Originally Posted by
John E
I know reduced spoke count wheels are all the rage because of their reduced air turbulence, but I still prefer 32 or 36 spokes per wheel for reliability and limp-home capability.
+1
early in my career I worked for an aluminum company and we visited one of our plants that manufactured aluminum guardrail systems. Even as aluminum guys we were surprised and asked: Is aluminum strong enough to use as guardrail? The answer was: "Neither steel nor aluminum guardrail is strong enough to stop a direct hit. The strength in either lies in how many posts there are and how close together they are".
I apply the same logic to wheels. A strong rim cannot make up for a fewer spokes.
Fewer spokes make a weaker wheel.
The question is: Is it strong ENOUGH?
Perhaps the answer is: You don't need 36 spokes -- until you do.