Thread in lieu of wire:

Pro: Fast & easy; no need to tie in another material; may not smash the flues as readily as some wire; no added bulk at tie-off point

Con: More easily damaged than a wire rib, though twisting up a loop of thread into a doubled strand may improve durability

I've gone to twisting herl with my working thread (fairly tightly) almost always. Easily done on a Norvise; more trouble but worth it with hackle pliers and a dubbing hook.

I use a wire or tinsel rib only where it enhances the body.