Clydesdales/Athenas (200+ lb / 91+ kg) - Wheels, Tires, Tube schooling needed

I have been looking and riding road bikes for a few weeks because I am ridiculously obsessed with this whole cycling thing now. I am in no particular hurry to obtain one and so I look and ride new ones and search craigslist for something cheap to get started on. Having said that, I am contemplating getting a different wheel set for my 29er, which I love to ride. I have stated before that the majority of the riding I do on it is on pavement, but want the option of still doing trails. So I would like a little info on descent wheels and tires for say 100 to 130 miles a week. The least expensive the better. I am 245lbs now and slowly losing. I realize there are going to be multiple answers to these questions, but all opinions are welcome.

700c are the same as my 29ers? I think I still want a wider slick for the road.

If I get a wheel set I also am going to need a new cassette I would assume?

Is there a specific spoke count and/or pattern I should look for?

I assume I am going to have to learn how to true a wheel, is it rocket science?

I have goggled most of this so I am not completely clueless but you folks break it down a bit better IMO.

many thanks

You will only need a new cassette if old one isn't appropriate for the type riding you do or if it is worn out, otherwise you can remove it and change it to the new wheels.

you should look for 32 or 36 spoke wheels.

truing a wheel isn't rocket science. read up on the subject and go slow (1/4 turns).

Congrats on the 2 lbs. The scales said no weight loss this week but I completed my workouts and didn't cheat on eating so it's just a moral victory for me. Good subject for a thread as I'm less than clueless about this. In fact I don't even know why one would want to do this.

Thanks Jethro56, the pounds are creeping lately. Anyway, I want a ride with less resistance on the road. I could just change tires permanently, which is an option or I can have the convenience of just swamping wheels for what I feel like for the day. I want to do longer rides in the 40 to 60 mile range, so road bike or road tires.

Not being familiar with 29ers, I can't offer advice specific to them, but I will say this: while it may not be necessary to get a new cassette, I would advise that you get one anyway, if you plan to switch wheels with any frequency. It's a whole lot easier and quicker to swap out wheels with cassettes already installed than remove one from one wheel and install on another.

Just my $0.02.

29" and 700c both use the same 622mm rim.

I have been looking for a wheel set to replace OEM on my Globe and found this http://yubaride.com/yubashop/34-utility-bike-wheel-set.html
It is for a freewheel i.e. 7 speed

these Maxxis Holy Roller BMX tires are wicked pissa. I have them on my MTB and my kids loved them on their bikes too

http://www.treefortbikes.com/product/333222339038/544/Maxxis-Holy-Roller-26-x.html

http://www.bizrate.com/bicycle-parts-accessories/oid1546334796.html