Mick F wrote:I think that is a matter of opinion.recordacefromnew wrote:Cartridges bearings are not specific to low end or high end hubs/wheels in my view. For example afaik all current Mavic wheels have cartridge bearings.
Maybe some better quality wheels have cartridge bearings, but those wheels aren't expected to live for long. Once the rims are worn, that's it. Pay more for your wheels, and you'll get cup and cone.
With better hubs, you have cup and cone bearings that can be maintained easily and repaired easily. These tend to be on the better wheel-sets or on good handbuilt wheels.
It is untrue that cup and cone bearings are necessarily let alone easily repairable. I am unaware of any current Shimano cup and cone hub, irrespective of price, that can be properly repaired when the cup is pitted, unless it happens to be the one inside the freehub which is replaceable with the freehub. On the other hand, a cartridge bearing is always entirely replaceable just like other consummables. Don't get me wrong, I think cup and cone hubs are fine, and it is true that the typical Campag or Shimano cup and cone hub is more generic so hub replacement choice is wide, but that is not to say that cup and cone are necessarily "better" compared to cartridge bearings.
Talking about high end / best hubs, afaik no King or Royce has cup and cone bearings. Wheelsmith, e.g., consider King the best hubs for handbuilt wheels.