Shaved Legs vs. Hairy Legs - Wind tunnel reveals all!

Do shaved legs really make a difference? We did a bunch of aero tests, and the results were pretty mind-blowing!
Here's what we tested:
Hairy Legs 🦵
Shaved Legs ✂️
Shaved Legs with Calf Sleeves 🧦
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Video by Talbot Cox
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[@davisbest]

Oddly, I've been looking for about 13 watts on my day to day walking efficiency. Shaved immediately and can confirm that I reached my coffee pickup in .02 seconds faster.

[@felixberezhnoy]

Rofl

[@davidburch3863]

The practical benefits are infinite.

[@888jucu]

That could be the difference between getting the last vanilla slice or not☝️

[@downivorylane]

You're missing the other half of the equation, you need to walk up to ~40km/h to really feel the gains of shaving. Then, you will experience the true time savings

[@Nairezs]

Should've wore the calve sleeves with hairy legs as well

[@rememberyourlight816]

This is the test I really need

[@wujekg]

my first thought exactly, when he got off the bike for the first time and shave. guy from the wind tunnel should think bout that - shows you level of "scientificness" of this crew...

[@dh5686]

5!!! More like 2or3 out of 10 on chewbacca scale 😂

[@jeinhorn87]

Yea totally... I think high level cyclists and swimmers are heavily biased since they're frequently surrounded by shaved legs/bodies

[@lekobiashvili945]

Yep! It that was 5, then I should be 12🤣

[@edgarbran9822]

Yeah... That's terrible news for me. If he saved 10 watts @40km/h being a 2 or 3, and I'm twice as hairy, that's an instant 5% gain for me. I guess I'll have to try!

[@jackholloway272]

@@edgarbran9822 I know the feeling, i reckon im three times as hairy, if i shaved i might not even need to peddle anymore haha

[@michaelrogge9934]

Also think about the difference in a non-wetsuit swim. As far as I know, all Olympic male swimmers will be shaved down. My old swim coach used to use the analogy of dragging a branch with leaves thru a stream vs with the leaves removed.

[@m4ximusprim3]

this is the funniest part to me. The resistance compounds with the density of the fluid, and to be real he's objectively one of the slowest swimmers amongst the guys he routinely finishes among,.It's framed as a bike decision, but he'll gain so much more in the water than on the bike by shaving for any swims which aren't full suit. It's crazy to me that he wasn't before.

[@oliverleibbrandt8067]

Just Frodo sitting in on a wind tunnel session , just another day in the office

[@alexgrenke5513]

Frodo consulting on shave vs keep growing aspect:) hilarious

[@megmikerodriguez6011]

And the apology to Erin....priceless! 🙏💗👊

[@kleinbuks]

The faster you go the greater the effect. I’m never holding 45km/h. Be great to repeat test at 30 and 35km/h

[@choanlpoto]

40kmh with his cda is only 180w. If you can’t hold 180w go train harder before thinking marginal gains.

[@kleinbuks]

Apparently you need 228 W at a CdA of 0.212 to travel 40 km/h. You need 313 W to go at 45km/ h which was the test speed. To reach those numbers I will have to go train harder.

[@opliko]

@@choanlpoto Don't be an elitist jerk. That is a crazy fast speed. I've been cycling going on 4 years minus the winters because of seasonal affective disorder, and my avg speed has never gone over 17mph/27kmh, but normally I'm more around 13mph/21kmh. Breaking 20mph/32kmh is a huge achievement

[@theblackfluid]

Imagine going 30 km/h and getting 15 km/h headwinds. Should have the same effect.

[@choanlpoto]

@@opliko I don't talk about speed but power. 180w is not a high power for any cyclist. And from his chart. With a good bike position you can hold 40kph with 180w

[@runbikerun8189]

I was always under the impression the legs were shaved just in case of a crash, no hair to trap dirt and gravel in an open wound...Regardless, as a man of extremes I "undoubtedly" expect Lionel to shave his head and eye-brows before Mt. Tremblant!

[@obsidianclorox]

That is another reason why people shave legs! You're not completely wrong, it's also easier to treat your wounds if there's no hair all over the place

[@whirving]

For me, a mountain bike racer on the West coast USA it was for wound care and poison oak treatment. Also it was easier to keep cool, I'm half hobbit. Never shaved my arms though.

[@jonathanechevers6265]

Yeah, that's complete bs. When you hit the pavement you're gonna get dirt in your scrapes no matter what.

[@obsidianclorox]

@@jonathanechevers6265 Well, true but it's gonna be less dirt

[@whirving]

@@jonathanechevers6265 for me it just made it easier to clean the wounds and poison oak rash, also made it easier to see them. I started regularly shaving my legs after I found an abscess on my leg from an infected poison oak blister that I never noticed because of the hair on my legs. That was when I was mostly mountain bike racing and doing a lot of road riding and racing for training so it made sense at the time.

[@user-sh6su9rp4v]

Brilliant Study! Well prepared and thought through with a control and comparison in a stable environment! Weldone Lionel!

[@roryschmidt5776]

One thing is it's not blind. The subject could definitely be subconsciously in a more aerodynamic position because they shaved. Kinda hard to correct for that sadly

[@leegmann2282]

I immediately shaved my arms and legs after watching this video! 😆

[@L-dw5sx]

I’m now hairless from the eyebrows down 👍

[@jparticle182]

😂

[@jokuheppu3920]

I don't think it matters that much when you're going 20 kmh.

[@L-dw5sx]

@@jokuheppu3920 no one goes 20kph even age groupers ride at 30-35 on the flats

[@seanvonlost]

But do you even have a race?

[@Hubertus-ko6yl]

superbe vid thx Lionel.The results are impressive! - good luck this season and further.

[@MikeCx2]

Great vid… thanks for sharing the data!

[@1bojanbojan]

Great video as usual

[@rskng]

I was seriously thinking that Lionel, by now in his career, has already figured out what most amateurs know, but it turns out he still has stuff to discover. My god.

[@bobbyiv9335]

Yeah honestly seems so weird that he thought it wouldn’t be faster.

[@philipk4475]

Doesn't strike me as the sharpest knife in the drawer, to be honest. The results must be more dramatic for the swim

[@benjaminwilson9193]

@@philipk4475 Problem with the swim data is how much a wetsuit or swim skin affects that - similar to the above comment, what is the effect on cycling with unshaved legs but aero socks? For swimming, does being shaved make a difference when wearing a wetsuit or other covering?

[@hernanhernandez3861]

I also believe that the shaved surfaces helps in heat dissipation. Also easier to apply sun screen in a more even, thinner application. I've been shaving since my racing days in the 1990s. I can tell the heat difference after only 2 weeks of growth.

[@billymans2259]

Love that Jan is with you !!! So excited for U LS! PLEASE LISTEN to JAN !!!❤

[@messi9991]

Great video!

[@pjbeattie1]

Haha!!!!! Love it!! Go Lionel!!!!

[@yesitis1395]

Went ahead and shaved my back and satchel just in case. Scheduled velodrome for Monday.

[@Raceeverything]

competing at your level you need to be doing EVERYTHING!

[@bryanlittle494]

Jan cameo! See you in Tremblant Lionel!

[@utuber221]

I thought they removed the full...is he doing the 1/2?

[@Anders11J]

Good to see Jan in this :)

[@nimbra2]

Wait what? When?

[@iamtheonenonly250]

@@nimbra2all the time, e.g. 0:50

[@nimbra2]

@@iamtheonenonly250 he’s every freaking where 🐐

[@Ninjump]

That tunnel is beautiful , wow

[@bratb6191]

Glad you found some more free speed. Quick question. How about changing out the Bonts to the Velovetta's or Giro Empires with laces (but with elastic lace replacements)?

[@RealGood10]

Ill just train more, thank you very much 😀

[@sambrown1779]

This search for aero is fantastic...but did you test a rear wheel for Kona??

[@akdrn3624]

So funny and entertaining 😂

[@log_it8282]

Should've tested the mullet in between!!!

[@JanGoh-jb5ge]

Good to have a follow-up to the old Specialized test. Reproducible results!

[@DavidFritzIII]

I'm hoping they do zero cause I don't really want to walk around with these on, great quote on calf sleeves!

[@tasdrouille]

Welcome to the shaved drone club Lionel -Sam

[@JohnStadnyk]

I would imagine the effects would be even more pronounced on the swim given the density of the medium you're moving through, though the speed is obviously slower.

[@joshuafoulds8107]

I absolutely shaved for my last triathlon because of this wind test video

[@2Calam]

Must have been a very quick turnaround between video and your event

[@joshuafoulds8107]

@@2Calam haha it was his first aero testing video a few weeks ago

[@cyclingcolumbus]

@@joshuafoulds8107 What do you mean it was uploaded 4 days ago??!! Are you a time traveller? 🤣

[@joshuafoulds8107]

@@cyclingcolumbus no, shaved arms and legs just made me that fast!

[@cyclingcolumbus]

@@joshuafoulds8107 Aha! Had he already mentioned it in one of his vlogs? Congrats for your triathlon!

[@rubenvf9772]

Welcome to the shaved side of the world Lionel.

[@szymonmodelski149]

Lionel, do the same test with swimming! I did a test myself recently. On an easy swim (2min/100m) I literally shaved 4 sec per 100m by just shaving legs. Arms could shave another second I think. With your swim speed the effect could be more pronounced. More of a fun staff as you will be shaving from now on anyway😬

[@bighammer3464]

I thought this was universal knowledge 😂 Lionel was behind the ball on this one

[@adamgurule1458]

I have never shaved my legs, I think it's for Sissy's but now I might try it, instead of pushing 300w, I can ride at 285 making riding fast easier. Only on race days though. Thanks homie!

[@jonathan9506]

I was with The Aerow yesterday and can highly recommend these guys. What an invest in facilities and technology for bike fitting and wind tunnel. Without a sponsor it can be expensive :-)

[@socopower]

Missed the trick of shaving legs then test them shaving arms test again, to see difference between a full shave and just legs :) nicely done anyway

[@danielmaclachlan5123]

Check out the video on the big shoe test .. the Bonts tested slowest

[@bobfoster687]

How does 13 watts feel? Get on the indoor trainer. Set ERG mode to a specific value. Pedal at that effort for a while. Without stopping, add 13 watts to the ERG mode. How’s it feel?

[@carolannlussenden6156]

Mama’s always right!! 😊

[@magnusmalmborn8665]

Some sport (ice skating?) use skinsuites with raised stitches to lower drag, by causing turbulence that help close the airstream behind (the golf ball effect). By that reasoning the optimum should be a strip of stubble down the outside of the legs...

[@cwd3bon]

Any weighting of shaving only legs vs arms & legs?

[@SimoneChiaretta]

Would have the calf sleeves alone on top of unshaven legs bring the same benefit?

[@sytsedijkstra]

What kind of rear seat single bottle holder is that?! Ps cool video!

[@SamuelBlackMetalRider]

Bro’s toying with us with his Ben & Jerry’s Ice cream pot … like I train so much I can indulge real bad 😂

[@davidhadenham1983]

Shaved being faster has been known for decades! Like actually known not kinda sort of.

[@philipk4475]

Yeah it's astonishing a "top pro" such as sanders doesn't do this. It would be like insisting the aero bars do nothing, or refusing to wear a skinsuit or aero helmet because "it looks dorky"

[@charles-olivierandre4905]

Is the graphic at 8:04 with all the modifications or just the shaved legs?

[@ironman140.6]

NO LIMITS new title - THE HARD WAY -

[@biobauer8]

is there also the calculation that you gain watts by having hair if youre getting pushed by the wind?

[@christiangro8621]

Cmon cycling industry - give us aero covers for the whoop straps!

[@arthurogervais]

Haha, ditching the sugary ice-cream may also safe 13 watts.

[@maxw5229]

But is hair supporting cooling of the body core temp?

[@caolanhogeweide6555]

I want to know if shaving other body parts makes a difference.

[@joemoya9743]

Some tests have shown that hair stubble and not slick and clean shaven was even more aero.

[@CC-sj8hd]

Can we get a toenail maintenance video??

[@bonn1771]

good video

[@SofiaPolyakova-pc6co]

Guys, you're rock! Your calf sleeves look so stylish. Recently I got mine too. Absolutely essential for any sportsman I think.

[@h20s8804]

I've never shaved arms... Legs always tho, but not really for aero. I always did it bc it just feels clean, and it is way easier to get clean after mtb rides, or certainly if I (god forbid) crash and have some road rash.

[@tjulian110]

I know you are sponsored by whoop but they do have the option to pit the sensor in the pants right? Wonder if that would affect your cda significally.

[@BigBeezyBtown]

It does make putting sunscreen on easier

[@DCassidy42]

What about facial hair?

[@robertroguszczak6401]

Was that Jan... there ?

[@abbaethon]

Don't forget the moustache, gentlemen

[@theincredibledeus]

I am so happy for you Lionel to find those gains and make u a faster triathlet!!! However, I am wondering why u didn‘t do such an analytical approach earlier? Don‘t get me wrong….but as a pro athlete u HAVE to do such stuff all the time. I think this approach also made Jan Frodeno the god that he was….he did not left any stone untouched.

[@ZenEndurance]

This just isn’t some stone. This is a huge factor and been known literally for decades. Just… so… wtf.

[@Southerncyclist]

Every year about May, i shave my arms and legs. I can tell without a wind tunnel lol. I'm probably level 8 chuboka so its probably worth more than 13 watts for myself.

[@musify8267]

Should be nice to see a lawn mower 5.0 ad pop up in this video 😂😂

[@Robizzle01]

What road speed was being simulated? I’d love to hear the watts saved at 15, 30, and 45kph. Also, if slightly hairy arms and legs represent a 13 watt opportunity, what about different jersey materials and fit (skin tight vs relaxed)? Surely my torso contributes far more to wind resistance, right?

[@tomkunich9401]

I got a severe concussion and it took 2 years before I found a neurologist that understood how to treat this type of concussion. With proper medication it was like waking up. Though I seemed OK most of the time I would get a seizure at inappropriate times (generally when I was alone) and it would wipe my memory. After treatment, I started riding again and soon discovered that I was about a 9 on the Chewbaka scale. When I shaved the hair off of my legs, I was literally amazed at the difference in speed, especially into a headwind. While I don't think that hair on your arms would make much difference, it you're racing you absolutely have to shave your legs.

[@user-qx4bp5rf3n]

Hair on arms will make a big but reduced difference. The reason it is less is simply because legs are bigger. The arms are further forward, though, so they may have proportionally greater downstream effects with more hair.

[@martintjader6154]

Took Lionel 2 weeks to finaly decide if it is worth it 🤣

[@scottblack8735]

Jan!

[@RandyRules]

Great! Now do a video on which is faster - waxing vs shaving 😂

[@AaronPortman-vv5mb]

can someone help me understand the data? If i already race with calf sleeves, does that mean its still worth it because of the arms a little bit of the legs? Unsure if it's worth trying lol

[@liranlahavTRI]

Someone know why Jan be there?

[@manikantavoruganti5222]

How is the front wheel spinning?

[@batbawls]

Can anyone tell me the wheel brand? thanks in advance

[@sicknorenson]

I felt that when he said “I hope this doesn’t make me faster, I don’t want to wear these” all the crazy stuff people wear nowadays even just to a group ride feels like overkill. I heard it’s fastest to have REALLY long leg and arm hair so I’ll keep going for that 😂

[@deltacx1059]

Ever consider a faring and solid front wheel? You guys are already way on the extreme end so you might as well.

[@dropatrain]

Why not test calf sleeves on unshaved legs so I don't have to shave them?

[@justsumtriduuude]

You should be wearing the Zoot Yo Yo Yo aero sleeves 😂

[@FootyMcKurfs]

I want to see the test for Whoop strap vs no Whoop.

[@wimvdputte]

The best part of this video was the last 30 sec. "You were right, D" 🤣🤣🤣. BTW, this year I'm 40 years into triathlon and I shave my legs every... every race, 40y long (and I'm still an average dude) 🤣🤣

[@Ivan_Nano]

You could’ve just watched GTN’s video on this!

[@MasterAssassin123]

asking the real questions

[@TyTy22_]

Would have liked to see the difference between just shaving legs and both arms/legs

[@eitanshushu]

w are always right, no matter what the issue is 😂

[@ericbergstrom1]

That’s crazy. That’s definitely the difference between placing and not

[@tonyjames5444]

In my test I shaved my left arm and leg, marginally quicker but I spent the day going around in circles.

[@MsTatakai]

still not convinced ... will keep them

[@geoffbadger9597]

The End. Haha. It’s hard for me to believe as well that it makes such a difference, but if it does it’s more than just a marginal gain for you. Great video Lionel and it looks like you have an awesome team around you.

[@scottwhitten2016]

Can you test a Venus vs. a full Brazilian?

[@jconnormcnabb]

But what’s the aero penalty for a mustache???

[@williammartin9450]

Seems obvious if it's a handlebar moustache!?

[@timetraveller7294]

now its getting interesting

[@henrikh484]

13watts crazy gain, won’t be that much in a bunch but in a solo break all in, it will matter, as in TT of course 🎉

[@matthewjam3s]

Can’t put a price on calf aesthetics when shaved. Worth every odd glance from my wife.

[@BamBamSamification]

Shaved Lion…pretty scary menace 😂😂😂😂

[@jigglypuff4227]

Okay, I will start and shave my legs and arms too now.

[@kmac720]

I think Specialized had it at 15 watts for legs at 25mph.

[@lisagreenberg5020]

Shaving also if for if you have a bike accident and easier to treat the skin with shaved legs and arms