Originally Posted by
bhkyte
Another test is that on a loaded bike the top spokes should still be under tension. Pluck with your hands to test.
Strength also depends on spoke number guage and wheel build quality.
I have 36 on my Mezzo rear wheel, but you load a Mezzo on the back rack and it's a fast bike with narrow tyres on.
Over engineered has proved reliable.
You mean bottom spokes.
George if you intend loading that much then it will be essential to use high spoke tension. Ultimately bottom spokes must never lose tension under load or they will break in short time. Also, you should replace all spokes not just the missing ones. All spokes are compromised on your wheel and will unlikely bear that load without lots more breaking.