3 ms·

If you read the article you'll see that the aerodynamic gain of shaving your legs is actually quite large, surprisingly so.

fbdab103 3y ago
>If the data were correct, Thomas could save 70 seconds for every 24.6 miles (or 40 kilometers, a standard time trial distance) he rode on the bike. Consider me less than impressed. At elite competition levels where winners are determined by <s>doping/transfusion</s> hard work and micro-optimizations, sure. Mortals can worry about anything else. Edit: According to this random site (https://cyclinglevel.com/cycling-times/40k-times https://cyclinglevel.com/cycling-times/40k-times), an elite rider can complete a 40k in 75 minutes. A 70 second reduction would be a savings of ~1.5%. Meanwhile, an intermediate rider should expect to run the same course in 88 minutes (~17% worse than the elite with hairy legs).
- recursive 3y ago
  A minute over 40k is absolutely huge. This site is... not right. I've done a 40km TT in just under an hour and I'm no pro. Pro times are maybe low 50s.
- Lukas_Skywalker 3y ago
  It‘s more likely about 2.6%, since elite riders would ride 40k in about 45‘ in reality (Tour de France riders have an average speed of up to 54kph during time trials).
NoPicklez 3y ago
Yes, in a standard time trial race. In the tour de france this year there is only 1 individual time trial of 21 stages. Otherwise most of the riders will rotate through the peloton (group). Don't get me wrong aerodynamics is important and yes it is of most importance during a time trial, but that's about it. Otherwise they wouldn't shave their legs all year round. There are many other reasons why professional cyclists shave their legs that are just as important. I don't think the increase is surprising at all, it's been known for a long time. Cycling teams have been using wind tunnels for over a decade to improve aerodynamics, all the way down to the difference between tucking and untucking their jersey on warmer stages, head tilt, compression socks, wheels, elbow angle. Shaving legs only seems to be talked about so much because its a main talking point between cyclists and non-cyclists.

fbdab103 3y ago

>If the data were correct, Thomas could save 70 seconds for every 24.6 miles (or 40 kilometers, a standard time trial distance) he rode on the bike. Consider me less than impressed. At elite competition levels where winners are determined by <s>doping/transfusion</s> hard work and micro-optimizations, sure. Mortals can worry about anything else. Edit: According to this random site (https://cyclinglevel.com/cycling-times/40k-times https://cyclinglevel.com/cycling-times/40k-times), an elite rider can complete a 40k in 75 minutes. A 70 second reduction would be a savings of ~1.5%. Meanwhile, an intermediate rider should expect to run the same course in 88 minutes (~17% worse than the elite with hairy legs).

recursive 3y ago
A minute over 40k is absolutely huge. This site is... not right. I've done a 40km TT in just under an hour and I'm no pro. Pro times are maybe low 50s.
Lukas_Skywalker 3y ago
It‘s more likely about 2.6%, since elite riders would ride 40k in about 45‘ in reality (Tour de France riders have an average speed of up to 54kph during time trials).

NoPicklez 3y ago

Yes, in a standard time trial race. In the tour de france this year there is only 1 individual time trial of 21 stages. Otherwise most of the riders will rotate through the peloton (group). Don't get me wrong aerodynamics is important and yes it is of most importance during a time trial, but that's about it. Otherwise they wouldn't shave their legs all year round. There are many other reasons why professional cyclists shave their legs that are just as important. I don't think the increase is surprising at all, it's been known for a long time. Cycling teams have been using wind tunnels for over a decade to improve aerodynamics, all the way down to the difference between tucking and untucking their jersey on warmer stages, head tilt, compression socks, wheels, elbow angle. Shaving legs only seems to be talked about so much because its a main talking point between cyclists and non-cyclists.