I'm looking for a new set of wheels for racing. I would like to go with Ritchey wheels, for misc reasons. I looked at their site and I'm overhelmed with choices. I don't really want to go with carbon wheels, too expensive and I think at **** point benefits don't outweight the price (at least for me). Also I'm not really sure if I should go with clinchers or tubular. I hear tubulars provide better feel for the road, etc, but I'm not sure if I want the hastle of changing the tires when they wore out/punctured.
I personally don't feel there is much use in 'race wheels'
unless they are carbon and tubular, or a least deep-rim and tubular. The fact that you are in a race is a perfect reason to forget the impracticalities of tubs and enjoy the performance benefits (chiefly lighter rims).
The difference between a standard roadman wheel like a Ksyrium and a Zipp 404 is massive, and well worth the upgrade.
Otherwise you might as well forget the upgrade and do some money saving.