I'm impressed by the Zen aspect of you fixed-gear commuters. (I am also sick of fiddling with derailleurs.) And it so happens that I have an extra 80's road bike with horizontal dropouts lying around. But everything I've read about converting a freewheel road bike to a fixed-gear leaves out a very important starting question: How much will this cost?
I've got a decent LBS that will give me a fixed rear wheel, with cog, for $65/$70. I guess I'll need a new chain, and presuming I can use one of the chainrings, at least some shorter bolts. Or am I overlooking some other cost, like the Holy Masonic Fixie Induction Ceremony for $300?