I liked Phil for Freewheel Hubs ,, the one vulnerability with freewheel hubs, the bent axle, Is gone ..

they are both San Francisco Bay area Companies .. an expensive place to do anything in anymore ,


but actual Touring If you need a new wheel in a small town like this one, with a lot of Tourist traffic , You will not get a Custom Rebuild. in a day.

unless you are willing to spend a week in one spot. .. off-the peg replacements are Shimano Freehub wheels ..

now if the plan is to build a expensive touring wheel set for its Own sake , Be My Guest ...
Phil's field serviceable axle design simplifies bearing access &you may pull the hub apart to access a broken spoke
as i suppose from reading. (have not tried dont own the new stuff)

Tied (Copper wire) and soldered at the last cross `were Done on Track Wheels which see a lot of side forces on steeply Banked Corners on Velodrome tracks .