The definitive OTP ( Off-The-Peg ) List (<£500 and <£1,000 sections)

The insurance company offered a new bike rather than the cash and I couldn't find the ridgeback anywhere in the 54, so I got a genesis day one delivered yesterday. Here's what I prefer on the genesis and what I miss from the ridegback, based on 6 weeks on the solo and 45 mins on the day one.

• feels like a more compact frame, easier to chuck around on the commute
  
• no toe overlap, and doesn't look like there will be even when I get mudguards fitted
  
• the drops feel shallower, and I can see me using them more than I did on the solo
  

• the mini-Vs feel more effective than the stock brakes and pads the solo came with

• I found the 42/18 gearing too low this morning, 48/18 on the solo felt right for london commuting.

• I'll have to swap the knobbly 35c tires for slicks, and get mudguards fitted. It has the mounts.

• it's bright yellow and people were looking at me.

So nothing negative that can't be fixed, and good work legal & general getting a new bike to me a week after the old one was nicked.