Originally Posted by
Banzai
While marginally heavier, the flange spacing on Shimano hubs has always been absolutely wonderful for balanced rear wheels.
Shimano is 18/36mm same as the WI hubs used to be. Alchemy is far superior with 19.6/37mm... and a 131mm axle.
In other words, cartridge bearings protest a little bit anytime the wheel is tipped out of a purely vertical axis. Cup-and-cone bearings don't care.
Cup and cone have greater resistance, and if you ever pit or damage the races it's new hub time...