Originally Posted by cyccommute

I would say that it is abnormal. I seldom see cables that are frayed at the pinch bolt (or anywhere else) at my local co-op except when the cable pinch bolt has been over-tigtened. I've never broken a cable of any kind, personally, and seldom have cables fray even at the ends.

If you think about it, this makes sense because bicycle cable seldom make sharp turns anywhere on the bike so cable seldom wear and break because of friction.