alright. thanks guys!

In this case, i'm going to wait for a bike at an auction with a disc brake front, and then convert that to fixed. I don't need this until spring anyway, too much snow on the trails now!

I underestimated how much brakes would help I guess. I've ridden fixed on road, and even though I always had a brake, I never used it. I've also ridden weird bikes on trails, like my 650c road bike...with thin slicks. that was fun, but I felt like I was trashing my wheels.

thanks for the advice! will return with pics in a while...