I have an old Specialized Hardrock mountain bike frame in great condition that I am restoring and using to build a bike from scratch. I want this bike to look very good, everything is either new or being repainted, and all parts will more or less match.

I don't like exposed brake/shifter cable. I think it looks bad and (especially when building the bike myself) is just another place to screw up the housing. I was thinking of running the cable next to the existing cable stops, but wouldn't that look like dirt? I know I can take a dremel tool to my cable stops, I just can't decide if it's worth it or not.