To all CR members:
I have no experience with wood rims, but I recall reading that there are a few overwhelming advantages to alloy rims (corrections welcome):
1. Alloy rims have better fade resistance since the heat of braking is dispersed throughout the rim. The rim and pad surfaces stay cooler. I also recall reading that fade occurs in brake pads because one of the composing materials of the pad has reached vaporization temperature.
2. Alloy rims' material characteristics do not have the heat induced risk of abrupt rim fracturing. In contrast, since the braking heat in a wood rim remains on the surface, the wood may get too hot and crack.
3. Early cyclists probably got tired of broken rims, in addition to broken collarbones, after taking a header!
4. The Bugatti 35B automobile (1927?) was famous for a braking system design which dispersed braking heat into the spokes of the alloy wheels. The first designs were so successful that the tires suffered from blowouts!
[I had a plastic model version of the 35B when I was in high school. Bugatti had one of the best winning streaks at Le Mans, until Ferrari came along.]
regards,
Andrew Gillis (pending a weekend of rain in Long Beach, CA)