I use my fixed wheel bike for utility, I can't justify dumping a ton of cash into a flashy bike that is just going to get thrashed/left outside. Looking into a mountain bike that will cost at least 3-4x as much as my "budget" fixed gear for trail riding and some rec-intermediate level racing. It will be babied, washed/serviced, and stored indoors after every ride. It is hard to do that when it is 0F out and your bike is covered in sand/salt/snow at 2am... Plus, I ride a lot more because I can leave my bike wherever I go and not sit and worry (as much) about it getting jacked...