Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Bianchi Volpe Stock 36h Wheelset

Hi guys,
I'm a 23yo clyde (6'. 255lbs) just getting into cycling. I broke my back a few years ago, and put on a lot of weight in the recovery period and following year or two, when I was mostly sedentary. My lbs has a bianchi volpe from 2006 which is on sale at a pretty nice price, $675 for my size. The wheelset is a combination of tiagra hubs, and alex ACE 19 36h Rims. They seem pretty solid, but i think i'm going to swap out at least the tires for some 28mm road tires, and I might swap out the wheelset if it isn't strong enough. Any suggestions for wheels, or do you think the stock setup would be pretty solid? Also, any good puncture resistant tire suggestions that come in a 700x28 size?
Thanks!
Chris

while they might be a little heavier than others, I have had good luck with the Bontrager Race Light Hardcase. Lot's of construction around me and I only had 1 flat from a 3" finish nail. Nothing would have stopped that nail.

They are decent wheels, I would say middle of the road.. See how they hold up before buying new one.. 700x28 Conti Gatorskins are solid for fast + good puncture protection..

You will get many saying Mavic Opens Pro or Velocity Deep V rims.. If you want super beefy, then look at Mavic A319 or A719's..

I'd say try out the stock wheels too.

Of course, if you are paranoid like I am about wheels, have the LBS Mechanic or a wheelbuilder re-tension the wheels by hand before you leave the LBS with the purchased bike. That's what I do, short of replacing the whole wheelset, which would probably be more expensive. Besides, there's no need to throw away a perfectly functional wheelset.

Keep the wheels and the stock tires. The Volpe is a cyclocross bike, and you can have some fun with it on easy single track. Take fat_bike_nut's advice and ask to have the spoke tension checked out.

Keep the wheels. I hit a Volpe of a riding partner who pulled out in front of me (long story) at a good clip. The wheels on the Raleigh I was riding at the time were thrown way out of true, the front one at least, while his rear wheel was only barely thrown out of true - and it took the brunt of the hit. He was about 200lbs at the time.

Basically, yes, don't worry about the wheels/tires. Same guy also has a Bianchi Giro roadbike, and says he doesn't tell "that much" difference between riding them.

thanks for all the replies. I think i'll stick to the stock wheels, and get them retensioned. I guess the thing i was going for was maybe to get a lighter weight/more aerodynamic wheelset that would also be stronger, but right now, the best thing i can do for speed is drop 60 pounds or so :-p The stock tires would be fun on some trails, but i'm in south jersey, and as far as I know, there really aren't very many around here, so i'll probably get some gatorskin tires. thanks for the advice!