I think I want a fixie
 

Spent a week in SF for spring break and saw fixies everywhere. They're kinda cool so I think I want one now but it's got to have at least the front brake. Plus, there are hills in town so it has to be geared appropriately for this clydesdale to ride.

Has anyone here ever converted a road bike to a fixie? Was it hard and was it costly? One wouldn't think it should cost much since parts come off more than parts go on, right? Do bike shops do this conversion work?

Worth reading:
http://www.sheldonbrown.com/fixed-conversion.html

Many shops in SF do a lot of this work.

I did it. It was fun and I enjoy riding it.

Bought a hub from Sheldon, cog and lock ring and spokes and track nuts - built my own rear wheel... some single ring crank bolts, and that was about all it cost.

Assuming a bike in running condition, that's about all you really need. Either a new rear hub to lace to the existing wheel, or a cheapie new rear wheel or wheelset. Add a cog, lockring, and single-stack chainring bolts, shorten the chain as appropriate, and you're set.

Note, though, that the process is much, much easier if you start with a bike that has horizontal rear dropouts.