Single speed wheels - what is worth knowing?

A bike without gears has long ceased to be a consequence of a limited budget. More and more people are recognizing the benefits of simplicity: significantly lower weight, reliability, cheaper components and maintenance. If you don't live in hilly terrain (or simply in the mountains), a single-speed bike is the perfect solution for everyday commuting. These bikes have gained popularity on the wave of interest in fixed gear. And while many features are common between single-speed and fixed gear , the former is a much more popular choice. Brakes and a freewheel make such a bike much more user-friendly for the average rider, while also being agile and lightweight. One of the most important components of any bike is its wheels. In the case of a single-speed bike, where parts are scarce, they are even more important. Today, we'll show you what to look for when choosing them and what mistakes to avoid.

Ready-made vs. hand-braided

First, there aren't many decent pre-made wheels designed for single-speed cycling. Of course, there's a wide selection of fixed-gear wheels, and threading a freewheel onto a chainring is a proven technique. The popular Miche X-Press wheels even feature a flip-flop hub with a wide freewheel thread. System wheels are generally durable and stiff. However, most are designed for racing, and therefore, are expensive. An additional drawback is the limited availability of components, especially spokes in the event of damage. You'll also find a lot of cheap pre-made wheels online. 90% of them are kits: a Joytech hub, a Swift Arriv rim, and spokes of unknown origin. What's wrong with these wheels? Everything: the build quality and lacing (they're always crooked!), the susceptibility to damage, and above all, the weight. Yes, cheap rims with a high taper are simply incredibly heavy, which not only affects the overall weight of the bike but also riding comfort and the power required to accelerate. Why build a singlespeed that's heavy and slow? Speaking of which, we also recommend our guides on choosing a frame , handlebar , and gearing for a fixed-gear bike .

Custom-made wheel

Contrary to appearances, this isn't an expensive service. For around 300-400 PLN, you can have a basic, yet decent wheel tailored to your needs and preferences. Hand-lacing has many advantages, which I've dedicated two separate posts to. Suffice it to say that the spoke tension is adjusted to your weight and riding style, which translates into longer life. A single-speed wheel should be durable and resistant to various conditions, so it's worth choosing hubs equipped with sealed bearings . As for rims, as I mentioned earlier, avoid high-taper rims. They're heavy, and the bike will also be susceptible to crosswinds. It's better to buy less impressive, lower-profile rims of higher quality, preferably with caps. As for spokes, basic models, as long as they're brand-name, will suffice. Of course, if you have the budget, butted models are a great idea—they're more durable and much lighter. Check out our guide on choosing a hub!

Is a used single speed wheel a good idea?

Average. The wheel is subject to significant stress, and no amount of truing will save damaged rims. If you're buying a wheel from a friend and know its history or have the ability to test it on a truing stand, why not? However, blindly buying a wheel in "good condition" is simply a gamble. It's better to pay a little more and buy a wheel that fits you and is reliable.