Fitting 700c rear wheel on vintage gazelle frame. Help!

[gravemind]

Weeks ago I started a single speed vintage bike project, first attempt doing this and the first issue just came. I cannot fit the rear wheel.

The frame is a Gazelle Sprinter Race.

and the rear wheel I'm trying to fit is a Weinmann XR18 700c like this one

My idea was to convert this 6 speed rear wheel in a single speed but I'm starting to think is impossible mission. I made a mistake buying this rear wheel? any help?

 

[twosheds]

Re:

Hi, welcome to the forum.
Nice looking frame. I like the dynamo bracket. Your frame looks old enough to have a rear dropout spacing of only 120mm, my 1978 Gazelle is 120mm spacing.
Now your wheel looks like a 7 speed to me, for a 126mm frame, so it won't fit straight in.
You could have your frame spread wider, or 'cold set' to accept the 126mm wheel, or, if you are planning to change the freewheel for a single speed freewheel anyway, it would be possible to reset and re-space the hub to 120mm. You would have to shorten the axle by 6mm so that it doesn't protrude beyond the dropouts, and maybe even shorten the QR skewer.
If you are not in love with those wheels, your third option is to get some single speed ones, I think there are some on ebay for sensible money, but you may still need to cold set your frame.

Bruce

 

[RubberLegs]

I have a set of those wheels and they're actually 130mm spacing

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/700c-Silver-W ... 0543152358

 

[twosheds]

Re:

Ah I see, that was the ebay picture in the original post.
Well it sounds like cold setting won't be an option then. Has anyone out there pushed it to 130mm?
I did try it once but there was quite an ugly bend to the seat stay, just below the brake bridge.

Bruce

 

[RubberLegs]

Well, this may make you wince - I squeezed a set of 135mm hybrid wheels into this scruffy Dawes Fox which was 120mm originally. It's a plain steel frame and the rear is really springy and spread very easily. I wouldn't do it to a 531 or similar frame but the bike wasn't getting much use and I needed a winter/path/bridleway beater. Ginormous ally mudguards about to be fitted. The pic makes it look better than it is, there's quite a bit of rust.

 

[gravemind]

Re:

I just measured rear dropout spacing

To be honest I have no idea what I'm doing. I don't want to modify the frame, mainly because I don't have the knowledge to do it. Is there any chance to make any change to the wheel to make it fit? if not, what rear wheel should I buy?

PD: Thanks for the welcome

 

[Midlife]

126mm Space more than likely, frame looks like 1970's so that matches. Typical 5-6 speed from that era. The frame will "spring" the extra 2mm each side without upsetting how parallel the dropouts are. The smallest cog might foul the frame though....

Shaun

 

[kingbling]

As your building a SS project what Midlife has suggested will work and as you only have one cog it won't foul the chain stays other than this you can swap the axle for a shorter one much cheaper than buying a new wheel