The Jamis Beatnik can be set up as a fixed-gear or with a freewheel so you can coast. Unlike some single-speeds, it has front and rear brakes. The frame is hi-tensile steel and it has a sealed cartridge bottom bracket. The wheels have deep dish alloy rims and the tires are 700x32c. This bike is low maintenance. Fewer gears means less components to maintain. It's a great bike to ride around Chicago. The gearing is a pleasant 46 / 16 ratio. Basically, this one will put a smile on your face.
Here is what Jamis has to say about the Beatnik.