What size would the wheels on an old Schwinn New World be??

[etip]

I was just given a single speed New World, It is complete minus the wheelset.
It's not a coaster brake bike (has F/R brake calipers).
Wondering what size wheels I should be looking for?
I have plenty of old 26" balloon tire wheels, but they don't fit.
Thanks,
Eric

 

[bricycle]

Eric, I believe they were 26" x 1 3/8" I have a set off one I had if you are interested. Rear was a 3 spd.

 

[jpromo]

26" x 1 3/8". The hoops will say Schwinn Superior in script font. With handbrakes, they offered a single speed freewheel or a 3-speed. Depending on the year, if it was a 3-speed, there could have been a shifter mounted on the top tube, or late 40s-early 50s would have had a handlebar mounted shifter. If it's an early bike and you see a ring of scratches around the top tube up front, it probably was a 3-speed with a sturmey archer quadrant shifter.

 

[mre straightbar]

i think it depends on how old it is

Could be a 27"wheel as well
And have seen what supposedly was a 28" wheeled new world frame
More directly
Where is fit tight top of tire or side of tire or wheel?

 

[rhenning]

Prewar Worlds had 26 x 1.375 rims with a bead seat diameter of 599mm. Post war Worlds had Schwinn S-5 rims in a size 26 x 1 3/8 with a bead seat diameter of 597mm. Most tires you find that say 26 x 1 3/8 have a bead seat diameter of 590 mm. That would be Raleighs and department store bikes that use 26 x 1 3/8 tires. Those 3 tire sizes do not intercchange. Roger

 

[Iverider]

You can still buy tires for the 597 and 590mm ISO rims. The 599...not so much. The 590mm has the most options available if you're not looking for absolute correctness.

 

[etip]

Here is the serial number "D7609"
The Seatpost clamp is integrated with the frame, so I think the bike is an older New World.
Am uploading some additional pictures and will post.

 

[Iverider]

It's ok to post pics of the rest of the bike I promise

looks like it's a cool color at least.

 

[bricycle]

sent you a pm with parts I have for it....

 

[etip]

Some pictures of the New World.
Any idea on the age/ production date??

Lots of variation on what the "proper" wheel size should be...
Thanks for any/all info.
E