Originally Posted by
Al1943
32 spokes should be OK but 36 would be better, especially for the rear wheel. Spoke count is important but so is the component quality and maintenance. You'll have less trouble if you keep the spoke tension up where it should be and keep the rim true and the tires fully inflated.
Al
If he were running a 700C wheel, 36 would make some difference but since he's riding a mountain bike with smaller wheels 32 will do fine. 32 spoke 26" wheels are much more common, too.