molgrips
I’ve had spokes break on cheap or OEM factory wheels. When you’ve only got 20 or 24 spokes, losing one doesn’t inspire confidence. Especially when you’ve got rim brakes.
I still avoid low spoke count wheels. The benefits of them being marginally lighter and more aero are of little value to my riding.
I was brought up on the old standard of 32 front, 40 rear and managed to absorb a few prejudices about wheels from being the teaboy/gofer in a bike shop when I was a lad – such as 36 hole wheels being all wrong “4 too few at one end, and 4 too many at the other”. 🙂
Yet these days almost all the wheels I build are 36 hole by preference, but sometimes a hub choice dictates 32 hole.
BTW If I remember right some of the Dawes Galaxies had a mount for carrying spare spokes, and Ridgeback touring bikes came with it too complete with spare spokes (Panorama?)