What are the advantages/disadvantages of a fixie?

[Owlie]

I get the single-speed thing as an urban commuter or simply for fun and a nice challenge, and I'd get one if my knees would take it (I had my eye on the old version of the Charge Plug for the longest time). Fixie..., but then I'm a risk-averse klutz.

[colorisnt]

I get the single-speed thing as an urban commuter or simply for fun and a nice challenge, and I'd get one if my knees would take it (I had my eye on the old version of the Charge Plug for the longest time). Fixie..., but then I'm a risk-averse klutz.

I love old bikes and especially old steel roadies, so I can see the appeal for commuting in a flat place but here, the way people drive and the number of times I really HAVE needed brakes, I really couldn't see it. Back home where my parents live, it'd make more sense. But I'm also a klutz, so it's prolly a bad idea.