Originally Posted by well biked
700c/disc wheelsets are becoming more popular because of the increasing popularity of 29" mountain bikes, so you might keep shopping around. But you said "cheap wheels" so that might be the catch for you.........I don't know how fat a tire you're currently running on the hybrid, or how fat you could go as to the clearances on the frame and fork, but if you're currently running, say, a 32c tire and you could go to something like a 26" x 1.75", you'd offset some of the ground clearance issue. As for that: 622mm (diameter of 700c rim) minus 559mm (diameter of 26" rim) equals 63mm. Divide difference by two for the difference in radius, which is the applicable measurement for the difference in ground clearance: 31.5mm, or 3.15 cm, which is what, about an inch and a half?
edit: I looked it up, 3.15cm equals 1.24 inches.
Ok, but the OP is lowering only the front half of the bike, so the bottom bracket and pedals will be lowered only about 1/2 of the 1.24 inches, or about 0.63 inches which is the number is asking for. A larger tire on the front would help compensate for the drop, but only a small amount.
Al