Riding a single-speed is cycling at its most stripped back. Doing without multiple gears, single-speed bikes require little maintenance, making them great for everyday use. But besides minimal servicing costs why would you ride one?
Forcing you to work hard uphill and spin quickly back down, single-speeds help build technique and are great for training.
Equally on flatter terrain low weight and robustness make them ideal partners for commuting. With one less thing to think about they’re fun to ride too, while many riders are attracted by the minimalist aesthetics. But which to choose?
With fewer parts you can get more bike for less money, yet despite their simplicity there’s a broad range catering to many different niches.
From the budget to the boutique Cyclist is here to explain all, helping you choose from the best single-speed bikes of 2018.
The 10 best single speed bikes
Cinelli Gazzetta, £850
Image 1 of 10
Made by venerable Mianese firm Cinelli, the Gazzetta mixes classic and modern, using a slender steel frame twinned with a narrow riser handlebar and deep section rims.
Employing a flip-flop hub it’s possible to switch the Gazzetta between fixed gear or freewheel settings by swapping around the rear wheel.
Although nippy, the Cinelli’s geometry isn’t quite as severe as on a traditional track bike, resulting in handling that’s ideal for whipping through traffic or even tackling extended trips.
Furthering this the Columbus steel frame also adds a modicum of comfort. Still without bottle cage mounts, let alone room for mudguards, this is definitely a bike for thrashing not pottering.
Buy the Cinelli Gazzetta from Evans Cycles here
Surly Steamroller, £850
Image 2 of 10
An ideal city runaround the latest version of the long serving Surly Steamroller comes with comfy backswept bars.
Despite clean lines its beautifully made frame has space for tyres up to 38c wide. With 32c models fitted as standard it’ll even accept mudguards, while the easy-spinning 45-18t gearing means it’s ready to go wherever you point it.
Built with a sensible and robust parts list the Surly’s hubs are stand out items. Using stainless hardware and running on quality cartridge bearing they should last almost as long as the bike’s robust steel chassis.
Read our full Surly Steamroller review
Buy the Surly Steamroller from Tredz here
Pinnacle Dolomite, £600
Image 3 of 10
With a light aluminium frame and disc brakes the Pinnacle Dolomite eschews the retro vibe favoured by many single-speeds.
Equally modern its compact geometry leaves it keen to be thrown around corners, while the short and shallow handlebars allow the rider to adopt a variety of positions, a boon on longer rides.
With two sets of bottle cage bosses along with rack and mudguard mounts it’s proficient at a range of tasks, from commuting through to touring.
Enhancing the low maintenance qualities inherent to all single-speeds, the Pinnacle’s TRP Spyre mechanical disc brakes require little attention yet provide enhanced stopping and consistent wet weather power.
Buy the Pinnacle Dolomite from Evans Cycles here
Charge Plug 0, £400
Image 4 of 10
The winsome Charge Plug is more than just a pretty paint job. Its short reach steel frame is smooth riding and keen to get off the beaten track.
Helping it do so are wide 38c tyres designed to smash through mixed terrain and powerful cantilever brakes that won’t bung-up with mud in sloppy conditions.
Parts wise, the Charge Spoon saddle will complement most bottoms, while up front the more marmite-like bullhorn bars provide plenty of extension, allowing the rider to get low or easily ride out of the saddle.
All propelled by an easy turning gear, the Plug is lots of fun for very little cash.
Buy the Charge Plug from Cycle Republic here
Genesis Flyer, £750
Image 5 of 10
A deceptively modern steel single-speed the Flyer pinches its geometry from Genesis’s road bike range. With a nippy double-butted frame the choice of a carbon fork also helps elevate the ride while lowering the weight.
Quality 28c Clement Strada tyres impart grip and keep rolling resistance down, something added to by the light 32h wheelset. Stopping them getting you soggy and increasing year-round practicality is a set of full length mugards.
Using a ready rolling 42-17t gear that can be run either either fixed or free the Flyer is equally suited to racking up training miles or serving on the commute.
Buy the Genesis Flyer from Tredz here
Bombtrack Arise 1, £800
Image 6 of 10
A simple steel single-speed with mini V-brakes and plentiful scope for customisation.
Inspiring wanderlust the Arise’s skinny frame provides enough flex to make trips off road enjoyable, something furthered by its relaxed geometry and lengthy wheelbase.
With lots of tiny knobbles the 35c Kenda tyres are also adept on the trail and not excessively slow on smoother surfaces.
On road the short gearing makes the Bombtrack easy to power, while mounts and space for racks and mudguards mean it’s ready to commute or tour.
There’s even a chain guard to stop it chewing up your jeans.
Read our full Bombtrack Arise 1 review
Find a dealer for the Bombtrack Arise 1 at Bombtrack here
Kona Paddy Wagon, £599
Image 7 of 10
Kona’s take on a hip city runaround the Paddy Wagon benefits from a great frame and a well researched parts list.
The flat bar might not suit purists, but is easy on the back and means the brake levers are always to hand, something crucial when riding in the city.
Done up in sparkly green paint the 4130 steel frame packs in bottle cage and mudguard mounts while the straight blade fork features a stella looking cast steel crown
The 28c Schwalbe Lugano tyres are fast moving and fairly puncture resistant. Sitting on mid-depth rims, at the back these spin on a flip-flop hub letting you switch easily between fixed and freewheel modes.
Buy the Kona Paddy Wagon from Tredz here
Vitus Vee 29, £250
Image 8 of 10
An absurdly cheap bike the Vitus Vee is an ideal N+1 commuter. A low slung mountain bike style single-speed it’s designed for the city, but not afraid of the trails.
Built around a tough aluminium frame and straight bladed steel fork the Vee is crying out to be bounced up kerbs or hopped over the odd speed bump, yet its low front end and wide handlebar keep progress businesslike.
Its V-brakes are powerful compared to calipers and add clearance, while at the back micro chain tensioners ensure the wheel stays locked in place.
WTB Nine Line tyres are two inches wide but feature low profile knobbles making them surprisingly rapid on road.
Buy the Vitrus Vee 29 from Wiggle here
Jamis Beatnik, £310
Image 9 of 10
Made of high-tensile steel the Jamis’s frame may be basic but it’s strong and comfy when compared to an aluminium alternative.
Able to be run fixed or free, with narrow riser bars the Beatnik apes bike messenger style and is most at home on city streets.
Coming as stock with moderately wide 28c tyres, its long drop brakes calipers allow you to go even wider or fit mudguards.
Ideal for urban commuters, with a black frame and black components the Jamis is both stealthy and less likely to attract the attention of thieves than more brightly coloured alternatives.
Buy the James Bitnik bike from Evans Cycles here
The Light Blue Trinity Pista, £1,100
Image 10 of 10
Made of Reynolds 531 steel tubing held together with brazed lugs the Trinity Pista is gorgeously retro, with a parts list featuring a quill stem, deep drop track bars, and leather contact points only adding to the effect.
However, underlying its classic looks a modern road bike geometry means the Trinity as pleasant to ride as it is to look at, while the quill stem actually makes getting a good fit easier than with a modern ahead system.
Rolling on fast and light Halo Aerotrack wheels it’s no slouch either, something accentuated by the skinny 24c gum-wall tyres. But with no front brake this is one for the track and not the open road.