Originally Posted by
BigAura
Fixed is the simplest mechanically. I do agree coaster brakes make braking easier on steep descents. For me the simplicity extends to the one-to-one connection of your legs to the road. One revolution of your legs is always the same distance traveled.
Single speed coaster also makes possible coasting downhill, as well as riding downhill at any speed without spinning legs around like crazy as well as taking tight turns at speed without worrying about pedals hitting the ground. Trying to keep speed down to avoid the issues created by the fixed gear does not sound like simplifying riding to me.
Personally I cannot figure out the importance or significance of the one-to-one connection of your legs to the road. Is it part of man-machine synergy thing I've been hearing so much about?