Sticky rear brake

[SpokeyDokey]

My Giant TCX1 is now 5 months old. It is fitted with cross-top or interruptor levers.

Over a period of time the rear brake has got stickier and stickier to the point where the rear brake does not always release.

Went to supplying LBS and they diagnosed a new cable needed. They offered to fit but I didn't have time - took the new cable home and fitted it myself.

When I took out the old cable I noticed a sharp angle in it at the point where it would have exited the cross-top lever. Clearly the cause of the problem.

The new cable works fine.

***

However, I have now noticed that if I turn my front wheel right the cable exiting the cross-top lever gradually assumes a very acute angle - the housing bends very sharply down from the ferrule that enters the lever.. It is routed forward then curving down the LH side of the head- tube and then onto the top tube.

I am now wondering if the problem will rear its head again!

Would I be right in thinking the housing is too short?

Would this be unusual to come from the manufacturer like this?

 

[rusty bearing]

Certainly sounds like this is the root cause of the problem, I'd be inclined to put a new bit of outer in there.
I suppose if a manufacturer cuts their cable even 10mm shorter, if they sell thousands of bikes they'll save money, from experience there's often not a lot spare.