Get these handbuilt wheels and use a 700 x 25c or 28c tire:

Quality Wheels 700c Front Wheel - 105 Hub Laced to Black Velocity A23 - 32H in Tree Fort Bikes Wheels (cat113)

Quality Wheels 700c Rear Wheel - 105 Hub Laced to Black Velocity A23 - 32H in Tree Fort Bikes Wheels (cat113)

These are excellent wheels. Quality does a fine job of making sure that the wheels are properly tensioned and true.

The velocity A23 is a little wider than most rims. There are a lot of threads discussing why this is a plus in a wheelset:

Reinventing the Wheel: The 25mm Revolution

A good pair of wheels like this will last a heck of a long time and cost you significantly less than $500.