I have a set of wheels that were handbuilt by me about 35 years ago for a transcontinental tour, I rode from Spokane, WA to Virginia Beach, VA and continued to ride those wheels for another several years. The bike was loaned out for a few more years and came back home and was partially dismantled and hung in the shed. I pulled the wheels out a couple of weeks ago. Just out of curiosity I tossed the front on in the truing stand, it has a bit of a wobble, but nothing serious. Checked the spoke tension, they were +/- about 4%. These wheels are nothing fancy. Wolber Super Champion 58 rims, Suntour LePree hubs, spokes are quality (don't remember the manufacturer) 14ga stainless. The key was the proper hand build and reasonable quality parts. I don't use the wheels anymore because they are old 630 (27") and the rear is a 5 speed freewheel. However I would not hesitate to put them on a bike load up and start touring on them again.

Some of the stuff that comes on bikes nowadays surpasses even the cheapest stuff in lack of quality that was available 30 years ago. I saw a double chain ring the other day that had been stamped out of a single piece of steel...

Aaron