I recently got a set of 50mm carbon clinchers and took them to the mountains for the first time this weekend. I thought the braking was just fine, and I was just as fast if not faster on the descents that what I was on my alum clinchers. What we call mountains around here are only 4-6 miles.

What are the specifics to folks that overheat their carbon rims on descents? I only brake right before I enter the turn and then try to haul to the next turn. Are folks braking the whole ride down and thus overheating? Or are they riding like I do, but have much longer descents. I felt the rims at the bottom and couldn't tell any real heat build up.

I'm really asking b/c some of the local mountain events say/suggest no carbon clinchers when you sign up, and I've got to decide if I'm going to listen to that warning. Almost all of my buddies that have carbon clinchers take them to the events but they don't ride the brakes going down the mts either.