Cool thanks guys, well I was doing some research on the fixed gear bikes, and they're pretty cheap, cheaper than I thought at least. So I'm going to try and keep it under the $450 range. What do you guys think about the Republic custom bikes? I never really liked buying expensive things from stores, I always feel like I could have gotten a better deal online, and I'm living in the central valley, not too many bike stores, I think I've seen one before though, don't remember where though. But if I do go to a LBS, it's gonna be in the Berkeley, CA area. I remember their stores were still pretty pricey and mostly had road bikes, I'm looking for a simple, reliable, fixed gear bike with the option of freewheel. Not trying to say that I don't agree with you guys on a LBS, it's just that I can't remember ever seeing more than like 3 fixed gear bikes at the stores I've been to around the Berkeley, Albany area.

Sorry to hear about the repossession on your car, I'm only 17 and don't have a job, so I'm not in some kind of a crysis for another method of transportation, I just need something to ride from here and there around the city (Manteca) and a bit in the Bay Area with my cousins, also the roads here are dead smooth and pretty flat, so I don't think I need something too overbuilt, I also weigh 165 and I'm 5'11'', and I'm thinking of a 59cm bike?

Again, thanks for the help, hope the tax returns really help out, and I'll check out that link.