Are rim brakes as dependable as disks?
Well they have a hundred year head start 😉 . I think you are being a little over-cautious to be honest.
I was in exactly your position; 10 mile commute, need something reliable. Fancied fixed (have a track bike for the road already) and went for a used Kona Paddy Wagon for £230. It’s steel, has full guards, rack, bolt on lights. And it is a delight to ride. Utterly brilliant (that’s geometry for you).
I only ride fixed (in fact the freewheel hasn’t survived the winter despite never being turned), but the ride is so nice, and several 1000 miles in, I can’t say that I really notice it’s fixed, except when clipping in.
If I could change one thing, I’d make it three pounds lighter – so the next one will be custom titanium with lighter wheels and a carbon fork. Same geometry, mind.
Charge Plug. Hard as nails Heavy, flip flop hub.
Again nice geometry for commuting, but a little portly.