I too had a mid 80s purchase of a Phil Wood hub, I got a 48hole hubshell at a Sausalito Bike Shop Garage sale

PW put the axle assembly in it, I laced it up Cross 5 to a Mavic mod 4 rim, and rode them
for a long time.

front was a 40 hole , same rim.. sold it as a set to someone in metro DC area

then built the next 40/48 set around Bullseye hubs, easily replaced bearings
and Sun Rhyno 'not light' rims , still have those, ..
176 spokes , only broke 1 , Rt Rear on the Phil/Mavic set.

I use a 13-34t freewheel in 7 'speeds'.. 50,40,24t crank got the job done..