With a conventional spoked wheel this is correct because alternating spokes pull in opposite directions. Lowering the spoke count means the spokes are farther apart, which causes the rim to bend one way and then the other at each spoke. To prevent this you must make the rim stronger and heavier.

Not true with paired spokes. Two spokes join the rim at the same place and cancel the bending force. That means you can lower the spoke count without having to make the rim stronger and heavier. Go to www.uspto.gov and look at one of Rolf's patents, say 5,445,439. In the background of the invention you can read how he measured forces and deflections as a function of spoke number and spacing. Good stuff!

Tom