Get creative with bike design

The way I see it, there are broadly two types of bicycles. Those that are used as a mode of transport and those that are fashion statements.

Take a look at the bikes in your nearest bike shed, you'll spot the ones I mean.

There are some bikes that are covered in rust and stickers. They've generally had multiple owners and none of the parts came with the bike when it was made. The frames are often older than the riders themselves. The riders of these bikes don't care about looking cool. For them, cycling is about transport. Getting from A to B. I have one of these bikes myself.

Then there's the other type. The bikes that you secretly envy. The bikes that make their riders look effortlessly cool. The bikes with a paint job that makes people stop and stare. The type of bikes you never see in your local bike shop.

In Bristol we do have a very fine bike manufacturer specialising in custom paint jobs, namely Argos Cycles, but the makers of Ridley bikes have gone one better. Their website is now offering its customers the freedom to explore their creative side and dabble with artistic flair via the 'customizer' function - www.ridley-bikes.com/customizer. Our garish effort is shown on the right. Can you come up with a better one? Upload it here...

The customised paint job is only available on Ridley's carbon bikes so it'll cost a small fortune. However, you could always design your own paint job and take your design to your local bike re-sprayer.

What's the coolest bike you've spotted? Seen one on youtube? Post the link below.