Barring a major crash or the most usual bike accident of all entering the garage with a cycle on your auto roof rack your cycle rims will most likely last so long as you can stand riding the same old bike. Generally made from aluminum, edges are light and powerful and are barely ever the source of difficulty on a bike, even in the most difficult riding conditions.
Actually, most bike riders likely never give a single thought to their cycle edges. The circular band of metal that holds in the bike tire and connects it to the wheel center through spokes is simply overlooked. Not like the center, it barely ever causes issues. Unlike tires, it never goes flat or explodes. Heavy cycle racers have some pretty fancy edges, full of the same outrageously colorful advertising that covers their clothing sometimes, but most riders actually have no need for these. Even the fanciest edges, the flattened out, wide, presumably aerodynamic edges you can see on the wheels of the pros, aren’t definitely all that better. They’re, flashier, and in the world of cycling, this reputedly does count for something, perhaps for intimidation.
Do you need to understand anything special about your bicycle rims? Not especially. Most cycles come with edges acceptable to their general quality. You can spend as much cash as you need on a rim like the rest related to the game of bicycling but what comes standard on a bike is possibly satisfactory. Customizing your edges will bring you fancier edges, perhaps lighter edges, likely stronger edges, but the study on what comprises the best edge weight, strength and shape is still principally inconclusive, and since this feature causes so few issues to the recreational rider, you can leave this issue to the pro mechanic who services the cycles of top flight racers. When they have resolved the issue, you may know about it.
In the meantime, if your cycle rims are aluminum, as the majority is today (steel edges are being heavy, carbon edges being dear), there’s very tiny you want to do for them. As with all elements of your cycle, edges should be kept clean of mud and corrosive oils, wiped after long dusty rides and inspected after any crash. Otherwise, do what most riders have always done: forget your cycle edges. You may not be in a position to ride a bike without them, but you actually can’t ride a bike better for pondering this crucial but happily harmless part.