So, I'm buying a partial bike tonight (comes with RD, stem shifter [ew], brakes, levers, cranks, and full frameset). Its a Schwinn World. I want to turn it into a 1x9 for longer rides - I'm planning a few 30+ this summer. Normally, I ride a track bike as a city commuter, and thought this would look very clean, with similar stylings, and appropriately compliment the track bike for the Chicago flatness.

I think the RD thats its coming with is a slightly older 105. Would I be better off doing a brifter/STI setup (which I think would be awesome) or bar-end? Does anyone have any good rec's for either? Further, any ideas on cheaper wheelsets (probably Shimano, I'd have to think, as its got stock parts on it)? Also, what kind of pedals would go best with a bike like this? I run double clips and straps on my main bike, but want something a little cleaner for this - clipless may be too expensive right now (do road bikes ever run clips and straps?).