Yeah, it's not at all clear to me that USB connectors aren't worth "thousands" of insertion/removal cycles. They look very well thought out, plenty of contact area. Looks like it depends on the thickness of the gold contacts, per this supplier: http://www.globalconnectortechnology.com/usb-connectors/

  USB2.0 Full Size: 1,500 mating cycles, gold flash plating.
  USB2.0 Mini: 5,000 mating cycles, 15µ” gold plating. 
  USB2.0 Micro: 10,000 mating cycles, 30µ” gold plating.
  USB3.0 Full Size: 5,000 mating cycles, 30µ” gold plating.
  USB 3.0 Micro: 10,000 mating cycles, 30µ” gold plating.

With an added comment:

Why Micro types offer better durability?

Accomplished by moving leaf-spring from the PCB receptacle to plug, the most-stressed part is now on the cable side of the connection.

Inexpensive cable bears most wear instead of the µUSB device.

Plus as you note, it's easy to make it a cheap replaceable part. Use a USB extension cable on the computer side and you won't be wearing that out (I've done that trick in times past).