Even though the fixed gear trend is raging in vancouver, I don’t see it as a practical choice, or a safe choice when it comes to our weather or our hills, no matter how fun it is to ride. Also, the hills are not excessive to the point that I require a gear system, in which case I can do away with the added weight and/or maintenance of a derailleur or internal hub.

A single-speed freewheel is all I need, and the freewheel allows me to focus more on other obstacles like vehicles rather than my pedaling technique when going down hills.