Using 700C wheels on (26" x 1 3/8") frame

[fixie_noob]

Hey guys

I've got an old Ricardo racer frame with original wheels measuring 26" x 1 3/8" (or 37-590), which I believe is also known as 650A or English 3-speed.

I'm thinking of converting it into your average fixed-gear bike, though I wanted to ask: will 700C wheels fit?

Help!

[hartleymartin]

How much room between the tyre and the fork crown and the brake bridge on the rear stays? You should have more than enough room for 700 x 25c or 28c, but not so sure about 32mm tyres.

[fixie_noob]

There's about 25mm on either end - will that be enough?

I was looking at 700 x 23 wheels...

Also, I've read that putting new wheels on these sorts of bikes sometimes cause problems with the brakes - will I be able to adjust the brakes so they reach the wheel?

Thanks for your help!

[jimmy87]

i find a bike that has very close tolerances very appealing to look at but 25mm gap it mite just be to tight

[hartleymartin]

You'll need to measure the distance from brake pivot hole to the centre of the rim side-wall. You'll most likely need new callipers - they'll be something far better than what you have on the machine at the moment.

[fixie_noob]

Awesome - but the wheels will most likely fit with that much space?

[dr0pkirk]

Hi,
I just completed a makeover of an old Raleigh 3 speed.
The 700c wheels fit great with 23mm tyres, I put on some shorter reach brakes though.
THe hub spacings are odd - 90mm for the front and 110 for the back.

I built up the rear with the 3 speed hub, so that was easy, but had to modify a front hub to reduce it to 90mm

Paul