The only people I know who have bought fixies are because they are wannabe gangsters or horrible hipsters. No honest biker would ever use one.
I just went to the local bike shop, the guy helping me was a little older and told me the whole story about where the term Klunker originated from. We talked about them for about 5 minutes and I found it pretty fascinating. He grew up in the part of Nor Cal where some of the Klunkers OG's were from. He suggested I watch the documentary Klunkerz to learn more. What he schooled me on was pretty cool, the name now makes sense and I really gotta go watch the movie. We ended up talking about 15 minutes about various bikes. I ended up buying a Kryptonite lock, he actually recommended I buy the $50 cheaper one. Not many business owners will tell you to buy a cheaper product, so I appreciate his honesty. Whatever bike I get that'll definitely be my shop.
Unfortunately, I thought the hipster thing too before deadlyapp mentioned it lol. But I'm a west coast kid at heart and think it makes sense now why these bikes caught my attention like they did. I'm sure I use to see them growing up in the late 70's and 80s along with all the beach cruisers I'd see. He said he digs how they look because they remind him of his childhood. When I asked what he thought about me having ordered one, his take was neutral. He said they won't be that bad of a ride around here with a 16t cog, but the single speed will give my knees a decent workout. His shop sells uber high end road bikes and some 29" mountain bikes and I told him my budget so he had no motives to get me to buy one of his. I think the cheapest in-store is well over a grand. I showed him the website for the bike I ordered, he said if I don't send it back to bring it in because he'd love to check it out. And if I keep it to put a 16t on it as that would make it a totally different bike peddling wise.
I don't want to be a dirty hipster, and I don't want to destroy my knees, but god damn I'm struggling now. I won't be here the day the bike's being delivered. And they charge $50 for returns. So if I return it I'll be out $50 which sucks. But would be what I deserve for using my heart instead of my head for deciding to buy it in the 1st place. And it doesn't help I did half my research on the Klunker Reddit, of course, the people there are going to love them lol.
With how I'm thinking, maybe I gotta keep it for a fun bike and buy a 2nd more rideable one to use when I need to seriously get around. I did talk to him about other larger non mountain or road bikes. He said if I want a 27" BMX or something similar it will be single-speed. And the 2nd bike I was looking at was the DK General Lee 27" BMX. Which would probably not be super great to ride more than short trips here and there.
And deadlyapp, your view on who rides these is kinda closeminded, there happens to be a 3rd type who would 100% ride these, at least around here. And that would be the tweakers. But they are bad bad bad news and maybe worse than the Hipsters lol. Also in So Cal some of the Jeff Spicoli surfer/stoner types would ride these in Venice. I'm none of the 4 though so I don't fit the rider criteria.
I gotta sleep on this one, I'm glad I posted my question I have a lot to think about. Anyways thanks to everyone who replied. I got a lot to sleep on tonight.