Back in the day I had a brief (summer) fling with single speed. I set it up with a 66" inch gear on the advice of a local guru (Thomas Avena). I was about as fit as I ever was and sometimes it was frustrating not to have something bigger but truthfully it was a good thing sometimes that I had that 66" gear. Still, it must be said... if ss/fg was such a great idea, doya's really think all that moolah would be plowed into shifting systems? My commute folders have 7 and 9 speeds respectively and I use every damn one during the trip. Could I complete the trip entirely in a 66" gear? Probably, but it wouldn't be nearly as pleasant and there is one spot that I know I would have to walk up. I have a 70's era Schwinn World Tourist with this funky front freewheel system and 10 speeds that I picked up at a rummage sale. It had drop bars but I have changed it to North Road bars. It shifts extremely well so I am reluctant to mess with the drivetrain but it isn't compatible with anything coming out of Japan these days. I'd never think of making an SS out of it, modern drivetrain components could bring that bike forward 40 years for about that many dollars.

H