Coming to London, borrow, rent, buy a bike?

If all else fails: http://www.onyourbike.com/stylesheet.asp?file=6_1_1_about_our_cycle_hire

Not cheap, but the bikes will be nicer to ride than the hire scheme bikes and significantly better looked after, if my experience of the hire bikes is anything to go by.

+1

I have hired from them before and the bike was good, as was their service.