Best Single Speed Wheelset | Reviews & Buying Guide
Are you looking for a wheelset with a single-speed fixed gear? Don’t worry! In this article, we will review some of the best single-speed wheelsets. Let’s start!
We’ll show you some of the most popular, dependable, and best single-speed wheelsets on the market today. We’ve personally tested many of these bike rims and found them to be outstanding.
Single-speed bikes are perfect for training, particularly if you’re new to riding and want to enhance your competitive riding abilities.
A single-speed wheelset is a common type of wheelset used by cyclists that value speed over all else.
They are best used on the street or on the track when the surface conditions are generally flatter, and they provide suitable speed and precision.
Top 4 Best Single Speed Wheelset
The following are some of the best single-speed wheelsets available:
- Retrospec Mantra Single-Speed Wheelset – Best Lightweight
- ​​Stars Rim Fixie Freewheel Single Speed Wheelset – Best Budget
- ​​Pure Fix – Fixie 700C Wheelset
- ​​Aeromax Alloy Single Speed Wheelset – Under $100
Best Single Speed Wheelset Reviews
This article will go over the features and qualities of the best single-speed wheelsets, which will almost certainly pay for themselves if purchased.
We’ll also go over the pros and cons of each wheelset so you can pick the best one for you.
Let’s get into the reviews of the best single-speed wheelsets now that we’ve cleared things up.
1. Retrospec Mantra Single-Speed Wheelset – Best Lightweight
The Retrospec Mantra 700c Deep V Fixed-Gear/Single-Speed Wheelset is made of a lightweight 43-millimeter alloy with an inner width of 14 millimeters and an outer width of 21 millimeters.
This fixie bike wheel comes with a Super Deep V Rim with a Braking Surface and a set of tubes.
Deep V rimmed wheels are supposed to be more durable. Most riders prefer the rim’s deeper cross-section because it adds lateral stiffness to the rear wheel.
A deep V can do some heavy lifting by helping riders with a hefty build. When it comes to spoke lacing, using fewer spokes increases aerodynamics even more—so that’s a great deal.
They have high-flange sealing hubs that, according to the manufacturer, enhance the set’s life. The majority of individuals who have used them, however, do not believe they are the longest-lasting of all the wheelsets they have tried.
It comes with a braking surface that is acceptable if you’re not traveling at high speeds, but you’ll have to put in a little more work if you want that more friction.
It’s a 16-tooth set that’ll do the job on flat terrains, such as your morning commute.
Keep in mind that the various “t” s have a substantial difference when using a freewheeling set. 16t’s are more difficult to pedal at slower speeds.
The Retrospec Mantra is a strong contender for exceptional value and performance, thanks to its cost and complementary tires.
This package is recommended if you wish to build a high-end-looking fixie for road use but are on a tight budget.
Pros
- ​It comes with free Kwena Kwest Tires
- ​Reasonable price
- ​Plenty of color choices
​Cons
- ​The brake track isn’t the best
- ​Comes with a Freewheel feature designed for fixed gears
- ​Squeaky
2. Stars Rim Fixie Freewheel Single Speed Wheelset – Best Budget
One of the best fixie bike rims available, built to last with fixie wheels. This set of wheels has a high-end appearance, and they do look fantastic. Not just from motorcyclists, but also, astonishingly, from pedestrians, you can expect polite compliments on the overall appearance of your bike.
What comes included with the Stars Rim Fixie Freewheel Single Speed fixed gear wheelset?
One front wheel (31.9 x 25.6 x 6.7 inches) and one fixed gear rear wheel (31.9 x 25.6 x 6.7 inches) are included, complete with hubs, spokes, sprocket, and freewheel.
The rear set is straightforward to install, but the front set may need to be modified to fit a larger axel.
Double-check and adjust the lock ring before installing it on the fixie or fixed gear wheel, as it has a tendency to fall out. Also, lubricate the hub on a regular basis.
This is a nice deal for the price. This wheelset is highly recommended for individuals on a tight budget.
However, expect the finish to fade and the rims to turn yellow over time.
Although these ultra-light wheels are extremely useful, they are not intended for professional racing. They are, however, suitable for frequent city rides, work commutes, or university.
The wheelset should last you a long time because they work so well. By the time the front or back is worn out, you’ve already used it enough to earn your money’s worth.
​ Pros
- ​Lightweight
- ​Affordable
- ​Great look
​Cons
- ​Lock ring slips out
- ​Hub should be regularly lubed
3. Pure Fix – Fixie 700C Wheelset
Pure Fix is a popular choice among fixie riders for a reason: the majority of them appreciate its designs.
These wheelsets, on the other hand, are very stunning; you’ll look like a million bucks driving the streets with them, even if you didn’t.
This is a cool wheelset to have on your bike if you ride around college or the neighborhood.
Many people who began riding fixed gear bikes did so with a Pure Fix bike or Pure Fix accessories such as these wheelsets, as it turns out.
The Pure Fix 700C 40mm wheelset is compatible with tire sizes ranging from 700x23c to 700x28c, and the wheels are lightweight and silent.
There aren’t any squeaky noises. Overall, they’re a terrific set of fixed gear rims that look great and are of good quality for the price.
It is, without a doubt, the best form of wheelset for fixed-gear or single-speed motorcycles.
The bearings that come with this wheelset have received a lot of attention; they are excessively tight, so take the wheels to your local bike shop and get them loosened up.
Customers report that the bearings on this Pure Fix wheelset are crunchy and that they need to be regreased from time to time.
We all know that maintaining adequate spoke tension is important since it lets you accelerate swiftly when necessary.
The Pure Fix 700C 40mm wheelset has around 32 spokes in each wheel, and the spoke tension is sufficient to transmit the load evenly over all 32 spokes, but you should still check the spoke tension on your bike.
​Pros
- ​Correct spoke tensions
- ​Fantastic rims for steel frame fixed bikes
- ​Cheap and affordable
​Cons
- ​Dry, crunchy bearings
- ​Paint gets scratches off easily
- ​Not tubeless ready
4. Aeromax Alloy Single Speed Wheelset – Under $100
Because most top-of-the-line wheelsets are so expensive, any bike enthusiast may be tempted to look for less expensive alternatives, such as the Aeromax.
Of course, having the right wheels can help your bike perform better, but who says the less expensive ones aren’t just as good? Let’s take a closer look at everything the Aeromax has to offer: The Aeromax Alloy Wheelset comes with 700c clincher wheels that are perfect for daily rides in your concrete neighborhood or even on muddy highways.
Some people have even tried racing with these wheelsets and discovered that they could withstand a lot of punishment on the road.
It’s so well-made that it retains its shape and remains true (you’ll need to tighten the spokes and restore spoke tension if you’re covering hundreds of kilometers, but it’s not a major concern).
Regardless, the wheelsets retain their shape and are perfectly accurate. 700c tires come in a variety of sizes, from 700 x 18 to 700 x 42. Rim strips and skewers are supplied, as well as Vuelta Ball Bearing Hubs that can be adjusted. However, the rim tape that comes with this bike isn’t as tough as you might assume, so if you’re worried about punctures or want to smooth off any rough edges, you’ll want to buy your own thick rim tape. Deep-section aero rims and high-tensile black spokes make the Aeromax Alloy Wheelset one of the most appealing wheelsets on the market.
The contrast adds an enticing urban slickness to your bike, giving it a high-end gloss.
​Pros
- ​Adds to bike stability
- ​Can support weight around 200-250 lbs
- ​Every wheel is stressed three times
​Cons
- ​Tight rear hub
- ​Buy your own rim tape
- ​Freewheel body fixing bolt is difficult to remove
What Is the Difference Between Fixed and Track Wheelsets?
Track and fixed wheelsets have essentially equal mechanics when it comes to how they work.
They employ a single-speed cog to move the user ahead, and if you pedal backward, the bike will travel backward as well. However, they do not mean the same thing. Track wheelsets are lightweight and designed to be used on a velodrome (a fancy term for an outdoor track).
In contrast to single-speed wheelsets, they lack a flip flop hub that may be flipped at any time to provide the freewheeling capability.
For a velodrome, this would be excessive weight, and it would also mean that there would be no machined braking surface to attach brakes to.
If you have a ‘fixie’ or a fixed wheelset, you’re on the path to sweat it out. To the uninitiated, a fixie lacks a freewheel, so there’s no coasting or moving along with the breeze without exerting leg effort.
You must constantly cycle in order to get someplace. Is everything clear now? You’ve got a fixie on your hands.
​What about a Single Speed Wheelset?
At first appearance, a fixed gear bike and a single speeder may appear to be the same.
Some bikers even use the terms interchangeably, which might be confusing to those who aren’t familiar with the biking lingo.
The front wheel of both motorcycles has a single chainring, and the back wheel has a single gear.
Single-speed bicycles have a freewheel, whereas fixed-gear bicycles do not. A freewheel on a downward coast allows the rider to relax their feet, save energy for the approaching uphill climb, and just let the bike freewheel.
Buying Guide
Even the most seasoned bike experts will agree that improving the frame isn’t the most effective method to improve a bike and that investing in a good set of wheelsets is.
Always remember to put good wheels ahead of everything else. So, before making any purchases, do your homework, and the first thing to consider is:
Gear Ratios
When it comes to single-speeding, the most common ratio is 2:1, which means the chainring (your front gear) has twice as many teeth as the cog (your back gear) (your rear gear).
A frequent example of such a ratio is 32/16. All of this may sound scientific at first glance, but the ratio determines your performance and affects the performance of your wheelset – it determines the amount of effort necessary to accelerate your bike.
Another factor to consider is the number of teeth; do you want 16, 17, or 18? Even though the difference isn’t considerable, it exists.
Overall Wheelset Weight
When shopping for single-speed wheelsets, keep in mind that lighter wheelsets are easier to transport, but they can cost more because of the materials used.
There’s a reason why most wheelsets’ most crucial feature is that they’re light and airy.
With a heavy wheelset, you can’t perform aero tricks or boost performance.
If your bike is overly heavy, it won’t be able to accelerate swiftly or climb steep terrain for obvious reasons.
Some bike owners are understandably concerned with making their bikes as light as possible.
​Customization
Part of the fun and excitement of owning a single-speed or fixed-gear bike is being able to customize it to your own performance needs and personality.
When it comes to creating a signature look, the wheelsets are a wonderful place to start. You can even spend some time wheel designing unique spoke lacing patterns into the hub flanges, which will alter your true control in both radial and lateral directions.
Spoke lacing is a delicate balancing act of spoke tensions that you may change to fit your next ride, and it’s a beautiful art form in and of itself.
​Spoke Tension and Truing
To begin with, you don’t want to choose a wheel that has a reputation for obvious wobbling, and you also don’t want to waste time adjusting the spoke tension on your wheelsets; all of these truing tasks can be taxing.
Second, you want a trustworthy wheelset since you want to spend as much time as possible riding your bike during your free time.
You want to front and back wheels that can resist the road’s elements. The reality is that less tensioned spokes necessitate more frequent wheel truing.
Too-tight spokes, on the other hand, will damage the rim, spoke nipples, and possibly the bike’s hub flanges permanently.
All spokes should be tensioned to the same degree with this in mind.
Go to a cycling forum and read what other bike gearheads have to say about their fixie conversions and wheelsets if you need more time to think about it.
Conclusion
There you have it: the best single-speed wheelset of the year.
In the end, wheel fit is totally dependent on the cyclist’s preferences and the sort of bike they own, whether vintage, trick, racer, cyclocross, or professional.
Changing from your stock wheels to a single-speed wheelset of your choice will improve ride quality significantly.
Among all the wheelsets reviewed above, this rugged road combatant is undoubtedly the clear winner: Retrospec Mantra Single-Speed Wheelset. As the lightweight champion in this deck, you may expect a speed advantage with this top single-speed wheelset.
It’s the ideal wheelset for making a fantastic fixie because it can withstand the most abuse when riding. Even if you clock in a hundred kilometers or more, the Retrospec Mantra’s wheels stay true for a long time. After that, there’s no more wobbling or sagging spokes.
At its current Amazon pricing, the device is a deal. It’s fast, light, and economical.
It also comes in a variety of colors, including a gold version and a grey version with red spokes.
It has a sleek design and a solid feel, as well as a very adjustable structure and a good hub assembly.
If you’re searching for a high-quality single-speed wheelset, this is the best single-speed wheelset in terms of bike performance and price.
