Chris kings are very good,but like you say are a lot of money,and need very expensive tools to do a full service.Last years
Hopes are good value,but i broke a rear axle,and have had problems with pawl springs, and the pickup isnt that good,and seem to wear bearings quite quickly.
My favourites and what i am running at the moment are Hadley hubs,Easy to service and seem very reliable,Will be building another set of wheels on Hadley hubs,probably with Stans Alpine rims and cx-ray spokes.
I also have a set of Mavic SX’s with the latest 4 pawl hub,Been excellent have just replaced the Bearings after 2 years,riding all year a couple of times a week,including a few trips up to wales and an uplift day at Cwmcarn.