An overdue word of thanks from California. I took delivery on a King of Mercia in May. The bicycle is magnificent. I asked a lot of you and your staff. I'm tall and the bike fits my 6-foot-4 frame perfectly. It does everything I've asked of it, from fast rides in the country to short tours to commuting and running errands.

The Italians used to say that the right bike "disappears" beneath the rider. This one does. It just goes where I point it. It's also beautiful, attracting comments wherever I go. Last week at our local farmers' market, one passerby asked to photograph it. I've ridden seriously for more than 30 years, and my bicycles are part of my daily life. I have never, ever, ridden a frame that compares favorably to yours.