Summer/Winter Wheels

none of this stuff makes much difference to cat 4 riders or hobbyists in my experience. I often see guys on very basic kit out-riding guys on high-end stuff on club rides and races. couple of summers ago i managed to beat one of the rapha guys on our way up box hill. he was on zipps, i was on 105/open pro/gp4000s trainers.
carbons feel awesome, but at the level most of us ride that's about the only reason to buy them.

The bottom would fall out of the carbon wheel market. If we bought based on real life gain. The biggest real world gain I get from mine. Is the fact that I find myself compelled to ride at 110% effort, whenever I'm on them. So as not to look like a 'all ther gear - no idea' twat (which is what I am)

Mine also look and feel nice. I like nice things.