Kukonaya, it’s worth pointing out, if just for context, this forum and its associated namesake magazine, is biased towards riders that are more interested in riding, than what bike they are riding.(and yes, I’m generalizing here). So I’m not surprised that the response has been mostly incredulous.
Coolness and style are not something that comes up on group MTB rides that I’m aware off anyway, with the following exceptions:
1. Getting your shorts caught on your saddle, ripping it wide open far from home: Not cool.
2. Having your mates piss take because of it: Cool
3. Repairing said shorts with tape and zip-ties: Cool
4. Wearing same shorts for the next 5 rides: Not cool
5. Wearing shorts that allow Surrey mud down your crackhole: Not cool
6. Watching part time riders turn up on BSO’s wearing jeans: Not cool
7. Trying to look cool: Not cool.
Coolest guy I ever saw was a 60+ year old guy drop me for dust on a climb in wales, on his old rusty hybrid, on his way home from work, in overalls and workshoes. Coolest dude. Ever.