Aye, I use the shims on the brakes, too.
I've not had to replace any bits on my road bike as yet, though had a fairly long lay-off, so it hasn't taken too much punishment.
I've flirted with the idea of carbon, but wasn't overly convinced by its durability or comfort (though there probably isn't much in it when compared with alu).
When I first started riding the road bike, and for a while thereafter, I tended to get the head down and feel I was obliged to hammer it at all costs. I returned home from what should have been a scenic route one afternoon, and couldn't remember even looking about and taking in the views during the ride. This struck me as a bit daft, and I realised I was missing out. I'll never race, or compete in time trials, so I had a bit of a re-think as to what I was looking to get out of my riding. I realised I enjoyed have a relatively light, fast bike that could get me places in decent time and in relative comfort, but I also wanted to enjoy being outdoors, and active.
Don't get me wrong, I enjoy thrashing it occasionally, and got the head down during my commute yesterday because the roads were quiet and I was feeling good, but I now know how to get more from my riding. I reckon I still prefer the road bike (I've also got a MTB and a folder), but I've now realised that I should use it for my purposes, rather than trying to adapt to what I assumed was it's - not sure if that makes any sense, but hey ho!