Livre d'Or

I have a Ridgeback Comet bike (I don't think they make that precise model anymore), which cost around £300 and it's the damn nicest bike I've ever ridden. It's a hybrid (equally light and sturdy) and I love it to bits. (Did I say it's great?)


I'll umpteenth the call for a helmet: I've come off this bike once (chain slipped off and instead of getting lots of traction the pedal slid through, and moments later I hit the ground); I've almost come off when getting too close to a minute edge in the pavement that aligned perfectly with my wheel.

My advice on bikes it to try out every style and every size until you find one that fits you like a glove - I've had lots of people trying to sell me bikes that are too small (I ride a 21' frame; people have tried to flog me 18' and even a 16'. AAARGH.) The right frame size makes a lot of difference.

Personally, my experience with trying to find a good second-hand bike were abysmal: you're better off buying last years (or the year before's) model than a bike that might have been kept outside, ridden up and down kerbs, or otherwise abused.