is carbon the only option for all black (inc braking surface) wheels?

First time looking to build a SS on a budget for short local trips...I would really like all black wheelset but it seems anodised rims turn to crap after a while. I think I know the answer but are carbon clinchers my only option?

For permanently all black yes. Anodised rims will be black but wear off with braking.
Mavic do some kind of special coating on some of their rims which are supposed to stay black for longer but again, not forever

Exalith

As long as you don't mind sending back to Mavic to be resurfaced every year.

Rigida/ryde do a CSS coating to some of their high end touring rims that lasts better than Mavic ceramic/exalith according to the internet... that’s a lifetime of local shop trips... pricey though and weigh a fair bit!
https://www.sjscycles.co.uk/rims-tape/32-rigida-grizzly-700c-622-touring-rim-with-css-side-wall-black/

which are supposed to stay black for longer but again, not forever

Like I said

are carbon clinchers my only option?

No; disc brake(s).

Though that means (also) changing your fork, so probably not suitable for you since you said you're on a budget.

I have DT Swiss Dicut Oxic 1400 or whatever they're called. Black aluminium rims and the surface hasn't worn at all bar from where some small bits have got stuck in the brake blocks and physically stretched it. They're 99% black still.

disc brakes

🙌🏻

I’d heard they were dead?

cheers for all the replies everyone. I'll have a think... it'll only be ridden in the dry and not too far, so maybe anodized will last a little longer than your average commuter bike and be the most economical option. Or I just suck it up and buy some with a regular uncoated braking surface. I didn't want to spend more than £200.

Could get black ano rims, coaster brake rear and front drum brake (lol) and bam! Anodizing won't get rubbed off by braking. Or you could get a rim brake for the front and only use it when you need to stop in a hurry.. that should prolong the life of the braking surface.

On second thoughts - disc brake front and coaster brake or fixed rear makes more sense, then you just need disc compatible forks. If the whole frameset is set up for disc brakes then discs probably a better option

Fulcrum Racing Zero Nites also...I have also been mulling this over, purely for aesthetics, but the all-black alloy wheelsets are all significantly more expensive than their non-black equivalents. I am going to wait until the Fulcrum Racing 55s supplied with my Cube Litening actually need replacing, then decide! The DT Swiss PR1400 Oxics can be had for £659.99 at Acycles. That is the cheapest of the main all-black alloy options, I believe.

I have Open Pro CD rims on my road bike. They’re gray. I never toads the bike in the rain, but dust between braking surface and brake pad made them scratch. Now, a couple hundred kms later rims are starting to show some marks.

CSS is the answer here.

It’s grey not black, and stupidly Ryde put it on black rims, not grey. Duh.

Just install brakeless.

keep a sharpie in your pocket?