I would not go for the Xtracycles inless your rich and going to buy a $2000 bike. I am car-free year-round I have a 2004 Marin Novato w/ 2004 Burley Nomad. I use studs in the winter time, I now use painners, mostly. If you don't have a lot of money, get a descent bike and slowly upgrade. If you don't have the money to buy it bulid it. I have been slowly building a utitaly cycle.
My Homepage Here is my site, I am slowly adding pics.
Good luck,
GEEK