Square taper bottom brackets and cranks are reliable and durable and still favoured by many tourists. A basic UN54 cartridge will last several years daily use. A Phil Woods will last several decades.
External bottom brackets seem to work OK, esp the Shimano systems.
The splined systems are not recommended.
Standard Aluminium stems are the norm with steel steerers. If you assemble them with std lithium grease or fancy copperslip they dont corrode. If you leave them exposed to rain and salt spray, without maintenance , for several years, they will size together.