haha, yeah, I've seen 190 lb guys do cyclocross on 32-spoke front and back wheelsets with normal 17mm wide rims. I think his LBS just wants to sell him a new wheelset because they saw something they were unfamiliar with. The combination of Speedcific hubs + 32 spoke 14 gauge front and rear + Velocity Aerohead rims would even be appropriate for light touring, with a 165 pound person + 30 lbs of gear.