OLD 26 x 1 1/4

[canny colin]

 I have been given a 1978 ish  Raleigh Oympus . The bike is  generally in great nick , but the rear wheel rim has a hole in it . The bike was stored in a shed for many years & i thank water has driped off the roof and rusted the chrome . The tyre size are  32 x 597 . I was hopping  my daughter could use the bike at uni but i am struggling to find a  cheapish wheel that takes a five speed freewheel block . thanks colin     

[LittleWheelsandBig]

https://dcrwheels.co.uk/products/rims/non-standardised-rims/basic-26-x-1-38/ is described as 597 but I don't know if it is. Usually 26 x 1 3/8 is 590 but it is an odd typo to make.

[phantasmagoriana]

Not sure how cheap you want, but Ebay is worth a look (here's one).

Edit: Amazon has a cheaper one, too.

[Torslanda]

Change BOTH wheels to 26x1³/₈.

Yes I know it's 2 wheels + tyres but it means that you can get replacement bits thru any LBS and the only other mod required is to drop the brake blocks 4mm or so.

[canny colin]

Thanks for the prompt replies . I have been playing with some old  700c hoops and think i can get them to fit  .  may have to get brutal with  the front forks to get the  wheel in , but i think it may be a better long term solution .        ( poor child may be stuck with this bike for life )  Olivia's Dad

[Brucey]

yup 700C wheels will almost certainly go in but may leave you having to fit different brakes and not using a tyre much more than 25mm or so (with mudguards). The brake blocks come up 12.5mm or so.

Raleigh front forks of the time are often ~92mm OLN and the dropouts will easily accept an 8mm (5/16") axle only. Often a raised portion on each locknut of 3/8" dia  acts a lawyer's lip; in the event that the front wheel is loose, it won't simply drop out. If your dropouts are like this, to fit a modern hub you will need to respace the hub and/or respace the forks, and file/grind the openings on the dropouts.

cheers

[canny colin]

 Good news I've got the 700 c wheels in & 28 mm continental contact tyres with clearance under the proper metal mudguards  . Rear brake works well front one only works on a deep rim !!! . So i need to look in the spares box . I will probably leave the slots alone in the forks in the hope it stops  the scum bags pinching  olivia's front wheel .  There are two slots about 30 mm apart & 30 mm centre to centre  above the rear brake mounts would these take a nurses lock . Thanks Olivia's Dad