At about 180 lbs. and figuring that I may sometimes be carrying 20 or 30 lbs. of junk over some dodgy pavement the wheels on the Portland don't exactly inspire confidence, and having a to buy a second set or of "normal" disc brake wheels to have as substitutes or as "just in case" backups really jacks up the Portlands price. Maybe if I was 5' 7" or less and a sylphlike 130 lbs. ;)

There are multiple clydesdales (200lbs+ without all the gear) commuting on DB equipped CX bikes in all weathers and conditions.

I don't have a problem with disc brakes (other than the cost because I'm cheap) it's the 24 spokes on the Portland's wheels that scare me. Fine for racing, but for day in day out reliability I'm not sold.

I don't think it's the disk brakes he's concerned with, but rather, the Portland's stock wheelset with only 24 spokes in a paired-spoke arrangement. See the pic of my bike above in post 20.

I'll admit I was deeply suspicious of these wheels myself, but bought the bike anyway hoping never to need the five-year warranty.

I weigh 170 (on a good day, more on others) and have loaded the bike with 50-60 pounds of groceries at times, although my usual commute gear is 10–15 pounds. Freeze/thaw cycles, especially in spring, leave Rochester's streets with a moonscape appearance.

I put 4,600 miles on my Portland in the first year of ownership (which just ended). I own two sets of these $289 wheels, using the second set for my snow tires in winter, and cyclocross tires in the three-seasons. The wheels with the road tires have roughly 3,600 miles on them, and the wheels for the snow/cyclocross tires have roughly 1,000 miles on them.

The winter/cyclocross wheels have never needed truing. The rear wheel of the road set has been trued once.

I flat-spotted the front wheel of the road set while drafting a chick in a Jetta at over 30 MPH when I hit a huge crater that I knew was there, but forgot about in the excitement. I chalk this up to pilot error rather than equipment failure. A new hoop was $35, and the LBS charged their usual $50 build fee. Interestingly, the tire never pinch-flatted and I finished the ride to work, then rode to the LBS and back home.

Overall, the wheels seem more durable than they appear. My only issue is that they're a little flexy laterally. Then again, allowing a little flex may be the key.