I have a flip\flop also, and have never used it. I've had the bike about 2 months. I've been doing most the club rides and training on it and haven't even thought about flipping it to the 17t freewheel. I run 48x16 fixed. Probably a little over 1000 miles so far. I can't see using it. I do like the sound of fixing the free side maybe a 15t.