Front wheels, OTP lacing?

I was wondering, with pre-built fixed gear wheelsets (like all the Deep V's/DP18's on ebay) and off the peg track bikes, why is it that the front wheel is always laced up the same as the rear?

I know *real *track wheelsets are little different, as well as wheels on any quality geared bike.

Some of these fixed gear wheelsets are pretty expensive, should they not take the care to perhaps have 36 3 cross rear, and 32 1 cross/2cross/radial for the front?

Or in the case of the 32 hole rears, have 28 spoke on the front?

it's mainly (I think) because for OTP, the builder can't really tell in advance what type of rider will use the wheel. (S)he could be 60kg or 160kg. Also to a certain degree, the builder can't dictate what the wheel will be used for. I could buy a bianchi pista and use it to commute, or track only.

Cost, too.

Easier to get a machine to make 2 wheels that are laced the same way than it is to make 2 wheels laced differently.

and cheaper to buy all your spokes the same length...

I quite like the look of both wheels being the same also. That could be another factor. The aesthetic of the bike.

it's mainly (I think) because for OTP, the builder can't really tell in advance what type of rider will use the wheel. (S)he could be 60kg or 160kg. Also to a certain degree, the builder can't dictate what the wheel will be used for. I could buy a bianchi pista and use it to commute, or track only.

but really, 3 cross 36 spoke on the front is a bit excessive sureley?

not even butted spokes. These fakengers on brightly coloured deep v's pay over the odds for a wheel they think is good, and suitable for track.

When really its more like a mountain bike wheel, a heavy one at that.

If it's overbuilt it's less likely to come back to the shop damaged with the customer screaming "waaaaarrrranty!!!"

If it's overbuilt it's less likely to come back to the shop damaged with the customer screaming "waaaaarrrranty!!!"

eeeeeeehhhhhhh-ggzactly!