In all reality, there is very little chance you would ever wear out the h'ard style ring.

The Sic guides do offer some advantages, lighter, smoother, harder. They will help to maintain the blanks sensitivity.

Personally, the Fuji Alconite, or any of the Zirconium Rings (Forecast, AmTak, PacBay) go on most of my rods.

If you are looking for the ultimate in performance, go Sic, and use the smallest guides possible on tip of the rod.