How to make sure that the brake cable anchor bolt properly holds the cable? I am referring to the bolt, in the V-brake, that holds the cable on the opposite side of the noodle (as in this question). Yesterday I loosened that bolt to take the wheel off (I learned later that there is an easier way, it is enough to take out the noodle), and even though I fastened it again after putting the wheel back, I don't know how to check if I did it properly enough, and that the cable won't just come loose while I ride and cause the brake to stop working. Of course, I tried the brakes a couple of times, even while circling on the bike, and they seemed ok. But the question remains:
Is there a way to make sure that the cable will never come off from under the bolt? I.e., that 1.) it seats deep enough (and with enough of its surface *) under the bolt AND 2.) that the bolt is tight enough?
* Another question I asked myself is: why is (was) the cable guided only on the top and side of the bolt? Why not give it a full turn, so that it has more surface under the bolt? Would the only problem be, that then it would be sticking upwards, instead of downwards?
N.B.: Even though in this case I unfastened and fastened it (although it was not necessary to do so), the question could apply to many other scenarios (installing new brakes, making sure a newly bought bike, or a bike unused for a long time are safe, ...)
To check the holding ability of the screw, while stationary, squeeze the lever as hard as you can and see if the cable anchor retains the cable. There should not be enough slack to allow the brake lever to contact the handgrip. The reason for not wrapping the cable around the screw is the cable strands are more likely to break from the tight bending. It also would make it difficult to reposition the cable to adjust for wear or pad replacement.