Bicycle Mechanics - Phil Wood or White Industries Racer X hubs?

Which would you get for a bomber wheel?

I've heard the Phil Wood has more drag, enough to be an annoyance (compared to a racer X)?

Thanks much!

That's like choosing between the hot blond and a knockout redhead.

Redheads first and then dark hired brunettes - never blonds.

Oh yeah, "Which hubs?"...front or rear (You did say "wheel")...is it for road, atb, 'cross, single-speed (fixie?), touring...ride till it seizes or maintained...spoke count/gauge, lacing pattern...rim choice...tire size...air pressure checked once in a while...does cost matter...why aren't Chris King hubs in the mix?

As DieselDan wrote...(I only responded so as to put in a vote for redheads!?)

...Oh yeah, "Which hubs?"...front or rear (You did say "wheel")...is it for road, atb, 'cross, single-speed (fixie?), touring...ride till it seizes or maintained...spoke count/gauge, lacing pattern...rim choice...tire size...air pressure checked once in a while...does cost matter...why aren't Chris King hubs in the mix?

As DieselDan wrote...(I only responded so as to put in a vote for redheads!?)

It'll be a wheelset for expedition style touring (very heavily loaded front and rear, "out there").

48 DB spokes, Velocity Dyad 700c rims Marathon XR tires (properly inflated and topped off as needed). Cost is not a factor, hub maintenance is a bit of a factor. Chris Kings aren't in the mix beacause the builder doesn't carry them, and I don't believe they have 48 hole hubs in 135 width anyways.

Thanks

Gotta go with the redhead then.

on a 48-spoke touring rim with a heavy tire, i seriously doubt you're going to notice whether or not a phil may or may not have more drag. i'm not ruling out the white either, either would probably work well.

Gotta go with the redhead then.

???

phil wood

Thanks for the responses. Keep 'em coming if you've got any.

Phil

I highly doubt you'll have a problem either way. Both are very, very good hubs. Maybe a slight edge to Phil for durability. But slight.

More thoughts 'cause this is an interesting question that has a number of "other" considerations. You likely have a touring frame but given your "...very heavily loaded..." comment, brakes, or lack of, might be an issue. So, if cost is no concern, then consider a frame/fork/wheelset set up for disc brakes (And maybe 650/26" rims). Or at least swap forks and put a disc wheel on the front (Straight forward modificaton and that's where most of the stopping happens).

And I have to ask, "Why don't you or your wheel builder like drum brake hubs - there're some good ones available?". Again, if cost doesn't count there's a bunch of options.

Plus, based on my 30+ years experience, 48 hole rims/hubs aren't necessary - 36 hole, four cross, 14 ga spokes/brass nipples will be bomb-proof if you're dealing with a good wheel builder. The quality & reliability of modern, high-end components, used in the traditional application described above will meet your needs. Regardless, a good four-sided spoke wrench, spokes, nipples, hub tools, bearings, axles, cassette carrier need to be packed. Riding a bike is fun, pushing/carrying one is not.

And even if your builder doesn't stock King hubs, he/she should have contacts that can supply them. Maintenance is easy and reliability is proven, and the stainless steel cassette carrier is a plus.

Finally, if you're still uneasy about all this, take a look at hubs designed for downhill racing. The high-end ones are relatively light and trouble free in conditions worse than any touring scenario (Including South America & Siberia), and can be had with conventional quick releases or bolt-on axles.

This is rambling and I apologize, but I recommend you step back, reconsider your requirements, and take a more creative approach. Good luck...

Thanks for the thoughts gruppo. I'll try to address some of your recomendations, which are very good by the way-thank you!

The builder is pretty darned good IMO (used his wheels before, nary a problem). I started this thread out of my own curriosit between the two (Phil & White), neither of which I've used. I have Chris King's on one of my wheelsets, and hadn't given using there hubs much thought for this application.

The wheels are for a solo tour from Paris to Tibet (via Ukraine,Russia,Kazak&Kyrgyz). Further riding through Nepal, India and SEA is a very big possibilty. Dead weight load will at times broach 80 lbs (gear, food and water), with the heaviest loads at times being along the most remote and roughest bits of the ride.

While cost is not an outright issue for a wheelset, cost is an issue for a new bike (and wheels), or severely modifying my current one (ie modifying it to use discs). Time is a secondary issue. I've all but enough time to get some miles in on my new wheelset once built, prior to starting my tour (procrastinators RULE! ROCK ON!). If I had the money for a new bike (ie a 26" tourer), I doubt I'd have enough time to get the fit rite-and make sure it rides well with a load etc etc. My current bke fits like a glove, and handles a load very very well including over pretty rough stuff.

The secondary concerns for me (with discs) would be the possibilty of damaging the rotors. ie some tout tossing the bike onto a bus/train etc. Plus it's not that great of an idea to go on a long ride with gear new to the user. I'm familiar with V-brakes, and spare pads are small enough to carry about.

Hub Maintenance will be limited (a plus for the Phils). I'm not sure what's needed for the White Industry ones.

[Edit] Grammar.