I went on a 6 week trip along the dirt and paved "Savannah Way" in Australia in July-August 2006. The 48 spoke 26" wheels with PW hubs did much better that the derailler, BB, chain and brake cable... They basically fell apart. The wheels were great - even when they went at about 90 degrees to the direction of travel when I ran into patches of "bull dust".

I forded rivers in NW Queensland and E Northern Territory because there are no bridges there. When the Shimano BB had troubles I decided to put in a PW BB - so when I returned to Canada I ordered one.

Now as soon as a muscle tear on the sole of my L foot heals I will start using the bike again :-)