TOTAL noob to wheel building issues here, and I have a question that might also help answer the OP's original question:

There are factors that would suggest a higher spoke count, and there are factors that would suggest a lower count, and the trick is to find the balance that matches your needs. (Okay - that's a blinding flash of the obvious )

The question is:

• What factors would argue in favor of a higher spoke count? (Stronger wheel, I suppose - but what else?
• And conversely, what factors would argue in favor of a lower count? (I'm guessing lighter and aero, and maybe cool looks? What else?)

I.e. - we're trying to get the balance between - what factors.?