Originally Posted by
jch3n
So that's "better"? Cartridge bearings aren't meant to be serviced, you just replace the entire cartridge bearing (I guess you could argue that the tools required to replace cartridge bearings are more prohibitive than the tools needed for cup/cone bearings, but either way you still need tools). Also, there are plenty of "higher end" hubs with aluminum freehub bodies that likewise get chewed up.
They are still what many people would consider advantages. Nothing wrong with either and my current wheelset on my roadbike has cartridge bearings and an aluminum freehub. But my rainy day bike has cup/cone bearings which I can service because of the PNW weather, where I've had cartridge bearings fail prematurely. A wheelset and its components are a balance of a variety of factors.