Which fixed gear hub is best?

Although the peak of fixed-gear popularity has passed, each season still sees more and more people interested in this simplest of bikes. For some, a fixed-gear bike is a symbol of freedom, for others a delightfully minimalist design. Regardless, anyone who has ridden a fixed-gear bike knows that no other bike offers such a direct feel for the road. Add to that a unique riding style and the training in attention and anticipation – a fixed-gear bike is unforgiving. However, what technically defines a fixed-gear bike is the lack of a freewheel. To transfer power without the intermediary of a freewheel, a special hub is needed. Which fixed-gear hub is best, and what conditions must it meet to be safe? I'll attempt to answer these questions in this short post.

Fixed gear hub - why is it such an important choice?

A fixed-gear hub is crucial for safety. Why? On a fixed-gear bike, the drivetrain is responsible for both acceleration and braking. Consequently, the forces transferred by the rear sprocket are much greater than on most bikes – sudden rear wheel lockup places a significant strain on the hub. Any failure of this simple system results in a lack of braking.

Construction

Most fixed-gear hubs have a very similar design. The sprocket is attached using a right-hand thread and tightened by a left-hand counter-thread on a second thread of slightly smaller diameter. This system allows for stable sprocket mounting and prevents it from loosening regardless of the rotation direction. Additionally, many models are equipped with threads on both sides—known as flip-flop hubs. This allows for the attachment of two sprockets and a gear change by removing the rear wheel and rotating it 180 degrees.

Which fixed gear hub – what to look for?

First, skip the cheapest models. Lacing a wheel is so time-consuming that doing it on a 40 PLN hub is simply pointless. I'm talking primarily about the popular Joytech hubs. Their quality isn't terribly bad, but for a few dozen złoty more, you can get much better products that will last longer. Compared to the cost of building a wheel , that's a tiny fraction. Anything cheaper than a Joytech can be considered dangerous. Regardless of which fixed-gear hub you prefer, it's not worth skimping on safety. The hub must fit your bike. Most are designed for the track standard – 120mm fork spacing. If you have an old road frame, the spacing is probably 130mm. Contrary to popular belief, compressing the frame is not a good idea. It's better to look for hubs designed for this standard, such as Sturmey Archer . And remember to match the number of spoke holes to the rim. If you're not sure if fixed-gear is right for you, a flip-flop hub with a single freewheel thread, such as this one , is a good choice. The second key issue is bearing sealing. There's no rain on the track, so many models have bearings practically exposed. Especially if you ride in winter, their lifespan will be short. Novatec, DT Swiss, and Shimano, for example, offer better-sealed hubs. As for the bearings themselves, most manufacturers offer hubs with cartridge bearings. They're more maintenance-free and resistant to rough treatment.

High or low flange - which fixed gear hub?

Theoretically, high-flange hubs provide greater stiffness. In practice, outside of racing, the difference isn't noticeable. For our hubs, we opted for high flanges with cutouts – they give the bike a retro feel without weighing a ton. Traditionally, high flanges are used for low-profile rims, and vice versa – tapered rims require low-profile hubs. The rest depends entirely on your taste and weight requirements. There's no shortage of colors and shapes, but we recommend less flashy models that will last for years, such as those bearing our logo or the British BLB. Learn how to choose the right handlebar and frame for your fixed gear bike !