I posted what I thought were the practical differences on page-1.

But I too struggle with explaining the riding differences and others do as well - this leads to hokey explaination and theories. (most of my explaining is not here on forum, but when folks I ride with ask why, where I usually just say I like it, thats all)

I switch seamlessly between riding fixed or freewheel, but do notice the difference in how I feel when riding. I do like fixed better - none of the explainations I've read nail that reason why though, either they have flawed reasonsing/physics (i.e. conserving momentum) or can be countered with the same possibility on the other type of bike (control)

I rode over 5000mi fixed, then was recently 'forced' to ride my freewheel bike again and thought about it while 'adjusting.' First the frame/geometry/setup differences are hard to ignore - very hard. Then it was just getting a re-feel for different, ways of speed control, coasting, braking, pushing hard, vs. shifting, etc. After a week I no longer even felt different - but my first days on freewheel I noted the coast vs. pedal to maintain steady pace or adjust pace in paceline and not slowing as fast when thinking about slowing. But after the switch I liked it and didn't miss the fixed as I did in the first transition days.

What I really feel for me (for me, varies with user) is the difference is pushing mentally vs. physical. I think I am weaker mentally than physically. This makes freewheel (and mulitigear) bike not as good choice for me - I need the simplicity of having to push harder to go faster and the inability to 'ease off' and coast or switch to a lower gear.

Soon after 500mi or so I enjoyed riding the freewheel so much I got to the point I thought maybe I won't care to switch back to fixed. I thought maybe it time is over for me.

Then today I rode my fixed to work and it all came back to me. I loved it!

Al