Yet another entry in the possibilities to get me the slightly less wide form factor 22-23mm options (and hopefully avoiding tire spread).. anyone with experience with the Blackset Race wheels? I'm liking the weight listings fwiw also.

Blackset Race 26 700c Wheel Set

I think just referring to possibility of tire not fitting on bike due to wider rim width.

Found this article.. kinda what everyone knows but nice rundown on effects of rim widths with various tires.
How Bicycle Rim Width Effects Tire Width and Contact Patch

If that's what they meant, "careful" is not the right word at all, as you'd have to go out of your way to select a tire not to fit the Novembers.

I've ordered a set of Vittoria Elusions from Merlin Cycles for $320 or so. They seem to fit some of your requirements (perhaps a bit heavier than the ones you're looking for) so you might want to give them a look. I have no idea how they compare to any of the other options in here, but I liked the looks and the price.

Thanks.. size, price and dimensions are good.. though I'm not comfortable with the 16/21 spoke count; if I went with some of the other options I'd be getting 20/24 or even 24/28 builds.

These might be worth a look (but are they 10-speed only?)

Pacenti | eBay

i meant careful in that tires of a same size class (28mm for instance) will vary wildly in height and width on the Pacenti rims depending on the manufacurer/design. It took a bit of experimentation for me to find the right tire to fit my brake track correctly. Fwiw, the panaracer 26mm fits smaller than the conti4 25mm.

Ah, ok, I think I got ya... so you mean fitting the brake track as in getting a smooth transition from the sidewall to rim for aero effect?