late last season I picked up an aluminum beach cruiser from Walmart with a Sturmey Archer 3speed for $50. I rode it year round until just recently as one of my co-workers just gave me an early 90's Specialized Rock Hopper. My commute is short at a mile, but I have used the bicycle to run errands and general utility type use. Other than lubing the chain, I haven't had to do anything else. I need to replace the white wall tires, they take a lot of energy to spin up it seems