I need a new cheap SS wheelset and this thread helped a bit. i also ride in LA, where the street quality is definately worse than santa cruz, possibly better than east oakland. Im on the east (poor) side of town and not surprisingly the streets are much smoother on the rich side of town.

Advice for anybody bending their rims or clydesdales, run 32c or 35c street slicks at 90psi, much smoother ride and more protection for the wheel.