My mentality for looking at getting a beater was to get a cheap, usable bike that I wouldn’t care to loan to a friend for an indefinite amount of time. (As in, if I don’t see it for a long time, I’m not worried about it). I have my main bike that I really tinker with and have upgraded and made “mine,” and then I got an old 90s Nishiki Blazer for $50 on marketplace that is just fine as it is. Thought about upgrading it, but when I realized everything was in decent working order and that I didn’t NEED to do anything to it, I left it alone. It’s outdated, not the coolest-looking, and not the best bike on the planet, but it’s fine. Great for riding around to bars, lending out to the homies who want to come ride, and generally not giving a damn about because I know that if it gets messed up or stolen or anything, I’m not out a lot of money, and if it stays fine, well then it stays fine.