single speed bike conversion

Ever since I read that they were cool a couple of years ago, I have really wanted a single speed road bike. (NY cycle couriers have them). I had no idea why they were cool or better (low maintenance?!?), but I still wanted one. Yes, shallow.

So when my bike deraileur broke and I thought I would repair it as single speed, I found this how-to-convert-your bike-to-single-speed website:

"If you're riding for sheer pleasure... you may care more about the
actual experience of riding your bike [than the performance]. In this case, you may be a
candidate for a singlespeed bike.

Riding a singlespeed can help bring back the unfettered joy you
experienced riding your bike as a child. You don't realize how much
mental energy you devote to shifting until you relinquish your
derailers, and discover that a whole corner of your brain that was
formerly wondering when to shift is now free to enjoy your surroundings
and sensations."

a single speed back wheel. no gears.

What a nice thought. No wonder simple products like iPod shuffle do so well - it's a bit lame, but then the lack of choice frees your mind to just dig what you're doing. I am going to look for more opportunities to remove slightly unnecessary choices from my life.