Hm... i really need to do more research before making decisions.

I'm just going to leave Walmart behind (except for the occasional inner tube for my tires) and visit my LBS for parts. Thank you cny-bikeman. I'll by the correct cable housing next chance i get.

I might keep the Bell cable kit i bought. The cables and other parts it came with might come in handy, but i will ask the folks in the bike shop for opinions on that.