Just curious, what makes you guys and gals ride singlespeed and or fixed gear?

The reason I started riding single speed: because it was cheaper than geared bikes. I also like the cleaner look because they are more simple. The reason I switch from ss to fixed: I wanted a change and everyone says it's such a good experience riding fixed. And it's true I love it.

Also, riding single speed and fixed has strengthened my legs a lot. I'm a fit guy and I work out upper and lower body, but nothing got my legs bigger and more toned than riding my ss and fg.

It was the best bike on Craigslist for the price.

That being said, I'd have it no other way now that I am riding ss. It's simple, there is no need to think or judge terrain, if you want to go faster you spin faster and if you want to go up a hill you push harder.

Mostly because I hate working on derailleurs. Having ss/fg allows me to easily do all my maintenance myself.

It's the only bike I own. It's also fun.

Heard so much about the "zen" thing I just had to try it... I totally get the feeling of total control over the bike now and am in love with fixed gear.

For me, the initial attraction was low maintenance. I was tired of having my multi-speed bikes making clicking/clacking sounds and chains getting stuck between gears. I'm mechanically inept, so it would always mean a trip down to the bike shop to repair it or I would have to live with it. Now that I've been riding a single speed I like the workout my legs get.

i like the feel

i leik beiks

I tried it, I liked it, I kept doing it.

Rode nothing but BMX up to and including college. SS is all I knew and I know I like it. When the time came to get a bike again, it was a no-brainer.

I like get a new rear tire every two weeks and run red lights.

Yup, derailleurs are the worst. Plus, it's fun to ride fixed.

I started riding SS because I was looking for an inexpensive steel bike and I live in a mostly flat area (also derailleurs are annoying.) Riding fixed wasn't intentional, I figured I might as well try it out since there was already a fixed cog on the bike. Once I tried it I was hooked.

cheap, not too heavy, looks nice, easy to maintain, but i have to admit i miss having gears at time. maybe a cyclocross for me if this doesn't work out after 1k miles

In addition to some of the reasons already mentioned, I ride fixed for the reaction form my non-biking friends.

Tradition.
My 1st coach had us convert to FG for winter training on the road >40 years ago, kept at it ever since.

-Bandera

I like the simplicity and feel. It's also made me more efficient with my pedal strokes.

I got tired of other people banging up my derailleurs in racks.

Peer pressure.

the voices in my head.

It's the hip thing to do.

Me too, although you failed to point out that we rode much lower gearing back then, typically low 60s, unlike the macho fixters of today.

Also, I raced track, which of course mandated riding a fg track bike w/o brakes.

Only recently have I gotten into riding a fg regularly on the road with higher gearing.

Today, I put in 20 moderately hilly miles on my Wabi Scandium Lightning, which like most modern fg bikes is designed specifically for road use.