Cycling in wet weather with rim brakes can wear the sidewalls of the rim over time. I'd stay away from higher priced, lighter rims made for road racing.

I'd go with either Sun CR18 or Mavic MA3 rims. Both cost around 70 bucks a set (half the price of Mavic open pros). Both are stonger than open pros as well-- but you guessed it-- the're also a bit heavier. For the money, the cost per mile for these rims is likely the best buy you can make.

I'd search using froogle or some other search engine for a pre-built wheel set using these two rims, 32 to 36 spokes and hubs that aren't total junk. The trick is to wait and hit the right sale. I got a pair of 700 wheels from Performance with Mavic MA3 rims and Shimano 105 hubs for $140 last year-- really nice wheels at close to half off the QBP retail price. Shop around for a deal-- don't rush it. (I'm the rush kind of guy myself, so I know it's not easy sometimes)

Velocity makes a good product-- those deep V style rims would be fine. Pair them with good sealed SS hubs and you've got a quality wheelset with a lot of bling. Get a chrome bag and learn to track stand. You'll be super cool. Chicks dig fixie riders.

You could also just go down to a pawn shop and buy an old steel MTB, put street tires on it and ride. Cheaper than a new wheelset and you get a whole bike.

City riding often really doesn't require a top end bike because of lights and traffic. I go about 12 mph across town-- on an old MTB or top end road bike, it doesn't matter much. So I ride bikes that could be described as *craptastic* or *beater bikes*-- I seem to get around OK, however.