Three years ago I started out on a geared bike with a front suspension fork, the first thing I changed was the fork. Got rid of it and put a rigid on. This geared bike has now been retired and is my winter commuter and winter trail bike only. The only time I need gears is when the snow is deep. 99% of my riding both on road and offroad is done on singlespeed rigid and fixed gear. I will never go back to gears and suspension because I just don't like it. I can ride some very gnarly and technical singletrack on my singlespeed rigid. Some of the strongest and fastest riders I've seen riding singletrack were on singlespeeds. The extra challange and fun is well worth it, and no need to worry about ripping off those stupid deraileur hangers.