Originally Posted by noisebeam
Is there really that big a difference? Maybe in terms of abuse they can take as in banging up derailers when locked up, etc. But I don't find there to be much in they way of maintenance for a derailer, some fine adjustment once in a while, just like watching tire pressure and an overhaul every year or two.
Fixies can really wear out BB and rear hub bearings as well as they get more abuse than on a freewheel bike.
Al
Having commuted through the winter on a geared bike, I can definitely tell you that you are over-simplifying. Sand and salt wreak havoc on derailleurs and brake pads. I was going through almost a full set of brake pads per month through the winter. And fine adjustment doesn't begin to describe what you have to do to the drive train. Every single time you ride in winter, (above 20 degrees anyway) your entire drive train will get coated in a nice slush/sand/salt cocktail. Throroughly cleaning it every day would take prohibitively long. Most people end up applying liberal amounts of lube and hoping for the best. Then overhaul it when the snow melts. If I have to commute through winter again, I may use a fixed/ss.