There have been several reports, on forums and in the trade press, about the issue of heat, due to excessive braking, causing problems with carbon clinchers. The heat can cause the resin to melt and the rim to deform.

It does not seem to be much of an issue with tubulars as there are supports behind the braking surface. Clinchers have a much thinner wall behind the braking surface.

Newer carbon clinchers have been designed to reduce the likelihood of such heat-related failures. Additionally, most manufacturers report that the problem is mitigated by using their specific brake pads.

This is not a widely reported problem on wheels with aluminum braking surfaces.