Look for a book called the bicycle wheel by jobst brandt , there is no more advanced book in regards to the exact maths and science of the bike wheel in every variation imaginable .

Some bike company dudes I know are talking about 48h again...They have been advised not to, but I can at least say they were thinking about it. duh duh duuuuuuhhh!
 

So I found this on a wheel builder website:

U.S./British 13 gauge is 2.3 mm
U.S./British 14 gauge is 2.0 mm

The mm is the thickness of the spoke so a simple multiplication by the number of spokes might be enlightening. So: 48 spokes X 2 (mm) = 96 (this is the amount of material in millimeters of thickness for the wheel); whereas, 36 spokes X 2.3 (mm) = 82.8 (material in millimeter thickness for the wheel). So there is 13.2 (mm thickness) more in a 48 hole 14 gauge spoke wheel than there is in a 36 hole 13 gauge spoke wheel. This, to me, sounds pretty significant. Also, I imagine you would have to consider that not only is there more material supporting your wheel but it is fastened together by more spoke nipples and is more evenly distributed across the rim which should translate to less stress across greater points of contact.

What do you guys think about this analysis?

The wheel will be more stiffer and in flatland you will notice the difference as your leaning the wheel on it's side.

Sigh, we've been over this.

I ran 48s for years and made the switch to 36 hole with better rims. I was running peregrine super pros 48 and they were demonstrably sh*ttier than anything I ran after (odyssey hazard lites, demolition rims, alienation) 36s. The extra spokes didn't do anything for me.

i too ran hp 48's for over 15 years and i would say they are the same as most 36's. but now i run g-sport ribcage  48's which is the stiffest wheel i have ever rode on. plus i ride with at least 15 street riders a few times a week, all but two run 36's and all but two have messed up wheels. and also i run my brakes pads real close to the rim something i could not do with hp's and something none of the street guys can do with 36's.. but still like 36's they are a 100 times better than 20 years ago.     

Yea the 48h phenomenon is something I've been keeping my eye on as well. I hope I never have to ride a 36 again. I'm way to heavy to be f'ing w that sheise. The only thing I worry is if my Freecoaster ever dies. I'm fortunate enough to have a spare G Sport 48 Hub. Hopefully these last a while too. I don't know about you but Im scooping up on what I can while it's still avail.

ugh 48's still around!? 28's for the win