I feel like such a traitor.
 

I started doing my commute to work 3 weeks ago. Its 30 miles round-trip, and unfortunatly there's hills. I did it for the first week fixed, but then I put on a freewheel and a back brake because I kept having to ride my front brake down some of the hills because I couldn't keep the spin up. I'm riding 48/17, and If I go any bigger, I won't be able to make it "up" the hills. Anyway, I guess this is just a confession. I may start switching it up, and riding fixed at the beginning of the week, then cheat with a freewheel on friday (Freewheel Friday?)

http://antirobot.com/images/coaster.jpg
http://antirobot.com/images/brakes.jpg
http://antirobot.com/images/freewheel.jpg

commuting is commuting. no matter what ratio you run, those hills will get easier every week.

30 miles with hills? Get a 7 speed internal hub or a derailer. Jeeze already.

at least you're still on bike.

sharp looking bike:) could use another link in the chain, no? Can you just take the descents more slowly and resist, rather than riding the brake to moderate your speed? It's tough to go slow... no doubt.

Gunnar Streetdog?

There's nothing wrong with freewheels.

There, there. It'll be alright.

I say take off the freewheel and put some pegs on the rear. Or just hold your legs out when going down the hill. Be sure to yell wweeeeeeeee as you do it. ;)

pegs would also call for shocks. lucky!

Then take it off some sweet jumps.

Seriously though, you guys are silly. 30 miles on hills, and he feels bad for coasting. You are clearly a glutton for punishment! Get thee a flipflop with a freewheel on one side, and swap for your commute. Or get one of those sweet 7 speed hubs like kurremkarm said.

peace,
sam

I wouldn't say I'm a glutton for punishment. That's why I switched to a freewheel. I just had to get my switch back to a freewheel (only on my commuter) off my chest. There'd been a few other threads about flip-flop hubs, and wondering if anyone flips them. Well, I did. I guess I could have just posted under that thread. Oh well.

I do about 32 roundtrip with a bunch of hills too. They get better. I went from trying to spin everything out (42x17) to keeping my speed down on all of the descents. I'm much happier controlling my speed at ~120 rpm (or less) than risking catastrophe at 170+rpm. I still have two steep spots in my commute that I have to use my front brake, otherwise I'd get hit by a truck and end up in a river every day.