I haven't gone from one extreme to the other, but I have always approached bicycling from the Grant Petersen School of Thought. As a result, I have never gotten "down" on cycling and have never lost a minute of bicycling enjoyment worrying about the bike I was riding, the clothes I was wearing, etc. I think you will be quite surprised at how much fun bicycling will be now that you've had that $4000 burden lifted off your shoulders. Sorry about the loss, though.