I bought one of those single speed MadWagon bikes with the balloon tires at a dept sports store. Total cost about $90. The first thing I did was overhaul the rear hub because it sounded more like sandpaper rubbing together. Then I took this single speed out on the hills in the neighborhood. This is the funnest bike i've ever ridden. Our neighborhood has many short steep hills. These were not fun on most of the good bikes i've used on them, but this single speed is a blast. I run up hills just for fun. Nothing like a single speed to feel like a kid again. These bikes are very low quality and have a reasonable light weight. This is a just a beater to park at the local burger joint or xmart. I wouldn't recommend them to anyone who can't make adjustments on their bikes. They're more fun than a movie and should last longer. I haven't given up my good bike but this one is funner and builds legs better.

Does it have a freewheel or is it fixed gear?

Fixed gear is even more fun (apparantly)

Stew

Amen to that.

Freewheel

I've been so busy working and riding no time left for bikeforums

Okay, I for one will attest to fixed being "fun" it is, it is a blast, and it has put a kick into my riding. It is that simple, but there is no way it is more fun to go down hill on a fixie. I've done it two different ways, taking feet off pedals compleately, which gives one a really strange riding position, or try and control descent by standing on the brake and the pedals. It's work!

I have heard of BMX pegs beign attatched to the trak hub instead of nuts, so going down hill you have a place to put your feet and let the pedals fly. I don't think that works on road/track though.

I enjoy my fixie. I have commuted 20 miles a day on my fixie for the past two weeks. It is a blast.

I have a 35-40mph hill at the end of my driveway, would it be safe on a fixed?

Yes, if -
A) The gear is a 53X11 (good luck getting back up the hill)
B) You can spin at over 200 rpm
C) The bike has a front brake - and you use it.

I say pedal until your legs can not go any faster... then stick them out... Like when you were a kid.
I am sure nothing bad could come from this

Do you guys who go feet-off on downhill kamakazis
stop at the bottom to re-clip ??

only once have I eve taen my feet out. scary experience, not doing that again. just learn to control your speed.