Originally Posted by
3speed
... I'm torn on whether to chance a 32 rear or run mismatched wheels. I'd kind of like them to be the same front and rear, though. Hmm... If the triple butted spoke makes that much of a difference, maybe I'll be fine on a 32.
My Lynskey Backroad that I built up last spring, I built that with 36 spoke rear and 32 spoke front. The front has a lot less weight on it so a few less spokes up front should not hurt too much.
I planned to use 36 on front and rear, but the dynohub I wanted for the front was temporarily out of stock in 36 so I decided to switch to 32 for the front to expedite things.
Decades ago some british utility bikes were 32 spoke front and 40 rear because they put the spokes where the weight was.