Originally Posted by
Campag4life
A $2K set of wheels is likely carbon. The highest end wheels are stiff and light with the highest priority on speed. Stiff is generally uncomfortable for the average cyclist like the OP. Racers accept stiff for more speed because speed is the priority. Light has diminishing return for speed...once you get to 1500g for the average rider.
lennyparis - yes, you're the Original Poster - IMO the above is some of the best advice you've received. If you want a set of wheels which will transmit your power effectively and also be comfortable for long rides, your best bet is a set of handbuilt aluminums. Rob at PSImet built my rear wheel. Outstanding craftmanship. Rob tends to be conservative - he's posted as much above - so his wheels will tend to not have the lowest spoke counts. The upside is that if a wheel ever gets damaged, which can happen in group rides, you should be able to ride it home.
As someone else posted, you might want to see if you can test ride some carbons. (Rob does build carbons.)