I recently restored and or built up two new slightly off topic bikes. One 1984/85 and one 1988. I brought them to an expert and owner of a local shop who loves and collects old bikes. He loved the workmanship, the paint job but put me down royally for my cheap -out in the area of brake cabling. I thought the brakes felt fine, mostly due to my use of Jagwire teflon brake cable and extensive use of beeswax to lubricate the cable. I also used a lithium based grease to prevent rusting and for good measure. The curmudgeon said that no one should be going through so much effort to perfect small details and then not use one of the brake wires that have been drawn through a die while still hot. He showed me one such wire and indeed it really did feel a little smoother. I use the cheap Pyramid stuff that all the local bike shops give me when I say I want some brake cable. I think I get it for a buck or two. Would hot drawn cable really make any difference?
Garth Libre in Miami Fl. USA