iv recently just went this way ,,the bike i got was a cheap one with a flip flop hub which iv got on the freewheel just now ,,its geared at 44*18 and 44*16 on fixed and on the flat id say my top speed is similiar ,,its obv a bit harder to push from a standing start but once yr rolling its very good ,,bloody hard work on the hills though,,iv had to get off and push a couple of times already !!!i just need to mtfu and get better ,,im not convinced fixed is for me as pedal strike and overall bike control has to b quite high id imagine ,,on my commute il stick to freewheel but i may try fixed if i get a bit more confident ,,with regard to ss it feels a lot smoother and the ease of maitenance appeals ,,i mean its really basic but in a good way ,,as re extra tools i just carry one extra spanner to get the wheels off,,no biggie ,,im a convert (to ss so far lol

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