Beefy spokes?

[roostafish]

Is there a reason our bikes have such giant spokes?

I was looking at those beefy spokes and thinking.... Man, I could shed a pound per end if I got rid of those giant spokes. Though I'm not sure I want to lace in some wimpy spokes just to save a little bit of weight. I doubt I'd hurt the wheels since I'm light, but the factory must have spent the extra money on those dogs for a reason.

 

[PEB]

So we can pound the piss of of them for years.