Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 4,094
Likes: 2
From: Bozeman
Bikes: 199? Landshark Roadshark, 198? Mondonico Diamond, 1987 Panasonic DX-5000, 1987 Bianchi Limited, Univega... Chrome..., 1989 Schwinn Woodlands, Motobecane USA Record, Raleigh Tokul 2
I'd agree with the above that you could probably use a specialized end ferrule however, I've seen bikes with both housings run through the frame, and with housing stops at the entry parts to the frame (and only the cable runs through the frame.)
If you look down into the hole, does it only have a tiny hole that only the cable could pass through? A few bikes I've seen actually use the hole (in the frame) as the ferrule.
Yes, there is thinner brake housing. You can get 4.5mm housing instead of the 5mm you're probably using.