Bicycle Mechanics - wheel issues, i'm a stupid newbie

I got a replacement for my rear wheel. I thought I needed a 27 x 1 1/4, but like an idiot, I didn't actually check it first. had I checkd I would have noticed that I needed a 27 x 1.:o

I got it on the bike last night and I noticed right away that it didn't spin much. Even with the brakes open there was a lot of resistance. I couldn't find where the resistance was coming from. Maybe the wider wheel is causing it rub on the fender somwhere, but I couldn't find where. I tried closing the brakes on it and they wouldn't close. That's when I noticed on the front wheel that it's 27 x 1.

But I have heard that it's generally not a problem to run a wider wheel/tire in the rear.

I assume that I could adjust the brakes to close on the rim, but I'm more concerned as to why it wont spin even with the brakes open. Any ideas.

Does the wheel spin well, out of the frame?

I spun it once out of the frame and didn't notice any resistance. Hind site is 20/20, I defintly should have paid more attention when I spun it before I bought it.

The wider rim won't be a problem, most likely, once your brakes are adjusted. But you're right that you need to figure out exactly why it's not spinning freely.

With the wheel on the bike, can you hear any rubbing sounds or ticking at all when you spin it? Is the wheel fairly true? It would be a good idea to remove the wheel from the frame (more practice for you! That's a good thing!) and hold the axle ends in your hands, and spin the wheel. See if it moves freely then.

Is this also a new hub in this wheel? What kind is it? Maybe it is not adjusted quite right, or maybe it has cartridge bearings that are a little stiff.