weight weenie aside, you don't need it to be heavy as a tank to be reliable.

a good build of the rim and proper amount of spokes is more important than the actual rim, save some cheap aluminum rims.
Buy something nice, the metallurgy of aluminum rims drastically changes when you go from a bargain bin rim to a mid priced ($60-80/RIM).

This said, if you run any rim into a curb repeatedly your going to have a bad time. Riding technique will help in this case. It would be the same if you drove a car into a curb repeatedly. I wouldn't go out and buy solid stainless rims for my car if they were available just so I could practice poor technique. This is in no means directed at any individual since I don't know anyone here but its been my experience.


Plus, all of that rotating mass makes it a bear to accelerate. it feels fine when riding it, but when you get the lighter wheel set on you feel so free.