Ok now I have a true new beater bike. It's a real scruffy target or kmart type, all wore-out but with good gears and lousy brakes. But ready to ride at $30. I bought it for my stepson to ride when he's visiting.

He's one of those urban guerrilla types who actually prefers a cheap old mountain bike: "I don't have to worry about trashing it. The worst thing that could happen is you're out 30 bucks and I have to walk home."