Stock rims are plenty strong enough. They bend because people dont check their spoke tension !! Ok they're heavy but so what on an heavily laden travel bike !!
Steel is less likely to break or crack than alloy.. Its much more flexible. You can bang a steel rim back into shape at the side of the road or in a tin pot workshop. That is much harder to do with alloy. It will probably crack if it hasn't already..
As for David Lambeth... He's a total rip off merchant. Knowledgeable, but no more than many here who won't charge you for advice or £1500 for £15 worth of vice bent welded scrap metal.
Lots more rip off stories available on request.
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Did some trips.
Rode some bikes.
Fix them for a living.
Can't say anymore.
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