Wait, are you saying that the bearings PW sells are not the same as the bearings that are found in the hubs PW sells? How would that make a lick of sense?

I'm saying that the bearings in PW brand hubs are different from the aftermarket bearings that they sell for other brands of hubs.

fair enough.

I still think phils are kind of overhyped as as being bombproof. How often have do people break hub flanges? I've seen two, both as a result of overtensioned spokes+ a crash. Back when they introduced sealed bearing stuff they probably were better than the competition, but the competition has come a long way.

That said, I have an old phil 6 speed hub, the kind with aluminum flanges that are threaded and bonded onto a steel body, and it still rolls pretty well. I'd like to build a phil wheelset when I have some $$$ and a decent frame to put them on, but thats because they are pretty.

look at the bearing spec sheet(http://www.philwood.com/products/Bearings.pdf) on their website. The replacement bearings for phils are a different size than the ones for formulas and whatnot. They also designate that they have better seals for certain bearings, which include the replacement bearings for phil hubs.

In terms of durability, there really must be a reason they are the go-to hub of rich loaded tourists. It's not so much about the flange as the bearings and axle. Phil specs a larger diameter axle, which is less likely to bend.

Campy Sheriff's are the way to go.

laced radial those are bombproof.

They're pretty popular with tandem riders. In fact my dad has a tandem with them on and they've been running fine on their original bearings since...I don't know, 1970 or so?