Is there a local community bike shop where you live? Here in Calgary of all places (where oil money is flowing and a mustachian lifestyle is not seen favourably, particulary one that involves bicycles), we have an awesome little coop where, for a lifetime membership of $5, you can have access to a workshop, tools, old parts and bicycles, etc., and a great community spirit as a bonus, and help from knowledgeable volunteers who can give you great advice. I picked up an old 10 speed Beekay circa 70s for $20 (in perfect condition), stripped it down completely, removed all gears and useless moving parts (levers, cables, brakes -not the place to debate about whether one should have brakes or not, etc.), and transformed it into a single-speed fixie that I used summer or winter, sun, rain or snow. Equipped with a $30 wire basket mounted on the free bike rack I got from the coop, to which I can attach plastic tubs (from kitty litter boxes, thanks to a fellow mustachian who posted the instruction here) if I need to carry groceries, it is now my regular mode of transportation. Even without gears, I can still keep up with folks riding $1000 bikes with 50 gears, thanks to the great workout that fixie riders get for free...Total cost of my old fixie: $50. Cool factor: Priceless :)