It would certainly be possible to rig a cable, but at this point there are no plans to supply cable-driven units. For one thing, the cable would come out at 90 degrees from the wheel unless a right-angle gear was put in. Tom has worked up some numbers and it looks like a pretty pricey thing.
If somebody else has an interest in producing cable drives, I'm sure Tom would be receptive to an offer to supply the chassis without the counter, but that's his call.
The doodad on my wheel is a small skull-and-crossbones, a whimsical valve stem cap, a years-ago gift from Stu.