Bicycle Mechanics - Brake Cable Routing

I looked with search, but couldn't find where my question is addressed. I have an old roadbike that I use as a commuter, but I want to add a handlebar bag to the front so I can use it for some day-trips. The problem, is that the brake-lines are routed under the handlebar tape, from the bottom of the brake handle. The bike is old, so it is only the brakes, with no STI or anything on the handle. Is there a way to have the brake cable come out the top of the pull-housing, so the brake line doesn't interfere with the installation of the bag, or do I need to buy different pulls?

Either way, what kind of skill level is needed. I do chain-cleaning and occasional Front Der. adjustments, but thats about it. Am I up to this task?

If this has been covered elsewhere, I apologize for asking again. I just didn't find it.

I'm guessing that you would need different (older) brake levers to change the cable routing. However, I'm not sure how routing the brake cables under the bar tape would prevent you from using a handlebar bag. There are plenty of handlebar bags available, and most new bikes have under the bar tape cable routing, so I would think that you could find one that would work for less time, trouble, and cost than changing the levers. Did you have a specific handlebar bag that you wanted to use, and, if so, exactly how does the cable routing interfere with the bag?

I got a cheap used cannondale HB bag, and it has a mounting bracket. Putting the bracket on, leaves little room for the cable from the exit of the HB tape, so it pushes the cable down, so there is a sharp turn in it. I can get the bag on there, and have adjusted the brake, but I don't think I want to ride very far with that setup. I thought I could just shoot the cable out the top, but sounds like maybe not without new levers. Perhaps I'll re-wrap the handlebars and route the cable to the bottom of the handle-bars instead of in front of them.

Thanks.

Yeah, do that, and have the cables "exit" the tape a litte further away from the center of the bar (closer to the levers). That should leave more room for the bag bracket (I think I know the kind you mean, and yeah, they're not very compatible with "aero" or STI levers). It might, however, muck up hand positions you might use while riding with your hands on the top of the bar.

The only problem with moving the cables under the bar tape is that you don't want to move them to a position where they make gripping the bars uncomfortable. The cables are usually positioned under the tape in front of the bars because you don't put a lot of pressure on that area when gripping the bars. On top of the bars under the tape would not be a good idea, but underneath might work.