-23-2014, 02:17 AM
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#5 (permalink)
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Not Doug
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mista Bone
Dimples
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In that case, shave them! Oh, for the love of Macgyver, please oh please shave them! |
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03-23-2014, 09:09 AM
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#6 (permalink)
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one of thOOOse people
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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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03-23-2014, 09:20 AM
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#7 (permalink)
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Batman Junior
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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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The Following User Says Thank You to MetroMPG For This Useful Post:
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03-23-2014, 01:07 PM
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#8 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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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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03-23-2014, 10:24 PM
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#9 (permalink)
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Master EcoModder
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
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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03-23-2014, 10:58 PM
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#10 (permalink)
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...beats walking...
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MetroMPG
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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