How much stronger are 36 over 32 spokes?

Basically it looks like no one knows by how much 36 is stronger than 32. I take the points about, quality of components, dishing and competence of the builder. Also if 32 hole rims are not so widely available I find this the most worrying thing as I like easy 'replace-ability' when on tour.

I have found that very often 'bicycle knowledge' is largely anecdotal and subjective. Bike reviews rely on the 'feel' from the reviewer rather than putting the bikes up head to head with power inputs measured and standard courses used. While I imagine that 36s are stronger than 32s - who knows, makbe they are not (more spoke holes, more friction on spokes).

Simon, I have a very similar feeling about the subjectivity of "bicycle knowledge". The only seemingly competent and analitical article about the bicycle wheel that I found on the net was a very specialistic analysis using finite elements and fatigue testing. Even that, though, didn't help to make the concluding chapter any more clear. The bicycle makers certainly don't use such articles to make bicycles.

For anyone crazy enough to read the article - it's here.
It compares several lacing patterns on a 36-spoke wheel and concludes that ... surprize,surprize ... there is no significant difference.

I have to agree that often the "knowledge" that we have is restricted to our experience and the ones of others. It's certainly not to be discounted but on the other hand, it isn't the holy grail. I can certainly vouch for 32's as being very strudy and reliable as I've been touring(and racing) on the same wheels for several years and I don't remember breaking a spoke. I just came back from central america and although I mostly rode on pavement, I did hit a few rough roads. You could definitely ask the question if a wheel has 40 spokes, you may a better chances of not breaking spokes but then could the rim crack sooner than a 32?

I think the point to be made is that the quality of workmanship and of the components is more important than the configuration. Obviously all of them work quite well...

I also posted this on the CTc website and got some good replies.

Read about it hereCTC spokes

If you live in the UK, I'd recommend Wheelpro for excellent wheels.