Ted Ernst, Ken Sanford, and others have made some important points that I'd like to summarize as follows: 1) non-destructive use of a road bike with fixed gear (a) has a long tradition, and (b) doesn't hurt anything. 2) There's something to be said for road geometry for riding on the road, and maybe even for starting with a frame that is drilled for brakes.
I commuted for a couple of years on my Ted Williams all-531 frameset as fixed gear, and it was great for the purpose. With those 18" chainstays, my feet never hit the pannier. The build quality discouraged theft - that bike was so ugly nobody wanted it (There's a fixed conversion like my old (crashed)one for sale locally on Craigslist, has been for a long time, and probably will be at $300). When I got hit head on by another rider, buckling the tubes, I started riding my Raleigh Competition as a fixed gear bike (Thanks, Ken Sanford). Another sweet ride for commuting. Just relaxed enough to be pleasant. At one point, I commuted on a Geminiani track bike, but decided that life was too short for its 2 cm of toe interference - w/o toe clips or fenders. I had one tight U-turn too many for that bike on my commute.
So, I get unhappy when folks cut off derailleur hangers and cable stops and such, but I see no reason to moan and groan about road bikes as fixed gear. Do no harm, and ride as much as possible, eh?
harvey sachs mcLean va.
Ted Ernst wrote: I agree with Tom on this one but wouldn't put it so philosophically. I be polite in my phrasing so it will be informarive rather than punitive. Many riders for many decades have not had the luxury of two or more bicycles and were lucky to even have a spare set of wheels. Many of these racers for generations have realized the value of fixed gear training in the off season of road riding. When the season ended, the derailleurs came off, cluster removed, a fixed cog put on, a BB lockring maybe put on for cog unwind safety, but not really necessary when good and tight and hand brakes on bike, and out they went for winter training along with other off-season sports activity to balance body back into good overall form for thr next year/season of cycling activity. This was the norm for many throughout the years and it was smart riding and tres cool, fenders and all. No one is saying to grind off shift bosses, chop off derailleur hangars, or saw off brake cable stops. It all goes back as original veddy-veddy easily. For many, riding road geometry bikes on road is more relaxed and comfy with a fixed gear, toe overlap may be less or non-existant, and position easier to set-up. So, relax boys, ride your bikes down to the beach, have a nice glass of wine and enjoy the sights.