-
This is a good question - will a set of high quality full carbon rims, with disc brakes last for 5+ years without issue. Assuming sensible riding, no crashing and a good initial build. Has there been any evidence that carbon rims fail after a certain period?
Seems like you'd need at least 5 years of service to justify the initial outlay. I'm pretty sure you could build new rims on to hubs several times before matching the cost of carbon rims alone. Still want aero carbonz and disc brakes on next bike tho...
TRA-
AFAIK it's difficult to predict service life due to crabonz being made up of multiple things stuck together in different ways. To counter, composite product is kinda overbuilt, but as you can tell, composite engineer I am not.
But I can't help think that if you are buying crabonz with an expectation of durability, you may be doing it wrong. Do it for the bling, aeros etc, but like you hint, get some tasty, cheap alu if definable service life is a required thing.
-
That's the thing, it's the balance of cost over value, practicalities over lust, weight/performance over comfort, etc...
I guess you need a few wheel sets, really, just like we need a few bikes. I have handbuilts on all my (road)bikes. CK classic to Hed+ and Royce to Archetype. I'll upgrade hubs if/when I'm 11 speed, but really they're perfect, easily serviceable and re-buildable.
That said and funds allowing, I would still love to have a pair of Dura Ace C24's and Enve's on a disc set up, despite perhaps not being the best bang for buck.
Howard
b'jammin
Good to look for a reason not to, but it sounds like you made your decision. I know I would go Enve, if I could. Not that I'd know (pffh) but sounds like the rims are worth their entry fee and the fact these will never get worn through braking, makes them fully justified*
*in my mind, for my future road disc project.