A different era and a different discipline of the sport but buying handmade silk casing Clement Criterium Setas for the race wheels was far more expensive than training tubulars, but far less expensive than losing the front in a Crit in a season ending crash. It's been no secret that high quality supple tires well fitted to rider weight and properly inflated are the way to go for performance in all aspects, but have never been inexpensive.
That being said, do Brevet riders have two wheel-sets to swap w/ lighter, more aero and better shod set for events and training wheels to mule out the big endurance rides, lousy weather and town miles?
-Bandera