I thought LX was the cheap stuff. I guess for the most part cost is not all that connected to durability since there are pitfalls at the low and high end.

"Cassette rear hubs are all better Now than most Freewheel Hubs for touring"

I just don't know. I do know I never broke an LX freewheel hub. I try to ride smooth as it is easier on my back, injured it 40 years ago, so most of my career I have been trying not to trash the bike. Cassettes were a solution looking for a problem. Maybe they were necessary for the goal of going to 10 speed rears? I don't pay attention to that stuff. But making a freewheel hub that is stronger than required is easier and cheaper than changing the whole universe over to cassettes. You don't even need to build a Phil, you just need a strong axle material. That is a 50 cent solution.

(I have 6000 total posts, so I am not pointing a finger, but I could build a wheel for 10-20 of those posts. Time wise)