I building up a front wheel for use in TT's, it may see a few RR's too. The rim I'm using will be the Edge 68mm 2.0. I weigh in at 200 lbs so the weight of the wheel isn't the main factor hear. I want it to be aero and reliable. Here's the catch, I want to use this wheel on the front of my single bike AND for doing TT's on our tandem. My stoker is light at only 70 lbs, but she's growing.

The question is what spoke count? Jake at Edge says he's confident with either 20 or 24. I plan to use a DT 240 hub and aerolite spokes. I'm leaning toward 24 spokes because of the tandem, but I don't know if that will make the wheel too stiff for the single bike. Can a wheel even be too stiff? I know some compromises are in order to make the wheel work on both bikes.

Any help or advice would be great and I'm open to suggestions.

good question... no way i can help, but maybe this pic does?
http://www.roadcyclinguk.com/news/images/eurobike_road_hi06.jpg

Hmm......I'm counting 18 spokes on the front of that fine machine.

yup, guess the point is they are comfortable using their standard builds for tandems, that said that is a pretty big/heavy 808 rim...

Your stoker at 70 lbs isn't much of an issue on the front wheel - it's your 200 lbs up there that'll make the difference. I'd lean towards 24 on the front if use on the tandem is frequent. You're basically like a 300 lb person on a regular road bike with the tandem and the two of y'all.

yup, guess the point is they are comfortable using their standard builds for tandems, that said that is a pretty big/heavy 808 rim...

I wouldn't put any confidence in that build. That pic is from a trade show- they could have put any wheelset on there, the wheels are just to make the bike look good for the photo. It doesn't mean they could hold a tandem.

The 808's could do a fine job, but do more research then just a pic to base that on.

I wouldn't put any confidence in that build. That pic is from a trade show- they could have put any wheelset on there, the wheels are just to make the bike look good for the photo. It doesn't mean they could hold a tandem.

The 808's could do a fine job, but do more research then just a pic to base that on.
Point well taken.

Call ROL and talk to Sean. They are building the Edge hoops for 'cross racing. I'd be tempted to err on the side of safety and longevity of the build and say 24 holes. You aren't losing that much aero by adding 4 spokes.

As a data point. I ride on a set of Campy Eurus wheels now. The front only has 16 spokes, laced radially. I'm very happy with how this wheel performs and it's been very realiable so far.

Go with 24, negligible weight and aero effect but will build up a stronger wheel for the long-term.