I started this thread (http://www.bikeforums.net/showthread.php?t=91843) in the mechanics forum.

it is for a single,but the weight is as much or more then some tandem teams, I thought i would ask for advice here as well. thanks.

Been riding as a duo for 3 decades and have never owned a set of 48 spoke wheels. 36H front and rear has worked for us. Currently 32 and 36H on our c/f tandem.
But we are a fairly light team, about 245 lbs. total rider weight.

thanks for the input of your experiance. I actualy found a new, handbuilt,40 spoke shimano tandem hub laced to a ryno lite rim and he let it go for 85$. a guy bought the parts and had it built and never came to get it! his loss is my gain. thanks again