Brake cable housing doesn't attach to lever I got a new bike but the front brake doesn't work. I tried reading up about the brake system on line and learned quite a bit (they're cantilever brakes). But I am missing something elementary and simple.

(1) Should the brake cable housing (the outer housing that the thin brake cable runs through) be affixed to the brake lever? 

(2) If so, how do I attach it? My bike has two brakes -- Shimano STI levers and Tektro safety levers on the front. The cable runs through both, but there is no tension in either, and the housing doesn't attach to the Tektro lever -- it kind of just slips out of where the adjuster is located. 

I know this must be a really simple problem, which is why I'm frustrated not to find instructions for what I should try to resolve it.

Thanks for any advice or pointers!
OK. Thanks for the additional info. 

Start by making sure that the brake cable is connected to your drop lever. Check this out: http://www.parktool.com/blog/repair-help/shift-levers-shifters. The cable itself has a metal tab crimped onto the end that connects it to the lever. (Find the relevant photo. The brake cable is the larger cable. If this doesn't look familiar, you can search for more specific instructions on brake cable replacement for your particular STI model).

If the cable is correctly seated in the lever, make sure the cable hasn't become unclamped at the cable yoke (the metal bit which connects to your straddle cable linking the two sides of your cantilever calipers). You should be able to gently pull down on that yoke and feel the pull of the lever when you depress it. You can read Sheldon Brown's instruction on canti adjustment here: http://sheldonbrown.com/canti-trad.html 

Make sure before you make any adjustments that the housing is seated at all of the cable stops. Also make sure that you are relatively confident in your skills here. Your front brake provides MOST of your braking force. If in doubt, definitely bring it back to the shop you purchased it from.