Let's see, at the moment, my brakes need maintenance, my chain needs maintenance, my tyres need maintenance, I also keep an watching brief on pedals, headset, bearings of all sorts, bar tape, etc. The choice to ride fixed is not, in my case anyway, anything to do with a 'lack of maintenance'? If it was, I'd be smarter getting a Nexus hub. No, riding fixed for me is all about the way it rides, the control it gives me and the more varied skill set required (compared to something with a freewheel). If it wasn't for that, I would have simply kept the Europa as my fixed bike and asked Paul Hillbrick to build me a geared bike to replace my current one. I'm not one of those who sees gears as somehow excluded from fixed gear - the S3X combines the two and if there's something else out there, I'd be happy to hear about it.

Hmm, that bottom bracket gadget with two gears that you change by whacking a knob with your heel springs to mind. Anyone know anything about them? Like their name?