Thumism's suggestion does look like a great solution. Those of us with regular Weinmann or DiaCompe centerpulls can use it, as well, with the added benefit of being able to vary the tradeoff between leverage and pad closure rate. My straddle cables are starting to look a bit rusty, so I am going to try this when I replace them. Buy a regular double-ended full length brake cable, cut off what you need from the barrel end, and keep the longer piece of cable, with the teardrop end, for use as a regular brake cable with drop bars.