i was referring mainly to the silence - apart from the hum of the tyres - no chainslap, no grinding of misadjusted deraileurs and my forks are nearly silent and i can lock them out if i want. can;t match your handlebar cleanliness but then a single gripshift is hardly an eyesore (though the cables are a consideration). to be honest when i'm riding during the week (mainly on roads with some gravel) i just stick it in 12 and grind away - it's only when i have to cross a busy road and need a quick burst of acceleration that i change gear.

i've got an old specialised that i might look at single speeding however it would be to the detriment of my ongoing mission to bling out my thorn. so i doubt it'll happen.

cheers

julian