Originally Posted by
acorn_user
Try to think how you ride. Are you good at avoiding holes in the road and general road debris? Do you like to ride over curbs? Are you heavy, or do you ride with a heavy load? Riding into things and being heavy put a strain on components. If you don't do these things then you can get away with lighter components or fewer spokes. I tend to be cautious and go for 36 spokes on strong box rims (e.g. Open Pro). Wheels like I recommended, well built, will last you years. Way past your 2nd Tri!
I avoid debris and holes as much as possible. I weigh 205lbs... I was told by one of the guys at my lbs that rims with fewer spokes are just as sturdy, if not tougher, because the spokes are built to hold more load/stress....