ausdb, Nothing spoils a ride more than anticipating something negative to happen. Use what gives you confidence. I tend to overbuild the wheelset, even after going from 205 lbs. to 185 lbs. because real world pavement might bite me in the butt 50 miles into a 100 mile ride.

Brad

I think I would ask for more options. At your size I would be looking for something with a few more spokes. Velocity is in AUS and I hear good things about their factory wheels. Will they give you credit toward something built custom?

I have been really happy with the Roval Fusee SL 25 replacement for the EL28. I am 185 lb and have had no issues with the SL 25 wheels. They are quite true and the spoke tension is near perfect. The bearings are exceptionally smooth.

My older bike had Mavic Kysrium Elites. They were a little heavier and less aerodynamic than the Roval SL 25, but I suspect they will handle a heavier rider quite well. I thought they were excellent wheels at a comparable price to the EL28.

ausdb:
Based on your experience, I am really happy I didn't have Specialized do a factory rebuild. If you get the Rapides, please post your experience with them.

If you can swing it- The Krysium elites are a good wheel. I have the cheaper Aksiums on one of my bikes that is out with my son-in-law and he is around 200. We did have a spoke problem after about 1,000 miles in the front but that was probably down to him catching some shrubbery in it about 100 miles before hand.

I personally have the Ultegras but I am light at 150 lbs so although I would recommend them- don't know about your weight on them

Cheers for the comments so far, I am not a fan of proprietary wheelsets full stop so will be giving the Ksyriums with their fancy spokes a miss.
The question of custom wheels has been on my mind as I really like the look of the Velocity A23's or the C-4 V22's and have been thinking of building a set up anyway in 24f,28r or 24f,32r depending on what hubs I use as I enjoy building wheels myself.
Looking at it from a financial perspective I can probably sell the Rapides for a decent sum, then buy the rims and hubs and do the build myself with a bit of pocket money left to go towards a Garmin 800! ;)

I like the way you are thinking. I like the wide rim idea, too. I''ve been considering those same rims for a future build.