Single speed bicycles have one gear ratio, and they don’t use hub gearing or derailleur gears. In other words, there is no way to vary the bike’s gear ratio.
Today, you can get single-speed bikes for almost any type of terrain, and they’re available in BMX, cruiser bikes and commuter styles. All single-speed bikes function using the same gear ratio.
If you’d like to purchase a single-speed bike, you should understand the advantages that such a bike has to offer. Most consumers who purchase single-speed bikes enjoy the superior durability and simplicity. Since the drivetrain consists of a single gear, it’s much less likely to break.
Bicycles that have multiple gears use derailleurs, which allow the bike the shift through different gears. When you switch gears on a bike, it changes how fast the wheel rotates in relation to the crank. Depending on the bike’s speed and incline, switching to higher or lower gears can make pedaling much easier.
One of the major reasons why consumers choose to purchase single-speed bikes is because of the simplicity. Since they don’t have any extra gears, the crank, brakes and wheels are the only moving parts. These parts require minimal adjustments and make maintenance much easier.
Most single-speed bikes also have dropouts in the rear portion of the frame, which are important for natural chain stretching. Minimal knowledge is needed to make adjustments to the drivetrain on a single-speed bike, which is great for beginners.
A few other advantages of single-speed bikes are minimal repairs and low weight. Since they have a minimalist design, single-speed bikes tend to be lightweight, and they’re much less likely to need repairs. However, with such a vast selection, it can be difficult to shop for these types of bikes.
Below, you’ll find a comparison table with reviews for 10 of the best single-speed bikes, and you can use the reviews to eliminate the guesswork and find a great product for your needs.
| Product | Image | Features | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike |  | Steel frame and fork; 54 centimeter top tube Alloy rims with alloy hub Tig-welded steel frame with horizontal drop out | $$ |
| Critical Cycles Harper Coaster Fixie Style Single-Speed Commuter Bike |  | This is the best bike for the rider who wants the sleek style of a fixie but the exceptional ease of a cruiser Comes standard with 30mm deep-v rims, Wanda commuter tires, KMC chain, VP freestyle pedals, and a coaster brake | $$ |
| Giordano Rapido Single Speed Road Bike |  | Aluminum frame and a steel fork Rear Flip Flop Hub Alloy Side Pull Brakes | $$$ |
| Dahon Boardwalk Folding Bike, Obsidian |  | One-speed urban utility bike Folds to 12.1 by 30.4 by 25.4 inches Fast shifting and a low profile design | $$ |
| 6KU Aluminum Single Speed Fixie Urban Track Bike |  | Aluminum Track Frame and Wheels 46t Lasco Crankset | $$$ |
| Zydek Fixed Gear Single Speed Fixie Road Bike |  | 700c Steel frame and fork with urban geometry Flip Flop Hub Forged Alloy Crankset with 46T replaceable chain ring | $$ |
| Titan Men's Docksider Single Speed Beach Cruiser Bicycle |  | 18" Hi-Tensile Steel Frame with Adjustable Chrome Handlebars and Chrome Fenders 26" Rust Free Alloy Wheels with Alloy hubs Stainless Steel Spokes with Brass Nipples, aluminum Seat Clamp and Alloy seat Stem | $$$ |
| Vilano Fixed Gear Bike Fixie Single Speed Road Bike |  | 700c Fixed Gear Frame Flip-Flp (Fixed Cog / Freewheel) Rear Hub Alloy crankset with replaceable 46T Chainring | $$ |
| Vilano Edge Fixed Gear Single Speed Bike |  | Forged alloy crankset with 46T chain ring Alloy Caliper Front & Rear Brakes Fixed Gear / Single Speed 700c Hi-tensile steel | $$ |
| Vilano Rampage Fixed Gear Fixie Single Speed Road Bike |  | Fixed gear or single speed (flip-flop hub) Urban geometry 700c tag-welded Frame and Fork Forged Alloy Crank set w/46T replaceable chain ring 45mm Double Walled Deep-V Anodized Wheel set with matching Anodized Hubs | $$ |
Takara Kabuto Single Speed Road Bike
The Takara Kabuto is a popular product, and it’s commonly used as a commuter bike in and around urban environments. It has a 57-centimeter top tube, and to give you freewheel and fixed gear options, it has a rear flip-flop hub. The hub is useful because it lets you switch between drivetrain modes.
The steel frame and fork are tig welded and capable of withstanding plenty of punishment. This bike has an alloy hub and rims, and for increased safety, it has alloy side pull brakes. It has a 33-inch stand over clearance, and it’s designed for taller riders.
The Takara Kabuto is available in four different colors, and it offers great aesthetics. This bike offers a fair amount of comfort and functionality.
If you’re looking for a high-quality single-speed bike, you should consider this product. It offers the simplicity that you’d expect from a single-speed drivetrain, and you also get enough style to shock and amaze bystanders.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Critical Cycles Harper Coaster Fixie Style Single-Speed Commuter Bike
The Critical Cycles Harper Coaster is a fixie or single-speed bike. If you want the convenience of a cruiser, this product is worth considering. The sleek fixie style is attractive, and the cruiser design is easy to ride.
This single-speed bicycle has a hand-built steel frame, which is tig welded and made from premium material. The frame is capable of absorbing road bumps and offers incredible tensile strength. The Harper comes with 30mm Deep-V rims, and the commuter tires are made by Wanda.
It features VP freestyle pedals and has a KMC chain. The coaster brake isn’t the best, but it offers a decent amount of stopping power.
One of the benefits of choosing this particular bicycle is that it comes with all of the tools needed to build and maintain the bike. You don’t have to go out of your way to purchase extra tools, and for many consumers, this is very convenient.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Giordano Rapido Single Speed Road Bike
If you’ve always wanted to try a single-speed road bike that was inspired by Italy, then the Giordano Rapido could be a great choice for you. This bike is great for consumers who want to keep it simple.
The frame for this bike is made of hand-crafted aluminum, and for increased durability, it has horizontal dropouts, which are important for riding around in a big city. Depending on your preferences, you can ride the Rapido in freewheel and fixed gear modes.
The flip-flop hub is what makes this functionality possible. The Rapido has 32-hole alloy wheels, and it rolls around on Kenda tires. The high-quality tires are capable of handling rough roads, but they work exceptionally well on smooth, paved surfaces.
This bike offers a number of great features and has the potential to make every bike enjoyable. However, for optimal safety, it should be assembled by a professional. If you’re not a professional, then you can find someone to do it for you.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Dahon Boardwalk Folding Bike, Obsidian
Here is a single-speed bike that doesn’t look like a typical mountain bike. It actually looks much more like a BMX bike. This single-speed bike features a folding design and has a rear coaster brake. It could be an excellent choice for urban commuting and maneuvers well on flat streets.
When the bike is folded, it’s held together by a magnetic latching system. The Chromoly frame is lightweight, durable and practical. Since the frame only weighs 24.2 pounds, you might be surprised to find out what you can do with it.
The Dahon Boardwalk folding bike is capable of holding a maximum weight of 230 pounds. Urban commuters love this bike because it’s lightweight, simple and stylish. The Dahon Boardwalk is a newer design of an older bike, and the new style offers even greater simplicity than the last.
The coaster brake is the same style that most riders had when they were kids. To activate the brake, all that you have to do is pedal backwards. The magnetic locking system is another great feature that you’ll get with the Dahon Boardwalk. If you’re looking for a smaller, single-speed bike, the Dahon Boardwalk might be a suitable choice.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
6KU Aluminum Single Speed Fixie Urban Track Bike
The 6KU urban track bike has front and rear brakes, which are easy to remove. It has 30mm Deep-V alloy wheels, and the wheels are made with double walls. To make it easy to switch between drivetrain systems, this bike is equipped with a flip-flop hub.
It has an alloy fork and can be purchased in several different colors and sizes. The frame is made of 6061 aluminum alloy and makes every ride smoother. If you’re looking for an affordable, single-speed track bike, then this might be a good product for you.
For easier navigation through city streets, this bike features riser bars. The lightweight 6061 frame has a matching alloy fork and makes this product ideal for commuting.
If you use a bicycle every day for transportation, then you should enjoy using this bike. The 6KU urban track bike has a lightweight design and can traverse most types of terrain.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Zydek Fixed Gear Single Speed Fixie Road Bike
This is a single-speed bike from Zydek, and it offers a level of comfort that you’d expect from this brand. The design for this bike has been designed by cyclists, so it offers many of the features that you wish other bikes had.
It can be used for recreational and commuting purposes, and it’s also great for health and fitness. The Zydek single-speed bike serves as an alternative form of transportation, and it’s ideal for commuting to school, work and around the city.
To give you the ability to choose between fixie or single-speed modes, it’s built with a flip-flop hub. A major reason why consumers choose to ride single-speed bikes is because they build cardiovascular endurance and strength.
When compared with some other forms of transportation, they’re also much more convenient. By purchasing and riding this bicycle, you can immediately lower greenhouse gas emissions. The Zydek road bike has a 700c steel frame that features urban geometry, and the frame is sized to fit anyone.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Titan Men’s Docksider Single Speed Beach Cruiser Bicycle
Here we have a bike that is designed for men. Although it’s a single-speed bike, it features a cruiser style. The frame is made of steel and offers high tensile strength. The Titan Docksider has chrome fenders and handlebar, which function as good as they look.
It has 26-inch alloy wheels and hubs, and the white Wall tires are easy on the eyes. This bike has a double coil spring deluxe bike seat, which is extra wide and comfortable. The wheel spokes are made of stainless steel and have brass nipples.
With an alloy seat stem and aluminum seat clamp, this bike keeps you comfortable and makes long rides over rough terrain much more manageable.
This cruiser is designed for adults and comes with comfort grips. When it arrives at your doorstep, it’s 85 percent assembled, so you’ll need to assemble the rest of the bike. If you’re looking for a way to relax your mind, the Titan Docksider cruiser could be what you’ve been looking for.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Vilano Fixed Gear Bike Fixie Single Speed Road Bike
This Vilano single-speed road bike is available in several different colors and comes with free pedals. It’s made with a tig welded frame, which has 120mm spacing. The fork is made of the same material and offers great durability.
The Urban saddle is designed for comfort and can make long rides around the city much more enjoyable. The handlebars are made of alloy material, and the stem is made from the same material.
Most of the components on this bike are made from alloy material, so they’re able to withstand rough environments. The caliper brakes are quite strong and require minimal effort to bring the bike to a complete stop.
The 700c wheels have CNC machined sides and feature a double wall design. A flip-flop rear hub lets you choose between freewheel and fixed drivetrain modes. The Vilano road bike even comes unbranded, which gives you full customization over the bike.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Vilano Edge Fixed Gear Single Speed Bike
The Vilano Edge is another product that is worth considering. It’s made with a forged alloy crankset and has a 46T chain ring. The Vilano Edge is designed to be a stylish urban bike, and it has 45mm Deep-V anodized wheels.
The anodized hubs match the wheels, which significantly enhances the style. The Edge has a rear flip-flop hub, and since it has a cog and freewheel, you can ride in fixed gear or single-speed modes. To switch between these drivetrain modes, all that you have to do is flip the rear wheel.
The frame used for the Vilano Edge has a straight fork and features urban geometry. If you need a great bike for urban settings, the Edge might be a good choice.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Vilano Rampage Fixed Gear Fixie Single Speed Road Bike
The final product on the list is the Vilano Rampage. This bike lets you choose between fixed gear and single-speed modes. The flip-flop hub is a useful feature and allows you to switch between drivetrain modes. The urban geometry frame is tag welded and has a strong fork.
The crankset is made of forged alloy and uses a 46T replaceable chain ring. The Deep-V anodized wheels have matching anodized hubs ad feature a double wall design.
The Vilano Rampage is available in several colors and comes with free platform pedals. If you’re searching for a single-speed bike that is ideal for urban environments, then the Rampage might be a good product for you.
AVAILABLE ON AMAZON
Conclusion
Many consumers choose single-speed bicycles because they’re made with a single gear, which dramatically reduces the overall weight. Since they don’t come with expensive gearing, they tend to be much more affordable than alternative products.
With fewer parts, single-speed bikes require significantly less maintenance than standard mountain bikes. The lightweight design improves speed and reduces commute time.
All of these bikes are ideal for urban environments and offer a simplistic design, so if you need a fast, simple bicycle, then a single-speed bike is one of the best options.
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