If I understand the situation correctly what's being called fixed here is actually two differences from the usual gearing. The first that the ratio between pedal and rear wheel is fixed (there is only one gear) and the second that the pedals and rear wheel are linked directly with no way for the pedals to stop while the wheel keeps going as is usual in a cyclist coasting. The benefits seem to be related to the second change so could we not build gearing like in a car where once the shift is done the link is direct?
"do not worry about what is happening in the second decimal place until you understand what is happening in the first." On a fixie you have to work your legs just as hard (in someways harder) going down hills as you do going up them. With a freewheel you only have to pedal up the hills.<p>I was a bicycle mechanic for 6 years, I've been a mountain biker and bmxer for 12, and rode a fixie for 2 years. You do feel efficient and intimate on a fixie and what he says about the longer stroke length (and more effective torque) is true. But the benefits of coasting down hills, being able to make sharp turns without pedal bite, and having gears more than make up for this, and are why the vast majority of cyclists don't ride fixies.<p>On a more bike snobby note, bunnyhopping on a fixie sucks too.
Anything that inspires you to ride is a good thing; that said, fixed-gear drivetrains represent some serious tradeoffs. For enhanced power transmission and ease of maintenance gained you have to give up low gearing for hills and/or carrying a bunch of groceries etc., and of course being able to coast downhill.