Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 19,381
Likes: 5,527
From: Rochester, NY
Bikes: Stewart S&S coupled sport tourer, Stewart Sunday light, Stewart Commuting, Stewart Touring, Co Motion Tandem, Stewart 3-Spd, Stewart Track, Fuji Finest, Mongoose Tomac ATB, GT Bravado ATB, JCP Folder, Stewart 650B ATB
It's been a while but... some of the ST levers have enough space for the cable head so a common Shimano (or Campy, don't forget that their heads are even smaller then Shimano's) will fit. Also the Huret head shape might be an option as it sits crossways compared to the Shimano/campy standard.
But I have subbed shift cables more then a few times and the "holding up" issue is a non issue. The only real possibility is that the "wrong" head shape will have the inner wire leave the head at an angle which will promote a bit more fatigue at the head's edge. Worst case is that the inner cable might need replacement sooner they usual. Andy.