We all started someplace. Start riding that Schwin geared and after you know bike commuting (or just riding it) is for you (you will!), you can decide if you want to try fixed gear. That's what I did. I was already commuting on a hardtail MTB. I tried my commute for a week experimenting with different gearing and trying to NOT coast on the downhills. In the meanwhile, started hunting for a bike to convert. Located an old Fuji 12-speed with 27" wheels. Rode it geared a little and settled on 42x16 fixed/42x18 free gearing with 170 cranks. LBS helped with a fixed/flop hub and a 700c front wheel. I have rarely used the free side. Currently alternating between commuting on the fixie and my road bike (with a backpack; yuck !). Here's a pic; I've since replaced the stem with one a little shorter, replaced the brake pads with koolstops (they work great), added a Fizik pave saddle when I upgraded the one of the road bike, and installed 2-sided SPD pedals shortly after the photo session. I had to extend the brake pad slots with a dremel tool to reach the slightly smaller 700c wheels vs the original 27" ones.

I love commuting fixed - it's quiet, I feel better connected to the road, don't obssess on gearing, and don't worry if I get caught in rain. And it's REALLY improved my peadling. Now if this old frame was a bit lighter - oh well, can't have everything!