Originally Posted by
mdilthey
Two tours under my belt on a singlespeed. More to come this summer. I love it.
There's a simplicity to it that goes beyond the lack of maintenance (although, that is a big perk). It forces you to coast when you're going downhill, relaxing your legs and your attitude. It forces you to push yourself on hills, making the "worst" part of riding into a fun and exciting challenge. And, it lets you focus more on the ride and less on the bike. Pedal, occasionally brake, nothing else.
I love it. I may go back to gears again, but not on all my bikes - I have a feeling there will always be a singlespeed in my stable.
I don't think hills are the worst part of riding, with proper gearing. In fact, hills make the view more interesting, and are perhaps one of the best parts of riding. The worst part is traffic, and nothing changes that except the route. Weather comes in a close second. On a single speed bike, I would be walking far more often than preferred.