such a simple question...
 

it's about ss, not fixed, hence my need to ask it: what's a cheap wheelset? i know the pair at bicyclwheels.com with the flip flop formula/cxp22s, but this is a vert dropout bike that we'll never be using as a fixed. so what's a good cheap option?

Come on now Ian.
Any road wheel made ever with the correct sized rim.
If it's cassette, use a spacer kit. If it's freewheel. BMX freewheel, respaced, redish.

well...i mean without respacing or redishing. an off-the peg, throw it on the bike and go sort of set.

but yes, i do think that respace/redish is the way to go...

Cassette hub and spacers is going to be the way to go. I bet you could find a nice rear wheel with a 600 hub or something cheap if you're willing to dig.

You're not going to do much better than the usual cheapie track/flipflop wheels, anything else is going to need respacing.

edit: bicyclewheels.com has some $100 cassette rigs, a little cheaper but I'd only go this way if you need to play chainline games.