[Closed] We done the exploding plastic wheels?

so aerodynamic drag as an aid to braking is not very effective other than at very high speeds

I don't, I'm like an old woman.

Clearly you don't descend fast enough - at typical alpine descending speeds getting out of your tuck and sitting up (still on the drops) to take the wind slows you significantly.

And for those of us who do hit the Alpine descents how many of us are really hitting them like a Pro?

Typically amateur riders will be harder on brakes than pros as they can hit the same straight line speeds comfortably enough but only have half the road to play with on the corners so have to slow more.

Someone stopping to avoid a bin lorry on a steep descent on Chinese rims IIRC.

That was me 8)
There's half a dozen descents round here that would overheat rims.
In my time in Lbs's I've seen failed rims (both clincher and tubs) from just about every manufacturer.

[url= https://www.bikerumor.com/2017/12/14/enve-mavic-boyd-respond-alto-cyclings-carbon-rim-brake-test/ ]Mavic, Enve and Boyd respond to test[/url], they agree with points made here - Alto do so well because it appears their rims generate lower friction, so yes, they don't heat up as much, but they also don't stop as well. They also say their rims would have stopped you so much earlier they're effectively penalising better braking performance. Mavic just say they're lying (paraphrasing).