So I commuted on my MTB instead of my Fixed gear. Big difference. It was easier getting up the hills and all but it just felt that I wasn’t going that fast( I was averaging 7-8 mph and on my fixed gear I average 10 mph). When I tried to stand up and petal it felt really weird because I didn’t have the much resistance so on the down/upward movements it was really easy but then I would just stop and it wouldn’t complete the circle. I guess I really like that part with the fixed gear is that you are forced to maintain your circular motion. I kind of wish I could have that forced circular motion with the ability of free costing down some of the hills. Anyway it was a good ride in and I just had to share it with someone.

i rode my pista as a single speed last week for 10 minutes or so, before i sold it. i came to realize that i cant ride a bike that i can coast on anymore, it just feels too wierd

Yeah I'm going to go for a mtb ride tomorrow and make sure that I can still handle riding it there, I'm going to be really sad if I feel the same way. I spent $2,000 on it and it would just crush me to come to the realization that I like my $16 fixed gear more.

i got nothin against them, i just dont own a bike that has more than one gear or coasts, so i seem to have forgotten how to ride them.

i was fun to try though, i felt really off balance

There is plenty of room for polyamory with bikes. I have a racing bike that I love, but it isn't racing season... a rain bike/commuter that I threw a rear deraileur on now that I've relocated to a very hilly (mountainous, in my estimation) and my fixed gear. I will probably buy a mtn bike as soon as I can, since it is so popular around here. I may neglect a bike from time to time, but I will always come back to it. Loving riding fixed does not necessitate hating any other type of riding.

7-8mph vs. 10 mph?

That's pretty slow.

Thats not that slow if there are hills. It sounds like a nice relaxed pace and if hes going to work i doubt he wants to work up a sweat before he gets there.

Not a lot of downhills, or is he counting only the uphill speed?

Yup ... that sounds like "I dont want to be sweaty when I get to work" cruising speed.

It is walking speed... or riding in loose sand...

thats the speed of going up hill and its about 6 miles of up hill and 2-3 miles of down hill and a mile of flat ... or there about

If you can walk at 8-10 mph, you would be an olympic level speedwalker. 10mph is faster than most people can run.