I have a Miyata Quick Cross hybrid bike I want to convert to single speed (not fixed). I'm not necessarily on a budget, but to see if I like it I thought I'd be conservative on the spending. Are there any really crappy economical components I should avoid.
I want good enough parts to get a good idea of "the feel", but not inferior parts to screw up the experience.

Can anyone make any recommendations.
Thanks guys.

I think your bike has vertical dropouts. That makes things more difficult, and more expensive. And depending on which method of chain tensioning you choose, less efficient.

Can't you just pick a gear and leave it there to experiment?

What kind of blasphemy is this.

I was just standing here holding a big red balloon, and someone just went by, I think they were on a bicycle, and popped it.
I'm just going to go home.