fixed = zen

single speed = no zen

riding fixed for faster training or strength building makes no sense to me. I can push myself harder on my geared bike by optimizing the gear ratio i'm in.

freewheel:
pro: coasting
con: coasting

fixed:
pro: no coasting
con: no coasting

that's it

https://www.bikeforums.net/showthread...e+single+speed for reference...

I could push myself harder on my geared bike but I don't. For those of us who just want to ride bikes instead of training, fixed can give the side benefit of forcing us to work harder/get stronger.

the more I think about it the more that actually makes sense

Singlespeed, easier to bunny hop/take the scenic route. I literally stopped riding fixed once I started riding back. Now I'm all singlespeed and loving it. If I was just riding on the road and only had to content with curbs/streetcar tracks I might still ride fixed.

The fixed gear bike and the single speed bike are similar when it comes to short rides around the city or neighbourhood. The single gear bikes are mainly used for a simple, regular ride.
Fixed gear bikes are not the best if you are looking for an average riding experience. These are used by stuntmen and people looking for ideal workouts.
The kind of bike you pick will be based on your riding preferences.

I love the simplicity of my singlespeed, but, I don't like they way the cranks feel without the derailleur. Each stroke feels individual, rather than the continuous feel of a geared bike. I'm in the process if converting it to a fixie to see if that feels better.

Fixed gear don't really have disadvantages but if you must compare it with one another .....

-Fixed can't take fast corner as coasting bike, you can't go in hard like geared/coasting bike
-Fixed go with gear you choose all the time, this mean you either take hill slower (too tall gear, heavy pedal) or descent slower (too fast pedaling)
-Fixed risk pedaling strikes but this is rare, I never pedal strikes yet

I like tanks and coaster brakes.

Coaster = automatic transmission
Fixed = manual transmission

Take your choice.

I am an aging non-athlete. I do 90% of my riding on a fixed gear. If I tried to analyze, it would have something to do with connection to the bike, but why overthink? The fixed gear just feels right.

I admit that I don't feel any connection to the bike either way, no Zen, so my preference is more rational. There's not much to analyze though. Mechanically simpler, you can brake with pedal pressure, no freewheel noise. Possible pedal strike on turns, braking downhill, your legs never stop to rest. That's all there is to it: weigh one against the other.

I had thought that the freewheel functionality would be more important to me, but after trying both it turns out that it's not.

If you're going to run a freewheel and brakes might as well add some gears while you're at it IMO.

"When asked "What is Zen?" the master sometimes answers "Zen" and sometimes "Not-Zen".

-Daisetz T. Suzuki

So Zen riding = flip-flop wheel?

A monk asked Rinzai "How deep is the river of Zen?"
Rinzai replied "Find out for yourself" and offered to throw the questioner from the bridge.

-D.T Suzuki

Which accounts for what you do "If you meet the Buddha on the road ...", preventing that sort of thing.

You can get a coaster brake with a 2-speed kickback, you realize...

You ask him to please get out of the road. He's gonna get hit by a car.

But DatZen Saves.

Yeah, but does a track bike have Buddha nature?

What is the sound of no gears?

Fixed gear is quiet!!!!!

a loud freewheel is better than a bell. (sometimes)

because I ride freewheel, The SS advantage for me, is moving to a road bike frame with eccentric BB, vertical drop outs, QR, and unlimited wheel choices. or cyclocross frame. I also ride rural though, that plays an impact on my ride choices.

Don't you mean: "What is the sound of a single speed shifting?"