To rebuild or not to rebuild

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Campagnolo
Moskva 80
ETRTO 13,5x622
6000 Series Alloy-T6

 

I've recently bought a Shimano 105 Group Set from a friendly hubber.  I now want to upgrade my wheel from a 7 speed cassette to a 9 speed cassette.  Before I have the wheel rebuilt there are a few things I would like to clarify.

 

I know a cyclist almost my parents? age who?s been cycling since his student days and has been the SA Track Champion a few times.  He once mentioned that a wheel with a deeper rim has a longer life than other rims.  Someone else who owns a cycle shop told me that Campagnolo rims are better than some other rims, but they don?t last as long.

 

I want to know how I can determine the life that is left in this rim and if it would be worthwhile to have it rebuilt.<?: prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />

 

I could get a 10 speed Tiagra hub for R315, 105 for R620, Ultegra for R900.  If I go with the Tiagra, rebuilding the wheel would cost me around R425.  The wheel currently has a 105 hub.  I also would like to know if the 105 is R300 ligter than the Tiagra or is it made of R300 better material, R300 better bearings or is the R300 for the name and status of having 105?

 

I could probably buy a new wheel set for a good price on the hub, there was a pair of Easton Vistas for R1,500, but I would have to run it by the boss first.  We decided that my wife would become a home mom when our first child is born.  Everything went well until I started cycling.  I joined a cycle club, bought gear and extras, flew down for the Argus etc.  The credit card company now wants to sell me life insurance to pay off my debt when I die.  My wife keeps on reminding me what we need for the house.  I would rather spend the least amount possible to get my 9 speed cassette on the rear.

 

I normally race on a tandem with my friend, but I need this bike to train on.  I have done a race with it as well.