I have to say I didn't "get it" either. I got a great curb find frame when the college let out that didn't have working shifters or derailleurs and was missing the rear wheel. I traded a decent pair of brake levers from a totaled bike for a flip-flop wheelset (fixed on one side, freewheel on the other side if the hub) It was supposed to have a freewheel, but when I got it, it didn't. I decided to give it a shot running fixed and it's just plain fun! I've logged twice as many miles on that as any of my other freewheeling bikes combined. It's just a different frame of mind and a different kind of bike... kind of like my roadie buddies couldn't imagine riding a relaxed geometry frame with fat tires and 3 speeds until they try it and love it.