Fixed Gear for a petite

[Trek420]

Where'd I put the thread about the Motobecane Mixte frame I found in the trash?

Oh well, this'll do. I'm talking to my LBS about turning a 70's early 80's Motobecane Mixte into a fixed gear.

gotta question for you gals. I guess there's a choice of turning into a fixed gear, a single speed freewheel or now with a new 2-sided Surly hub where you just flip the rear wheel over....both!

Since the odds are that I would rarely do that (flip the wheel over) what's the difference training and or ride-wise between a freewheel and a fixed gear?

[Eden]

On a fixie you can't coast * no matter what * so you must pedal even down hills - with a freewheel you would still be able to coast.
Also I think to be street legal a fixie only needs a front brake as back pressure will act as a rear brake- (Note I've never ridden a fixed gear so this is second hand info) I'm thinking that this is a move one might want to practice. With a freewheel you would still need and want both brakes, otherwise you could endo - ouch!

[Trek420]

Eden and all,

maybe I did not phrase the question correctly that is, I understand the difference between the two but is one "better" than the other? And *yes* it'll have brakes for sure!