The hubbub method always seemed a bit of a bodge to me, which is why I use a shiftmate. It's worked absolutely fine for years. I'm sure the hubbub method works fine too, or people wouldn't use it, but seeing as I have a shiftmate and I'm happy with it, I'll continue with it.
I may or may not get a new rear mech - if I do (and it would probably be the Deore) the only reason for doing so is for piece of mind before setting off on a 2000+ mile tour. The mechs are just about the only things left from the original build. The shifters are too actually, but they got a refurb at Condor a little while ago.
The front mech seems fine, but the barrel adjuster on the rear is seized and the adjustment screws are very rusty. I could probably nick some from another mech actually....