you asked for it Scott, so here's Huey "I calls 'em as i see 'em" Hoolihan's opinion, warts and all.

honestly, i would get this and be done with it. Phil and WI are way, way overpriced.

for the first few years i rode as an adult i was convinced, for no particularly good reason other than the glowing and reverential terms in which certain brand names were discussed, that Phil (WI didn't exist at the time) actually made components that were in some way superior to all others. subsequently, i've found out that they are not. they just cost more. i'm not entirely anti WI though, in fact, i've got a couple of WI Eno Eccentric rear hubs (nobody makes a comparable model), and i have no problem with them.

builder's that are still advocating tying and soldering wouldn't be my first or even second choice. nowadays if i weren't the "kind and gentler type" i would call them (and here's a wart ->) a quaint affectation.