GT4, YOU ride fixed because you think it's cool and all the 'important' people will think your some sort of wunderbloke. Not everyone is that shallow. As explained above, fixed gear bikes offer advantages to bikes with freewheels and within their limits, can be more efficient. Strangely, some of us enjoy riding these bikes outside those limits. If you had the skills to understand what I and others are talking about, you wouldn't be stupid enough to post this insulting thread (yes sunshine, you're the one who started getting personal and nasty, right back at post 1). So rather than worrying about whether the lace on your knickers matches your bar tape, get out and ride your bike, however you want to set it up, learn some strength, endurance and skill, then try to investigate and understand what other riders are talking about.