Sorry, this is a long explanation because it needs a considered answer...
I have installed a largish bar bag (Ortlieb Ultimate) on my drop bar touring bike, which has gear cables coming out of the brifters (Shimano 4700) that now are bent sharpish by this new bag. I considered the options (including under the tape shifters and waiting for the gear cables to wear though) but opted for Nokon cabling for the gears.
So I have put in the Nokon cabling for the rear gearing and it works very well. But to do this I needed to make space for the 'liner' at a couple of pinch points -I had to drill out the housing screw on the downtube adjuster and the plastic conduit under the bottom bracket.
I am now looking at the front gearing and this is where my question starts.
As I understand it, the three reasons for installing the Nokon system are:
1) to allow tight curves (as explained above, this is my reason)
2) crisper shifting
3) long, maintenance-free life
The liner for the front gearing is intended to extend to just short of the derailleur pinch bolt. To do that, I shall need to drill out the housing screw on the downtube adjuster and the plastic conduit under the bottom bracket, just as I did for the rear gear cabling.
Alternatively, I could cut the front gear 'liner' short of the downtube adjuster. No drilling would then be needed but I'd have bare cable between the adjuster and the front derailleur.
The choice comes down to understanding the reason for the liner extending as far as the derailleur.
Would you install the Nokon system as recommended or cut the liner short? Why would you go for your option?