appearance is always a factor, but reliability is always the determining factor. anyway, i don't really understand what you're saying.
"do the math" - well, correct me if i'm wrong, but the more spokes the better. any force the wheel shall incur will be dispersed more evenly than a wheel of a lesser spoke count. just like our brake, clutch, and throttle cables. they're wound with small gauge wire instead of one single thick wire. force dispersion, i believe. also, the 72 spoke wheel, assuming it has 14 gauge spokes, has at least twice the amount of spoke metal content than the 36 spoke wheel with 10 gauge spokes. i see two advantages that the 72 has over the 36. it makes sense in my head, but its only in my head. i don't have real life experience in this situation and i am uncertain if my proven logic applies to bicycle wheels specifically. that's why i'm asking.
and what would make either wheel "stronger longer"? i would assume the one that was stronger from the start would be stronger longer. as long as i buy from a reputable dealer with quality merchandise.
i'm gonna check out a bike shop tomorrow so i can get back on the road. so, if anyone has any thoughts please comment. thanks.