i road a steel single speed and upgraded this last year to an 18 speed road bike. to be honest its six and one half dozen. i do miss the simplicity of the single speed and considering that most of my commute(12 miles each way) is flat i don't accomplish it much faster. the ups to my road bike is choices. if i want to take my time on hill with out having to stand twist and burn, then i can. and if i want to go as fast as humanly possible downhill, then i can. it's just up to you. ss or fg: simplicity. geared: choices.