Another beginner here.

fastrnb said:

I've been getting back into cycling lately, and I want to be like all the cool kids and go fixed.
Well, I'm not ready to marry it, so I'm looking for a flip-flop hub.

I'm in the process of buying my roommate's Fuji Monterey, which I've seen other people convert (he decided he doesn't like road bikes), so my question is: would it be better to take this to a shop and throw money at them, or would it be better to buy the parts and do this at home? I'd like to learn to do my own bike work, but I'd also really like to ride this summer.

I think you can definitely DIY ...

And, the most difficult task will probably be deciding which chainring & cog size to use ...
[INDENT]Try riding around with the chain set on whichever chainring you think you want to use PLUS choose one cog in the back and see if you can ride wherever you want to go without shifting ... repeat your typical ride using different cogs in the rear until you find the combination that seems to work the best for you ...

If you are a Flatlander (you're in the 'flat' part of Indiana, aren't you?), then you can probably opt for the larger chainring ... try to figure out what the smallest cog is that you can use to muscle your way up whatever hills you may encounter ...

If you have a lot of mixed terrain, then you may want to opt for the current, inner chainring (or, you may want to buy something in between like a 46t at some point) ...
[/INDENT]IMO, it's easier to start with too large a chainring and eventually go to a smaller chainring AND subsequently remove unwanted links in the chain than to start with the smaller chainring and then need to add links to the chain.

BTW. I recommend that you start by simply modifying the existing rear wheel -- remove the Freewheel, center the hub, redish the rim, install a BMX Freewheel ... it's not difficult to do; but, it does take some time + a minimum amount of knowledge ...

BMX Freewheels are available with teeth that are "Road" chain compatible and teeth which are "Track" chain compatible ... get the former for this particular wheel otherwise you'll need a new chain. Narrower Track cogs which can use a Road chain are available, too.

I recommend ACS Freewheels ... Shimano Freewheels are okay, too.

Check www.danscomp.com for BMX parts.

Well, I took one ride on the bike, hit a bump (or the nearby dip), bent the front rim, and ended up doing a handstand over my handlebars. Well, all of that happened in some order. It would have been a really impressive headstand had I done it on purpose.
But, I need to get new wheels now as well. On the plus side, this will still end up being less than a SE Draft.
I am in a city where people talk about the location of the hills, a few guys I talked to tonight were doing something like 42/16 or 46/16.
Any excuse to shave pounds, or spend money at the bike shop, I suppose.

fastrnb said:

Well, I took one ride on the bike, hit a bump (or the nearby dip), bent the front rim, and ended up doing a handstand over my handlebars. Well, all of that happened in some order. It would have been a really impressive headstand had I done it on purpose.
But, I need to get new wheels now as well. On the plus side, this will still end up being less than a SE Draft.
I am in a city where people talk about the location of the hills, a few guys I talked to tonight were doing something like 42/16 or 46/16.
Any excuse to shave pounds, or spend money at the bike shop, I suppose.

oy, bummer man! I've yet to scrub on my bike *knocks on wood*.

The mod bug will getcha, its fun though.

Good luck with that first build...my first build a few years ago caused me to open a bike shop and seriously consider quitting my day job.