Originally Posted by
Campag4life
While..in bold makes sense...I guess my question is...why start with an uber stiff rim to begin with?...if you end up adding a lot of spokes anyway. Enter short height flexible rim Open Pro. Can't wheel stiffness be achieved with 'any rim' with enough spoke count? So why not start with a lighter flexible rim?..if objective is to run high spoke count.
Exactly.....and yet....
Look back at how we used to lace those old thin flexy rims. We used to overspoke the hell out of them. What makes the OP in 32 spoke a combo that almost everyone on forums or in shops recommends? Because the OP is a flimsy rim and once you get 32 or more spokes on it and they are big gauge spokes you end up with a soft riding, durable wheel. Soft riding comes from the rim, durable comes from the spoke count.
Aerodynamics is a punk though. You need the depth for aero. Well....depth, width and overall shape for aerodynamics. The carbon provides the ability to build deep sections at incredibly high stiffness and substantially lower weight than if we did it in aluminum. Less spokes = more aero. Thus you end up in the quandary we are currently in.
I have an old saying - I NEVER lost a single race because I had too many spokes. I have lost every single race I have ever been in because: 1. I didn't train enough. 2. I didn't want it as much as the next guy. 3. I lack any sort of talent needed to win.
YMMV
In general though I find that racers at all levels greatly appreciate how I build when compared to industry standards such as Zipp. Huge difference in stiffness.