Well, I have read many wheelset threads in this forum but my question is a bit unique so please bear with me. Most of the wheelset threads are for thin road/track tires with presta valve.

I have ridden bikes with single speed, 3-speeds, multi-speeds for about 35 years but never tried a fixie so I want to give it a try.

I have a 1981 Fuji Gran Tourer with a CrMo frame so it is a good candidate for a fixie conversion. The rear spacing is 126 mm. I am looking for a 27" or 700c fixie wheelset that can fit 32-38 mm tires with schrader valves. Since this is a try/experiment, I would like to stay between $100-200.

Right now, I have converted this bike from the original 12 speeds (27" wheels) to 26 x 1-3/8 with a Shimano 3SC coaster brake 3-speed rear hub/wheel. I am using the big chainring (52 teeth) and a 18 teeth cog on the Shimano hub. I did have to add some spacers to make the 110 mm hub all the way to about 122 mm and then squeeze the dropouts a bit to fit. The chainline is fine.

Thank you in advance.

www.velomine.com

Check out their wheelsets. Pretty much every rim can hold big tires, your frame is usually the limiting variable.

As for shrader valves, you can just drill the hole wider, or have a shop do it.

Thanks, Nagrom. I have been browsing velomine site and they do have some sets for about $100-150. If I go with 700c, my frame should be able to handle wider tires because it was designed for 27" wheels.

If you have a buddy with a 700c and a fat tire on it, I'd throw it on your frame just to check clearance.

Oh, you may have issues using a brake because of the size difference.

I have a set of Tektro 800A brakes so no problem to reach 700c. They can even reach 26 x 1-3/8 (590). I have tried my 700c wheel/tires and width is not a problem. Just want to get a reasonable wheelset and hopefully with cogs preinstalled.

Thanks again and will look more on velomine.

Why not just use tubes with Presta valves?

And support the Riech?

For some reason, I seem to use the schrader bikes more often. Do not know why. I have two bikes with presta valves and they pretty much need air for every ride (110 psi) so I do no use them often enough. Most of my bikes (I have a total of 15 bikes but none is fixie) use schrader valves and I have a pump with a a very easy chuck so I tend to use that often.

Air commonly escapes through the walls of the tube itself, not the valve. A higher psi will speed up how much air leaks out.