I bought the exact same set from Rose with a 26" 719 rim for my off-road bike a few years ago and they are holding up well enough. My hubs came a little tight from the factory so you should check that. Consider the same set with the dynamo hub for $25 more if you think you ever might want lights on your touring bike. As long as you're ordering from Rose, they have great prices on German lights and racks too. Sure it's not a hand-built wheel, but I don't think you'll find a better value. How are you destroying wheels? Are you breaking spokes? You can stress-relive, tension and true the wheels when you get them and they will be every bit as good as a hand-built wheel.