Road Wheels & Road Wheel Recommendations?

What's stupid about straight pull spokes? RS80 C24s have conventional exposed nipples and even come with a dedicated spoke spanner. The spokes are readily available (though not cheap). No problem to service really.

The quality/weight/performance balance of the RS80s is better than any of the wheelbuilds you'll get for similar money. IMO.

Swings and roundabouts, I think. Both are good choices.

I have the 7850 C24s and at the time I bought them you could not source a replacement spoke for love nor money. Also worth considering: if you break a rim (it does happen!), you're out to the tune of a new wheel, rather than 50 quid for an A23 rim.

The hubs are Ultegra, which are OK, but I like the ease of just swapping out sealed bearings (though admittedly this presents it's own challenges if the hub shell is very thin!)

Plus they're not especially light: 1,521g. Not saying an A23 build would be lighter, just I don't think this is really a differentiator.

A23 is a wider rim, which is great if you believe the hype (I do).

I'm not some massive A23 fanboi, but they do the job for me e.g. got me around Flanders in one piece. The DA have stayed in the bag pretty much since I bought them.