i'm acquainted with several people with several bikes, all of which are SS or FG. they'd all tell you that you don't need gears, but i believe that everyone has different needs. if you go to the grocery store or the laundromat on a bicycle with panniers, you'll probably want some gears---that's why i have my mtn bike. you'd also want some gears, i'd wager, if you're on a loaded tour, or if physical limitations necessitate gears (eg, bad knees). not everyone needs gears, and i rarely do. I'll tell ya what, though--when i ride trails these days, i shift to a grannied out gear when i get to the park, and i stay in that gear til i'm headed home. shifting on trails is something i'll never be likely to master, and being in too high of a gear has screwed me innumerable times.

-rob