Well, I guess I've come full circle. I'm 56, expecting my first grandchild any hour, and bought a track bike yesterday. The last track bike I owned was an old Frejus, which I gave up in about 1968. I've been missing that bike for the last couple of years, and got a great deal on a brand new Fuji Track from 2001. It has a flip flop hub, so I installed a SS freewheel (16 tooth) and flipped the wheel for now, also installed a Soma front brake. Otherwise the bike is pristine, and has been sitting in the basement of my LBS for 10 years. It is geared pretty high for an old man, but I rode it all afternoon without incident, approximately 30 miles. I can't wait to get back on the road this morning. Once I get used to running such a high gear, I'll flip the wheel over to fixed side and see how it goes. I ride alot, so I don't think it will cause problems, but figured it would be safer to ease myself into the fixed gear. I never rode a track bike that would coast and had a brake on it before, it is quite fun- and considerably safer than my old one, which was a full-blown track bike. I will likely upgrade the seat, cranks and pedals over the winter, but it isn't too bad as it sits. It's the first "new" bike I've ever had.