Since moving to a more countryfied(sic) setting after early retirement and concentrating on riding every day I can, I have chosen to ride fixed gear bikes exclusively and it has been the biggest fun quotient experience that I have ever had with a bicycle. I am absolutely stoked every time I ride now. Before when I rode a combo of multi and sometimes fixed I found my mind wandering sometimes and less than complete enjoyment of the multi riding experience. The fixed is a challenge and an integrated with the road feeling that only comes to those that do it. Multi makes you constantly think (am I in the right gear, what is that clicking noise, is it the rear der or is it the front der, should I shift up now or wait till I get on the hill) I think you all know what I mean. With fixed you are constantly aware of your surroundings as they will directly affect your progress. (I better stand up and start peddling now in order to surmount that hill, I think I'll go down this road and go around so as to avoid that damn hill that I can never seem to crest while still riding the bike, got to work on my climbing strengths). You are in touch with the road you ride; not dependent on gear changes to help you out. Just you and your personal abilities. That's what it means to me. I find as the summer season progresses the cog size in the rear gets smaller and the chain ring size in the front gets bigger. That is the only gear changing that I allow myself.

Fixedgearhead