Originally Posted by
Elkhound
Depending on where one lives, one may have little choice in the matter. I live in West Virginia, which is called "the Mountain State" for good reason.
So to go from one end of town to the other, would you have to ride over a mountain?
I'm also in a mountainous state. I ride a fixed gear, an 8spd internal hub, and a 'modern' racing drivetrain. They all work.
You need to use the right tool for the job. If you are not up to a commute over the Himalayas on your 3spd, you need another tool.