Cable routing
 

I am in the midst of my Criterium restoration and now I am wondering which way the brake cables are routed.
I have a photo that shows the rear brake cable behind the bar, and a later photo of the cable in front of the bar.
Are these decided by the person who sets up the bike when new?

If the housing is long enough, the cable can be flipped around from one orientation to the other. I prefer over/behind bar cable routing for aesthetic reasons, but if your rear brake cable guide is on the underside of the top tube, you can make a good case for under/front routing, instead.

I saw a real nice picture of an early 80's Guerciotti the other day with the front brake line coming out of the right lever over the handlebar on the same side of the stem to the break. It looked real sleek but you'd probably want to be used to reversing the brake levers.

Top of the top tube cable route?

Length of stem?

Left or other handed?

Campagnolo brakes?

Does it look good?