Originally Posted by HereNT
You don't want to start the slide back to coasting - next thing you know you'll be putting on deraillers and brakes, and that would just be wrong...
I don't know about that. I built up a six-speed for longer rides/ days when I feel lazy, and I just hated it. Too complicated, too many annoying clicking sounds, no pretty chainline, etc. So I busted the six-speed down to a singlespeed and I'm happy. It'll never supplant the fixed gear, but it's nice enough to ride that if I want to take the fixie out of commission for a few days for upgrades and parts swaps, I still enjoy riding. Also, when it's punishingly cold, as it has been in Boston of late, I can slack a little some days, which is helpful.
So all I'm saying is, a freewheel need not be a terrible slippery slope.