the only thing with zip ties is, when you want to take them off you have to get you scissors right under them and possibly scratch the paint. and if there is vibration in them they will move and also scratch your paint. the cable wraps work great. they have a million uses, i never thought about using them for a brake cable on a bike. i use a long one to hold the very worn out speed adjust strap piece of my timbuk2 bag from opening up. and they are cheap as hell. i bought an 8 or 10 pack for all tha cables for my PA system for like $5. and they come in a ton of colors.