I run Velocity Deep-V's in 26", 36h, built by Peter White on my LHT. He told me that he would not worry about giving me (200 lbs, and fully loaded) a 32h Deep-V rim for touring. Apparently, he uses 36h for tandem MTBs if I remember correctly. I still went with 36h just because I figured that 4 extra spokes wouldn't kill me and would be a good idea. I ran Continental Travel Contacts (26x1.75") across Canada last summer without so much as a flat tire or a bump on the rim.