thanks for the advice.

we'll try rebuilding the wheel first. all the wheels i've had built in china have been
total poop. not centered, not stress-relieved, crappy cast-iron spokes. i'm no wheel-
building sensei, but the few mtb wheels i've built have held up to light touring in rough
conditions.

we'll go with stainless pillar sr14, 2.2/2.0/2.2. 2- or 3-cross, depending on whether
it would overlap the spoke heads. won't know until he brings the bike over tomorrow.

if 28 spokes just won't support his weight, then we can try a 32 rear.