Originally Posted by
wolfchild
You have 30+ years of experience in cycling and you don't see much difference between riding FG and freewheel ??
...You definetly sound like someone who doesn't have a lot of experience riding FG in a fast and aggressive way. Foot retention makes it a lot easier to control a FG bike, it makes it easier to backpedal and stop. If your foot slips off while cruising at 20+ MPH or sprinting at 30+ MPH while the pedals are spinning then you're in big trouble.
The same argument could be made for a freewheeling bike. If your foot slips off at 20, 30 or 40 mph or while sprinting...usually done out of saddle..., you are probably in big trouble.
And, no there isn't that much difference between fixed gear and freewheel bikes. Backpedaling to stop may look cool but it's just a skid which is dumb no matter what kind of bike you ride. I also see lots and lots of fixie riders who aren't using toe clips around here. I don't think they are too bright but it can be done.