WTF. no track stands and you want to do tricks? Trackstands are pretty basic AND very useful.

And skidding with a single speed is... LOL

get FG

I will never get tired of that video.

mad brake modulation.

SS allows for you to coast, and therefore to rest whenever you feel tired.
FG will force you to always push the gearing, whether you're tired or not.

The intensity level of a FG and SS are the same when both parties are pedaling under the same gear inches, but I assume most people ride SS for the opportunity to coast.

Ultimately, when you compare the total work performed with a SS versus a FG, there is an obvious imbalance, no matter how small. However, as more and more mileage is completed, the actual value of the difference will be much greater, albeit proportion-wise, would be the same.

All this is, however, based on the assumption that other variables are unchanged, like distance, training, gear inches, etc...
In reality, you could have a SS rider with a higher gear inches, or who coasts much less than the average rider, or who trains/rides more, etc. However, these exceptions would be ineffective to compare just the mechanism of FG v SS.

Not to be a jackass, but what does "fast" bike mean?

SSK
you can get a fixed gear with a bmx freewhell on one side, and fixed cog on the other, so dont go nuts, but be prepared for some tough times in even moderate or rolling hills unless you have athletic exp with other cycling, or you are a runner or skate skier.
it really pays off to have a road bike for base miles and fitness, and the fixed gear as a secondary bike for the track or training. You can get accustomed to fixed gear riding, but you need some solid road or mtn bike miles first. If you can pick the terrain, you will definitely want the route as close to flat as possible, and start with a moderate gear like 42 or 44-16. Be ready for flats too. I run quick releases on my street fixed bike, with a ballsy Campagnlo QR on the back wheel, and clamped down TIGHT.
Good luck

100 gear inches on a Track bike? Thats a 52-14 with 700c wheels, which is what Eddy Merckx used for his awesome ride of 49.43 km at Mexico City , setting the bar high in the Prestigious World Hour record in 1972. That takes a really strong road racer to use that gear on the track in a pursuit, and is still way too high for most other events on the track.

Probably my favorite video ever.

old video, but somehow becomes new everytime i watch it.

ugh, you're reaching. I ride both btw and feel that ss feels more of a workout since there is no deadspot and I concentrate on spinning as much as possible, even on decents.

Riding fixed, you can let the pedals move your legs for you if you're tired and have a brake.

Holy ****ing ****

My same exact reaction when I saw it just now... and I'd already seen it once before.

SS is really only for dirt, that's why most BMX bikes are SS.
Fixed is really best for doing tricks, and maybe a little racing, but not really.

durable, versatile - Single Speed
fast- Fixed

pretty much the only difference is u can "coast" on a Single gear (the bike will move when u dont move the pedals)

Single Speeds tend to have thicker tires, and Frames.. so u can ride on bumps/ holes/ just generally rough terain. I live next to a board walk, and a Fixed Gear tire can get stuck in there

Fixed come with Track tires, super thing,

if you will only ride on Roads get a fixed, if u want a bike u can beat up a little w/o worrying about the wheels going out on you Single Speed

There are pros and cons to both and I prefer to run a double stepped hub so I can run fixed / fixed as it is always nice to have a few gear choices.

Descents on a fixed gear (at speed require some pretty mad skills but with practice, and a tall enough gear you can descend at close to 40 mph... this requires an 80 plus gearing and the ability to spin in excess of 160 rpm.

This will also limit to get up the other side unless you are a freak.

For commuting I'd look for a gearing in the low 70's for the fixed side and use the ss as a bailout and descending gear with a gearing in the mid 60's... running a tall gear into the wind for 10 or 20 miles sucks but something in the low 70's will let you attack moderate hills with relative ease.

I have tried to find some love for a fixed / ss combo but with the exception of my path bike prefer that my bikes that coast are also multi geared.

I know i was being sarcastic. But as I read this thread, I can't tell who is an idiot (IMO), and who is ALSO being sarcastic.