andym said:Erm, what reputation? So far as I know XT hubs have a pretty good reputation - and I can think of more expensive hubs that have had problems (I've seen examples of Rohloff hubs failing too). A 40-hole hub is inevitably going to be weaker simply because of the number of holes - and I think it's a red herring. To be honest I doubt you'd get better than Shimano. A quick check suggests that Shimano XT hubs are heavier then SLX hubs (411g vs 384G). Personally I can't see any reason not to go for XT.
I was referring to willem's comment: "There have been enough reports of XT hubs failing to not be surprised. The 40 hole xt rear hubs (not the tandem one) have a nasty reputation."
I've no experience of, or contact with, their reputation myself, only my own experiences of them.
I'd be inclined to agree with you, andym - I see no major reason not to go back to Shimano. Nothing is going to be guaranteed unbreakable.