Currently as I see it, there are a couple of problems with freewheels: Sachs no longer makes the Aris, which maxed at 8 spd, and there doesn't seems to be a viable replacement yet. In addition pulling the freewheel for any reason, such as a broken spoke on the freewheel side, was always a problem for me. I needed a good, solid bench vice to loosen the freewheel and I typically broke things like the little removal tools in the process. These days when I make or buy a wheelset, I use freehubs. The clusters aren't any cheaper than a good freewheel was, but they are sure easier to pop on and off, and now with the wide range 9 spd clusters (12-36) I am happy with the gear spacing and the overall high and low. I no longer have to make compromises with my gearing. The newer rims tend to be much stiffer, so that even at my weight I no longer break spokes.