This might be an incredibly stupid question, but I'm struggling to find the answer anywhere. I've been offered a pair of 26x1.75 wheels for a very good price, and was wondering if these would fit well in the place of my old 1 3/8 wheels? The diameter won't be an issue, nor will brake reach (they've got drum brakes) but I can't work out what effect the change will have on the pedal clearance. Are 1.75 wheels singificantly larger/smaller in diameter? Thanks!

Not by much. They'll look fatter. More important to check the hub spacing and see if it will fit the frame you have.

makes sense... thank you!

I hope it works, I'm knee deep in a conversion now. Let me know how it goes.

I doubt these wheels would fit at all the the size is more different than you would think about a full inch. Plus the hub spacing and axel type will be a issue. A stanrard common 26 wheel 1.75 will just not fit in a older bike made for English 26 wheels.

I think it should fit. The nominal diameter of a 26x1-3/8" wheel is about 664mm (590+37+37), while your new wheel is going to be 643mm or so (559+42+42).

I'd be a concerned about the clearance between the blades and stays. A lot of the older middleweights didn't have a lot of clearance. It may be tighter than most peole think. You may have to keep a close eye on wheel true.

You'll lose about 1/2" in BB clearance, which I don't think will be as big an issue. Dropout spacing may or may not be issue, depending on what it was orignally designed for.

It will fit, at least on paper. Whether or not it actually works inside the frame... well, there's only one way to find out. Since they have drum brakes, you avoid a lot of problems that way. If they absolutely will not fit, remember that you can always get narrower tires.

You didn't say what frame you were going to try to fit. If it is a Raleigh Sports or any Sports clone, the fork and rear stays can be re-set & aligned, they are heavy steel with lots of durability.