I have no problem with the FG/SS concept. I just question the whole "want to get away from coasting" thesis. And I question removing the brakes for a bike that will be used in traffic. And financially, unless you are pretty handy and ready to do all the work yourself (and have the tools/time/skills necessary), the brand new FG/SS from Nashbar, Performance and Bikes Direct are really tough to beat.

At some point, I will probably convert some nothing frameset I have into a SS just for the heck of it. Too many hills around here for FG IMHO.

I think the conversion cost is way overstated. I just use a $20 dura ace cog on my regular freewheel threaded hub. I used to run a BB bracket lockring but stopped doing that as well. I go up one good hill and the cog is on there tight. I don't skid and run brakes. I backpedal to slow down and in 2 years have never had a cog unthread. I use the inner ring and the chainline is ~2mm off so it is no big deal.

No $300 Bikesdirect bike is going to match the quality of an early 70's nervex lugged double butted reynolds 531 steel bike. When I get tired of running fixed, I just convert back and have a high quality geared bike again.

Coasting can be quite enjoyable although after riding so many miles on a fixed gear I sometimes forget I can coast... I just de-converted one bike from being an fg to a geared bike and have been riding this bike as a fixed gear for so long have been forgetting it now coasts.

And sometimes you just want to keep that flow going and keep those pedals turning and you can still coast on a fixed gear if you reduce your pedaling input and let the pedals turn under your feet... you just need to maintain enough input to maintain control and prevent a runaway.