Originally Posted by
rpenmanparker
You're missing the point. It is true that soldering of cable ends would eliminate the need for the crimped cable tips, but wouldn't rule them out. The real purpose of soldering is to protect the cable end when there is no tip crimped onto it, like when feeding the cable through the levers or other parts of the system. Especially if the cable has been previously cut, it is very susceptible to fraying while installing it. Soldering (or super gluing) the end eliminates that risk.
Another area is front derailleurs, where sometimes you have to cut the cable end stupidly short to keep it from hitting the right crank arm. Since the cable is so short, if you ever have to release the cable for any reason (such as to adjust the FD clearance or reset cable tension), the only way to re-tension the cable is by grabbing the end with pliers, which almost always means fraying. Soldering would make the tip a lot more durable.
P.S. I realize you can leave the cable longer by wrapping it around the pinch bolt for 135 degrees or so, but that's more of a trick that can also kink and fray the cable. Often the manufacturer will cut a groove in the cable clamp area that makes it pretty clear they intend the cable to be routed straight out.