Originally Posted by
suntreader
Why get rid of the old bike? You need at least two bikes so you will have one for good conditions and a "beater" for less desirable conditions.
Keep the old one and ride it until you've saved enough to buy a new one... then set it aside for a rainy day, or ride it occasionally for sentimental reasons.
zackly. You'd hardly get anything for it if you sold it so keep the old bike and if you're not already proficient at bicycle mechanics, use it to learn. You probably don't need to replace the housing so just shorten them as needed. It's difficult to reuse old cables because it may not be possible to get the schmooshed end through the housing again, though I've done it. You can find stainless steel shifter cables for like three bucks, even at REI.
Having a second bike can come it handy.