This thread is old, but I love telling people about my POS Royce Union.

My first commuter was a 1999 RU mountain bike that I rode while I figured out what kind of bike I was suited to. I ended up "locking out" the front suspension by putting PVC pipes in the suspension tubes. I completely removed the rear suspension and kludged a steel pipe in its place. A set of slicks and a set of tektro brakes helped me go faster and stop better, respectively. I lasted about 8 months on that monstrosity. All of my modifications told me that I would be much more at home on a road bike

It was worth exactly what I paid for it. Nothing. Like all WalMart bikes actually.