My point about fixies was not really aimed at the terrain but the speciality of these bikes and the availability on e bay compared to other bikes. Especially when all he wants is a steed for a short trip to work.
It is like looking on e bay for a whippet and then deciding you want a 3 legged whippet with green and white stripes. It cuts the field down a bit.
Then you realise that e bay does not sell pets.
It is all so confusing.
A bog standard bike would be good enough methinks.
Steve