I have a set of Hunt carbon disc gravel wheels. They are very rarely used for off road riding, generally road. That said the roads are generally potholed country lanes.
They've performed faultlessly (bar one spoke which popped out) and am very happy with them.
That said they've now done about 12000 miles.
How long would I expect the hubs and rims to last before I encounter a significant failure?
I notice Hunt have a Sale on at the moment and was considering getting another set as back up. That said; if it's thought they're not halfway through a life then I'll leave it!
Can't answer your question but intrested in replies as I have just invested in a road bike that has carbon wheels...
Carbon is use for commercial aircraft fuselage and wing structures and intended to last a minimum of 25years. This is a bonded and bolted structure. As such, I wouldn’t be inherently worried about the material. As for the particular application and manufacturers method of manufacture - how long is a piece of string?
I wouldn’t be (and am not) concerned about carbon life. I’d check it as often as I check any other component - infrequently at best.
I have a set of tubular carbon Zipp 440 rims in 28h. I’ve just rebuilt the rear onto a track hub. They date from 1992-3 based on green logos, so thirty years. They had an easy life on a raw TT bike for many years before I bought them, but they are still fine. Funnily enough, building up the non-dished rear wheel was simple, and the rigidity of the deep section wheel meant almost no truing was needed. Most rims died from over-tension pulling through spokes
Excepting worn out pawls and bearings, a set of well built disc wheels should pretty much last until they're not compatible anymore, or you damage them.
I know people with twice that milage (and more) on wheels.