probably a "dumb" response but I have had 7 beers in me tongiht. I ride a fixed gear w/ a front brake---if that is considered "nonstandard." Even w/ the brake, riding fixed gear has taught me to be more attentive to my surroundings----to constantly calculate stopping distance and look for "escape paths." Wheras before I would just ride w/ my my head in the clouds, now even on a "pleasure ride" I am much more conscious of my surroundings, whether it be terrain, motor vehciles, or pedestrians. One of the things I truly enjoy about riding fixed is that I don;t have to worry about changing gears and wondering if I am in the "right" gear-- I just go where I need to go and ride how I need to ride.