Style is subjective, except it's not. But it really is.
It's not just speed, and it's not just tricks, or riding the unrideable. But at the same time, it's more than just throwing whips and doing good tables. It's as difficult to define as it is fun to argue about. So we polled the office and some pro riders, and came up with a list. I'm sure we've missed a few stylecats, and I'm sure you'll let us know.
This is a "most stylish of all time" poll, so let's judge the older riders as they were in their prime, and give them a few extra points for innovation.
Thomas Vanderham, whip legend
Brendan Fairclough with pure freeracer style
Kade Edwards is ridiculous
Jasper Penton is the king of Instagram edits
Brandon Semenuk, like a scalpel on a bike
Sam Blenkinsop with one of the most stylish race runs ever
'Other' - @rockyj
Be honest its gotta be more than the current upvote!
Phil doesn't win it, but he needs to be on the list.
The results did not disappoint
I think the only rider who comes close to Semenuk is Danny Macaskill, who else can get millions of YouTube views per edit?
Semenuk
Jasper Penton
Phil Atwill
Fairclough
Flow, speed & style... this is the dream team
Aside from him, Cedric Gracia has effortless style that many can’t pull off.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6yx6I3e4XU
Also, not sure that anyone else survived such a gnarly injury and returned to racing, let alone at the top like Cullinan.
Finally, who else on this list taught Duff from Guns 'n' Roses how to ride?
Case closed.
Evidence:
dirtmountainbike.com/features/mountain-bike-photos/dave-cullinans-jump-victory-moment-time.html
i.imgur.com/tD052.jpg
scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com/vp/f8d1144eabf3d15581823679b01238b9/5D8685B1/t51.2885-15/e35/26303451_1856425034648582_9041386752035520512_n.jpg?_nc_ht=scontent-atl3-1.cdninstagram.com
p.vitalmtb.com/photos/users/109/slideshows/2856/original_Screen%20shot%202011-10-11%20at%202.00.05%20PM.png?1318366835
Oh...and for reference, Voreis on 2 footed seat manual on FADE TO BLACK:
youtu.be/qbBUmI6PEHY
If trials isn't stylish for someone is a completely different story.
This is the most stylish man to have ever picked up a bike.
youtu.be/2cRLxp-9fVQ
Both amazing riders and totally different types of riders, but Danny has a crazy smooth style, where Chris is more about brute and ability. Danny caresses his bike and Chris abuses his bike.
Because MacAskill is so unique that no one even rides the same things he does, his style can't be measured in a poll like this in my opinion. If I visualize Semenuk and Fairclough ripping down a trail, I can easily pit them together while MacAskill is in the field next to them, rolling down on a bale of hay.
I really was hoping for Rick Astley.
@brianpark : "Hold my soy latte....."
True!
@mikelevy: hold my donut....."
But the one I really miss not being in the spotlight anymore is Martin Söderström. Anything I see him do on a bike looks good to me. Single trick or whole run.
Also, sped up insta videos are definitely NOT stylish.
Söderström was the only guy who could give Semenuk a run for his money style-wise (and often trick-wise) during their slopestyle battles, and he still makes everything look amazing
Like you said modern bikes (and trails!) make it a LOT easier to get loose and look stylish. It wasn't that way when we didn't know any better.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=wTiO1ew-Kug
It appears only the last few years have made up the annuls or all time. I must have dreamed all or existence pre 2000...
Someone kick me for not mentioning the 1, the only, 'Missile' Giove.
Maybe not best ever. Hard not to vote Lacondeguy or Semenuk or such... but love JKW's skills on the trail bike.
m.pinkbike.com/photo/16096105
Did I make any comment about my own riding? No.
And if you're trying to imply that my opinion isn't valid because I'm personally not a top level rider, then consider this:
Are the opinions of music critics/food critics/anyone else irrelevent because they aren't personally skilled in those areas? No.
Also, it's beside the point, but that is a pretty old picture and not a reflection of my current riding ability.
PS: www.pinkbike.com/video/475206
Pretty good skids them
The dude has an incredibly rare style of riding with many foward-rear body shifts, fantastic boosting, complete body turning that has been at photografers attention ever since he joined the EWS.
Most riders on the list might hace sick scrubs and flow on paved trails, but trying to ride jank with Flo’s rythem is damn near impossible. Add line choice to part of a riders’ style, he many times finds gaps, corners and different combination of trail features that not only look great but are so much faster. He’s been a top 10 rider for a good while now and alot of it is because of how differently he expresses his riding.
But to be fair semenuk invented style - reeder has spent the last several years catching up while Semenuk is out willing rally races.
Phil Atwill is looking super sick these days
McGazza!
A little surprised Kelly Mcgarry hasn't been mentioned (or maybe I missed it?).
For me, "style" isn't just about technical ability, it's also about "steaze".
Kirt Voreis also rolls that 24/7/365
If DH had a jury component you would see more style there as well.
The bonus for us is he is still making content!
Would there even be 'edits' and every other kind of MTB video today if not for the early pioneers?
Prime example of how “Born to be Wild” as the ultimate mismatch to your riding being meticulously planned and captured can ruin it all.
Who would have thought?
Palmer was the same way...nothing exciting to the eye, but faster than a cobra.
DH Racers: Sam Blenkinsop, Sam Hill, Connor Fearon
Slopestyle/Freeride: Brandon Semenuk, Remy Metailler
Instagram edit guys: Bernard Kerr, Jasper Penton, Kaos & Kade
Female: Veronique Sandler
And a few other ppl that I can't think of rn
I mean i don't think that Blenki,Brendog, Ratboy or Nico Vink etc, are less stylish than Semeunuk, simply he's stylish whatever moves he's doing
In the end we live in beatiful times for mtb
www.malcolmfearon.com/m/media/61f7f4e3-41c7-4276-b71a-3d77235a197a-shaun-palmer-big-bear-usa-diesel-downhill-world-cup-1999-awar
That is all.
On this list there are two who BLOW away Rat without even trying: Semenuk and Soederstrom.
Not on the list there are others who also give Rat a run for the money: Reynolds, Fredriksson, Fedko etc.
Yes,, yes I think I do. Let's use the term Steeze: the quality of being effortlessly stylish. That simply screams Semenuk and Soederstrom.
Roosting berms and tossing yourself of a hill is cool and all, but if that's your definition of Style it's rather limited.
No , you have trouble reading. I know perfectly well what style is, as is mirrored in the vote.
second place equally: martin soderstrom, blenki, danny hart, brendog, emil johanssen, vanderham, wade simmonds, jasper penton, kade edwards, aggy, ollie jones, bernard kerr, sam hill, ryan howard, kyle strait, myles rockwell, tomas lemoine, nico vink, bas von steezbergen, tommy g
all different yet all amazing
Did note vote, because is to tricky to pick the right person...
Garcia, Semenuk, Fairclough, Blenkinsop, Vanderham, etc... so many people with rad style... is way to difficult for me
To me, stylish means a top five downhiller that makes it look easy. It was between Dani Hart and Loic...
Loic.
Johnny T (For his time)
Fast - Yes
Style - No
Jason McRoy end of
Steve Peat is a close second
What a question.
It’s either Semenuk, Bryceland or Vandersteeze
I should be able to vote all three from different groups.
Not saying he doesn't deserve it, but the big name recognition bias is very present here.
I don´t know, too many superstylers to pick one
www.pinkbike.com/news/david-lieb-making-moves.html
BENEKE
KING
MILES
GIOVE
>McROY on list
PISTOL PETE
Etc
www.facebook.com/RedBullBike/videos/how-did-he-do-that-aaron-gwin-scrub/288850528374335
youtu.be/bzQvEv3tVdw
Where’s Brett Rheeder?
In this poll they are more looking at Steeze and that's where Sam and Peat just don't really fit... it's anything but "effortless".