Originally Posted by
cyccommute
Factory reps nor shop mechanics aren't always the best sources for doing things to bikes for which they aren't designed. I've had many, many shop mechanics tell me that something "just can't be done" when, in fact, the bike standing in front of them has had that same thing done to it. I often go outside of the "limits" of abilities of bicycle drivetrains like using gearing that shouldn't work but does.
Often the reps and mechanics get tunnel vision and aren't willing to work outside of what the factory tells them what works. I'm willing to experiment and see how far I can push the limits and still keep the bike functional.
We also have to keep people safe and the stuff we do at home on our own bikes isn't always good to do for a customer. If I do something crazy to my bike and push it too the limits, that is fine, it is on me and I am the only one to blame but if I am doing it to someone else in a shop I am liable for them and I don't know them or know what they are capable or not capable of, etc. etc. Hopefully you get the point. There is just a lot more liability though we get some bodges done here and there ; )
As far as hubs, Phil's are nice, they do have some weight to them but you usually don't hear people talking bad about their Phil hubs, it is usually build and forget because they run so damn well. Hopefully Paul with come out with some 135 Cassette hubs again (he is working out his own freehub body because Industry 9 stopped making one for him) because so far they are nice and loud (read plenty of quick engagement) and look real nice and like the Phil's are MUSA, high quality and supposedly pretty easy to adjust and work on. CK is fine if you are looking for really lightweight MUSA racey hubs but I don't know for fully loaded touring and heavy commuting but they certainly are top notch so?
Hope and Industry 9 would be another two to consider. Hope would be fun because you can say they were made in Barnwoldswickshiretonabbeyvillesquire upon Avon and be all fancy british plus they are easy to take apart and have some nice colors, maybe the more MTB centric CK of Britland.