Originally Posted by bsyptak
For wheels, the standard is Mavic Open Pros laced to Ultegra Hubs. They work and are around 1800 grams. I'd buy machine made ones as they work just fine. You may have to have them retrued after 2-3-400 miles, but that is the case with all wheels.
There are some really good deals on other wheelsets out there. The Performance Titans are the same as one of the Neuvation wheels (forget the model). They can be had for just over $100 a pair. Less spokes and I'm sure they'll work fine at your weight. Reviews are good. Not as reliable/bombproof/long lasting as the Open Pro/Ultegras, but less weight and look better.
I wouldn't use Ultegra hubs for a commuter bike. I'd go for LX or XT hubs which are cheaper, slightly heavier, but much better sealed. XT hubs are the gold standard for long-lasting bombproof wheels, except for the folks who have waaaay too much money to spend and feel like paying $400 for a Phil Wood hub as opposed to a $50-100 XT hub.
I also wouldn't use Open Pros for a commuter bike, simply because they're a little narrow. If you might want to use 28 or 32 mm tires, while still having the option of running 23 mm tires, go for a rim that's a bit wider than the Open Pros, e.g. something with a 17 mm interior width.
I have the Nashbar cantilever brakes which I paid $20 for the set on sale. They work perfectly (no squeaks on mine) and if they aren't made by Avid or Cane Creek, they work the same. They do not have a smooth surface (sorta baked), so if you want smooth, buy the Avids (silver) or Cane Creeks (blk).
I used the Nashbar Deluxe Cantilever Brakes too, and I totally agree that they're excellent. I got a front-and-back set for only $20 as well. My favorite part is that they use threaded V-brake pads, rather than old-style smooth-post canti pads, which are a pain in the ass to adjust. I have heard that the Nashbar cantis are in fact made by Tektro.