Sorry if this is a rookie question, but I'm restoring a 77 runabout and want to replace the shifter cables, but I haven't seen any online with the same shape end that mine have currently.

Could you provide a picture of the cables you have? Stem shifters shouldn't require a different shape of derailleur cable.

I wish I had a picture of them, but I don't as I'm at work. The end looks like a coin-shape and fits into a slot on the shifter itself. (like the cable runs into the side of the coin, not the top oif the coin was laying on a table, if that helps makes more sense)

If you get a universal shifter cable, it comes with both variation of cable ends, just cut off the one you don't need.

I read that that was for brakes though? MTB brake cable had a barrel-shaped nipple and road bikes had pear-shaped nipples, right?

(nipple is the brake lever side of the cable and "ends" are the brake side of the cable, right? I think I confused the names before but I'm obviously just concerned with the lever side of the cables)

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/cables.html

I stand very much corrected then. I will need the french universal kit. Thanks a bunch!

used to be that ALL "universal" derailleur cables had both cylinder and "pill" end so that you cut off the one not needed...these days there's so little call for the pill end that "universal" cables only have the one barrel end...guess it saves the cable mfgrs. a fraction of a cent.

DANG!!! Starting to feel old....have to preface everything with, "Well, Back in the OLD days"!!! It's bad enough that all my music is considered "Golden Oldies"!!

Right on, another thread about stem shifters. They're nearly cool now, and if we just keep talking about them online, they'll be the next fad. I notice people looking at me funny, when I shift from the stem, but I'm pretty sure they're just jealous, that they don't have them.

To be honest, I have never ridden a bike with stem shifters, and this one was a cheap find on CL and had them already. I'm actually trying to keep everything original (brillo pad to the chrome was a huge success) except for the handlebar. I'm throwing on bullhorns for that since I'm using the bike more for city commuting.

There is a little bit smaller barrel type for Huret and some other French shifters. I've both found them online and sanded down the regular ones to fit.

I think mine are the French shifters that have this thinner barrel-end. I purchased a set of universal cables online and haven't opened to check yet (I don't have the cable cutting tool or anything to smooth out the housing yet, so I haven't bothered) but it looks too thick. How hard is it to sand down those ends so they fit correctly?

It is a little tedious holding the cable and sanding evenly around, but you only have to take off a little bit to make them fit. You might try here or here or search. It has been a while since I did mine. link