BITD, the Barcons used a longer braided cable for flexibility with the naked cable housing.

If I were setting a bike up now, I’d use lined “index” housing with appropriate end caps and stainless cable. The end caps would be tricky- IIRC, the shifter end needs to step down like a fitting for a “divers helmet” stop. If the frame’s large I might start with a tandem-length cable to allow smooth housing bends.