Originally Posted by
Salamandrine
36 spokes for sure. This is why: it gives you extra insurance to be able to continue to ride even if you break a spoke, allowing you to fix it later at camp or in the next town, rather than call for help.
36 spoke wheel does not mean heavy btw. We used to race on them. Heavy or light is a separate decision. I'd think frankly at 180lb total, you could ride something pretty light and be just fine. BITD I did long tours on 36h sew up wheels with ordinary 350g training rims. With clinchers the equivalent would be about 100g more. Perhaps a Sun M13 is a good choice, or maybe go up to CR18 for a bit of extra insurance. I would choose 28c tires if riding on asphalt, go to 32 if you will be mixing in some gravel roads.
Butted spokes make a more durable wheel, but they aren't strictly necessary.
I suggest you don't buy used wheels unless you are a pro mechanic. Rebuild yours at your LBS, or if you are on a budget, get a pair from velomine. I couldn't build my own wheels for what they sell a new pair for.
+ 1 on all of this.
You don't want a wheel to fail on you when touring. Unless you know what you're doing buy new.
Velomine is a great place for decent quality wheels at a reasonable price.
Velocity makes first rate touring wheels but they're aren't cheap at $400 a pair. Still you get a quality product at that price that will be (or should be) trouble free:
Velocity Wheels - Hand Made in USA
quality bikes also makes fine wheels like this pair
Quality Wheels Pavement Rim Brake Rear Wheel 700c 36h Deore LX T670 / Velocity DYAD Silver - Modern Bike
Quality Wheels Pavement Front Wheel 700c 36h Shimano LX / Velocity Dyad / DT Champion All Silver - Modern Bike