Brilliant, thanks for the advice - I tried a few (the local proper bike shop let me have test rides) and found the Legend just felt too "sit up and beg" and, well, old if you know what I mean. I also appreciate the point about suspension, I can see it might help proper mtb-ers but I don't think I'd benefit from it.

In the end I went for a Claude Butler Urban 200. No suspension, mudguards or rack but gears, wheels etc seem good quality and it seems well put together. Riding back from the shop along the canal toepaths was ace, why did I leave this so long?!