Originally Posted by
bblair
I see the grooves, but did not know that they also function as wear indicators. Here is what my front looks like today; the rear is similar.
I mostly ride on good roads and here in Ohio we have some very steep, but short hills. None of those 20 mile descents through the mountains. And I am not a "Clydesdale."
If there's any doubt bring them to LBS and ask their mechanic.
It isn't time that kills rims, it's use of brakes, and any grit that gets between the rims and brake pads. So the fact that someone else's same ones are worn after X years isn't a problem in and of itself. Really hard to get good enough pictures to say over the internet, so if the wear indicators aren't readable get a second opinion.
The thing is nice carbon rims will wear out too. It'll take years but I was never willing to shell out for really good ones with rim brakes. I got an affordable set to try and they didn't brake as well as I was used to with alloy.