Originally Posted by
Batavus
New style XT hubs are a throwback as far as quality. Oversized aluminum axles, 3/16 ball bearings in a retainer (wtf shimano?). Have seen several severely locked up hubs where the bolt that holds the freehub body onto the hub shell unscrewed itself. These hubs are no longer used in loaded touring situations for example. Many builders in that field go back to LX hubs (FH-T660), which is basically a revamped Tiagra hub with better seals. It does have the reliable steel axle and 1/4 inch bearings.
HAHAHA!!! LOL, you mean I got a good deal when I bought a 36 hole Shimano Tiagra rear hub on sale for light touring?
By the way, I got a WTB Freedom Ryder 23 thirty-six hole double wall rim as well and 14G/2.0mm DT Swiss straight gauge spokes. I can't wait to have it built. (I also bought a Shimano DH-2N70 dynamo hub on sale on eBay for $33 CAD. Even if it's only 32 hole and 2.4 watts, if I buy a Busch & Muller Lumotec Lyt, it might a pretty good deal price-wise.)