Bicycle Mechanics - Rebuilding a Fuji Saratoga Touring Bike

I first rebuilt this bike in 91 as I worked in Vermont as a bike tour leader. Upgraded components to all Shimano Deore XT from the Suntour stuff. I now want to change out the cassete from a 13/30 7 speed to a 11/32 9 speed Sram Pg950, put on a set of A719 700c Shimano Mavic XT wheels replacing the Weinmann wheels and finally adding a 48/36/26 Shimano Deore crank replacing a 48/38/28. I have 5 1/2 inches between the rear wheel stays. Does anyone know whether this can fit? Cheers

5.5 inches is almost 140mm. Can you take another measurement? Maybe measure across the locknuts on your current rear hub. Assuming the spacing is 135mm (MTB standard now), you'll have no problems using a 9 speed cassette on a modern MTB hub (I'm assuming the wheelset you are referring to has XT hubs).

I am replacing the hubs to XT as well. I remeasured and it appears to be 127 mm between the dropouts. Being a steel frame can I tweak it a bit to get it all to fit or will it not track well?

I've only stretched a 126mm spaced frame (most likely the intended drop out spacing on your bike given it's age) to 130mm and did not bother cold setting the frame. Going up to 135mm, you'd at least want to cold set the frame to 130ish spacing to make installing the rear wheel a little easier. As long as you set the frame evenly, it should perform just fine.

See this link for a quick how-to: http://www.sheldonbrown.com/frame-spacing.html

Probably best not to have a few beers before attempting this eh?

I'd limit myself to 1-2.

Thanks for the info. I'll post with the results