Dropping the need for a 9 speed cassette, I found Phil's freewheel Hubs great.

(I had a 48 hole so a broken spoke never stopped me,
in spite of not being able to replace it on the spot...
a bit of truing and I was good to go, on 47 remaining.)

7 speeds , but in a wide ratio spread, [+ triple crank]
have worked well for my long distance travels ..

Phil's freehubs , as I have read, Occasionally need a cleaning and re oiling,
when the function falters, but are made to be field stripped to do so..

just don't lose any small parts way out in the outback..