Originally Posted by Kimmo

I don't put anything on my cable ends because it's a PITA.

Instead, I wrap the shift cables 180 degrees around the clamp bolt, leaving the front one poking down behind the seat tube and the rear one poking back between itself and the derailleur, trimmed to be just long enough to stay there in top gear. Looks way neater. My brake cables, I just bend them a little at the pinch bolt to to tuck in out of harm's way.

I occasionally get a little bit of fraying, but it's nothing I can't twist back into shape; I find this far less hassle than dicking around with cable ends. Also, 2" is enough excess to prevent the disorder of the crushed area reaching the end; no need to have 6" of excess flapping around like some folks.

I was thinking it'd be sweet to solder the ends of my brake cables and cut them off right at the pinch bolt, but that'll be subject to some pretty rigorous testing before I recommend it... although I'm sure it'd be fine for the rear.