Originally Posted by Ira in Chi
If you just want durable wheels with fat tires, try setting up an old 70's 27" wheel frame with 700c cyclocross wheels (beefy double-walled rims and mtb hubs). I fit 37mm tires with fenders on my commuter. It's cushy enough that I can ride it down stairs.
I second this. My everyday commuter is an old 12-speed, which originally came with 27" wheels and now has 700s with 35 mm tires. I am also in the process of setting up another old 27"er with 26" 3-speed-type wheels, and it works fine. The trick is making sure you can get some brakes that reach your rims, but they're definitely out there: if high-end isn't important, the calipers that come on most Wal-Mart-type, generic, garbagey mountain bikes will reach just fine, and there should be plenty of those in the junk parts bin at your LBS.