Originally Posted by bibliobob

Well, merits of ss/fg aside, the motivation for 95% of them to ride ss/fg is fashion. These kids were raised on crappy mt. bikes, so they're pleased as punch to ride a poor man's ss varsinental (spray paint whether it needs it or not, remove derailleurs, shifters and, most importantly, the rear brake to show that you have street cred. Leave freewheel on and cut chain accordingly. Raise seat ridiculously high, angle seat stupidly downward, lower stem all the way, and cut bars so that they're six inches wide).