If you do the one gear thing, I'd suggest just a single-speed as fixies can be dangerous: get a pant cuff or shoelace caught and you and your bike might be riding under a car. Plus, fixies are dangerous drive trains to maintain *if* you have to adjust one. The tip of my right index finger was almost torn off because I wasn't paying enough attention while turning the cranks and cleaning the chain. Sure - call me stupid; I don't care. I'm just thankful to have the tip of my finger back.