Hub Opinions for a touring bike

[jim]

I am in the process of building a touring bike with a Jamis Nova frame and would like some opinions on hubs and rims to use. The bike has 130 spacing, but I am told can be respaced to 135. I want to use a 700c tire.I have considered Dura-ace hubs-36 hole or XT (I can get a good deal on them). If I respace and use the XT I think I can get 40 or 48 hole hubs. Let me know what you think.
Thanks,
Jim

[wanderingwheel]

I would go with the XT hubs.  135 spacing builds a stronger wheel, and the hubs are cheaper.  If you have confidence in your wheel builder, 36 spoke is generally fine even for large loads.  If you have had wheel problems before or you are especially strong, 40 spokes is not unreasonable.  48 spoke is tandem strength and probably overkill.

Sean Smith