We just got back from a 2900 mile fully loaded trip which included over 400 miles of unpaved roads and trails, and over 500 miles of cobblestone and paver block roads. The XT hubs were trouble free. I also put on about 1000 trouble free miles of loaded touring on those hubs prior to the most recent trip. The only thing I don't like about the XT hubs is the inability to preload the hubs using the quick release skewer when adjusting the bearings. This is due to the need to use a hex wrench in the the skewer opening to set the cones. It just takes a little longer to adjust them correctly. I was a little apprehensive about a touring on XTs when I first realized the axels were aluminum, but after using them and servicing them a couple of times I don't anticipate any problems. I ran into the same situation where the LX hubs were not available, and I did not realize the XT had the aluminum axels. I would have been happy with the LX hubs if I could have found some. The bike my wife used to ride (fully loaded) across the U.S. a few years ago has LX hubs, and they were also trouble free. She has used the same bike to commute with in all kinds of weather and the hubs are still in great condition. If you can finds the LX hubs and want a solid axel they are a good alternative.