Best Single Speed Bikes in the UK

Review & Comparison, Last Update February 8, 2024
The fixed-gear bicycle is the grandfather of sophisticated bikes you see today. Before complicated derailleurs and freewheels, there was only one ever-spinning gear. So, if you’re interested in a unique riding experience that will let you relive the earliest glory days of biking history, get a single-speed/fixed-gear bike. ...Read more ...Read less
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BEST 2024
PROS
CONS
OUR VERDICT
FRAME SIZE
FRAME MATERIAL
WEIGHT
BRAKES
WHEELS
EXTRAS
WARRANTY
 
PROS

The bike is built with classic geometry and made from hi-tensile gauge steel, the material often found in BMX bikes. The finish looks great and nine colourways give a very expensive feel to this bike.

CONS

The assembly instructions are poor.

OUR VERDICT

The Cheetah 3.0 is lоаdеd with lots of ѕаfеtу fеаturеѕ, which makes it suitable for use by kids and teenagers (taller than 165 cm). For sure, it can make their rides remarkably stylish and smooth.

detailed parameters
FRAME SIZE

54 / 59 cm

FRAME MATERIAL

Powder-coated hi-tensile steel

WEIGHT

10.5 kg

BRAKES

PROMAX RC-469 brake calipers, PROMAX 249, Two-finger - quick action brake levers

WHEELS

Tires: KENDA Kwest K193, 700C x 28C
Rims: 42 mm deep V, double-wall aluminium

EXTRAS

Nylon with velcro and reflector foot straps, Height-adjustable seat

WARRANTY

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

PROS

The Fixie comes with a chain cover that can protect the chain from dirt and dust, which is especially useful for forest trails and whimsical English weather.

CONS

It's rather heavy.

OUR VERDICT

The Royal London bike is a good option for those who look for a budget-friendly yet solid bike, herewith it provides a good level of comfort. And owing to its attractive design, it suits hipsters, commuters, and teenagers alike.

detailed parameters
FRAME SIZE

56 cm

FRAME MATERIAL

Steel

WEIGHT

14 kg

BRAKES

Front and rear V brakes

WHEELS

Tires: Wanda 700c x 25c 
Rims: 700c

EXTRAS

Height adjustable seat, Reflector on the seat tube

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

Trying to make this bike suitable for everyone, the manufacturer offers it in S size suitable for riders up to 1.65m, the M size for individuals from 1.66m up to 1.80m, and the L size for the height over 1.81m.

CONS

You should adjust straps on pedals quite often.

OUR VERDICT

Owing to different frame sizes, anyone will be able to find something for their build. And with the weight of a mere 10 kg, the bike is very easy on the road. For this reason, this hybrid bike is preferred by people of any age. Especially ladies.

detailed parameters
FRAME SIZE

49 / 53 / 58 cm

FRAME MATERIAL

700 Hi-tensile steel

WEIGHT

10 kg

BRAKES

Front and rear brakes by Promax®

WHEELS

Tires: Kenda 700C x 25C (100 psi) nylon race
Rims: 43 mm, 32H, double-wall aluminum alloy

EXTRAS

Height adjustable seat, Ultralight nylon pedals, Soft saddle with steel rails, Bullhorn (optional)

WARRANTY

1 year

PROS

To let you enjoy a smoother ride on any paved surface, the manufacturer has fitted this model with faster and skinnier 700 x 23C road tires. Now you’ll stay ahead of the city traffic.

CONS

The super soft-compound grips wear out quickly.

OUR VERDICT

If you’re looking for a fast, comfy, retro-style bike for urban riding, commuting, leisure riding, or just getting fit, the Falcon Forward hits the spot. It’s a high-quality bike able to endure heavy use and daily rides.

detailed parameters
FRAME SIZE

50 cm

FRAME MATERIAL

Hi-tensile steel

WEIGHT

12.2 kg

BRAKES

Front and rear alloy side pull road calliper brakes with QR mechanism

WHEELS

Tires: 700 x 25C
Rims: 700c double wall black anodised alloy 

EXTRAS

Height-adjustable seat, Reflectors on the pedals

WARRANTY

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

PROS

You receive the bike partially assembled with three Allen wrenches and a flat wrench included in the set. Putting the bike together requires no extra help and takes less than an hour.

CONS

The max weight limit is 100 kg only.

OUR VERDICT

The Critical Cycles Harper Single-speed is a good choice especially if you're new to this type of bikes. It’s classic-looking, affordable, and easy to use. A solid bicycle with a lot of value to offer.

detailed parameters
FRAME SIZE

49 / 53 / 57 / 61 cm

FRAME MATERIAL

Hi-tensile steel

WEIGHT

~ 10 kg

BRAKES

Front and Rear V brakes

WHEELS

Tires: Kendal commuter 
Rims: 30 mm deep-v 

EXTRAS

Height-adjustable seat, Reflectors on the pedals, Tools included

WARRANTY

Amazon's 30-day return policy 

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Cheetah 3106

Premium-quality Bike

Thе Cheetah 3.0 Fixed Gear Bicycle is an outstanding bike that deftly combines some perks оf trаditiоnаl BMX bikes with simplicity and style. It boasts a unique, catchy design and premium-quality components. And with a long-term warranty on thе соmроnеntѕ, fоrk, аnd frаmе, you can be sure you're investing in a product that will last you for long years to come.

The bike is built with classic geometry and made from hi-tensile gauge steel, the material often found in BMX bikes. The finish looks great and nine colourways give a very expensive feel to this bike.

The frame аnd handlebars оf thе Cheetah 3.0 are manufactured from high-intensity steel. The powdered frame along with the double-wall aluminium wheels (36 spokes) is perfect fоr newbies that wоuld like tо gеt a reliable grip оvеr thе joys оf riding. Plus, the tire grip is adapted to any surface, both rough or smooth.

Still, the Cheetah 3.0 is surprisingly light-weighted - just 10.5 kg. In addition to that, the bike is lоаdеd with lots of ѕаfеtу fеаturеѕ, which makes it suitable for use by kids and teenagers alike (taller than 165 cm).

Review of Cheetah 3106 Fixed Gear Bicycle

On the Road

The commuter arrives partially assembled and саn be рut tоgеthеr аррrоximаtеlу within 15 minutеѕ. In theory, you simply need to fit the front wheel, adjust the bar, attach the brakes, and away you go. Although the instructions are rather poor, any inexperienced user is able to assemble the bike without extra help. Thе only tools you'll require аrе the ѕсiѕѕоrѕ and wrench.

Take note that it's a kind of hybrid bike - it's both a fixed-gear and a single-speed model. The (flip flop) hub has cogs on both sides, so you simply need to flip the wheel over, depending on what style you want to ride.

As you see, thiѕ bicycle iѕ backed with some highlights that easily distinguish it over itѕ rivals, mаking it one of thе bеѕt models on thе mаrkеt today. After all, a bike iѕ оnе of the mоѕt significant invеѕtmеntѕ уоu саn make fоr уоur kids, and the Cheetah 3.0 can make their rides remarkably stylish and smooth.

Cheetah 3106 Fixed Gear Bicycle in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B0768J6DH4

 

Royal London Fixie

Cheaper Alternative

The Royal London Fixie (fixed gear bike) is a good urban bike that comes at a ridiculously low price. For less than £135, you can get a decent bike with some standout features.

To begin with, the Fixie comes with a protective chain casing that is rarely found on this type of bikes. The said cover can protect the chain from dirt and dust, which is especially useful for forest trails and whimsical English weather.

Moving on, it's a fairly good-looking bike with a nice white frame, white complimenting tires, and a stylish green saddle. The saddle not only looks lovely but is also well-padded and comfortable for long rides. And if you happen to cycle at dusk, there is a reflector under the seat that will make you well-visible on the road and your rides safe.

Typically, fixed-gear bikes come without brakes, but it's not the case here. To make cycling even safer, the folks behind Royal London have attached brakes at both front and rear wheels. There’s also a flip-flop rear hub allowing you to ride it as a pure fixie or convert it to a single-speed model.

Review of Royal London Fixie Fixed Gear Single Speed Bike

Solid Frame

While reviewing more expensive single-speed bicycles with a number of benefits, we couldn't skip the Royal London Fixie Fixed Gear Single Speed Bike because of its heavy-duty frame. This bicycle has a very strong and durable steel frame not every bicycle of this type can boast of. So, if you put the Royal London bike along with other models of its type, you're likely to notice the difference in the frame thickness at a glance. This means that the frame of this bike is very durable and can withstand significant loads.

Importantly, this frame configuration gives this bike a certain solidity and manliness. Additionally, when riding over rough surfaces, you'll feel vibrations a little less due to the thick frame. However, the cost for that performance is a bit hefty overall construction - 14 kg. Not a dealbreaker, anyways.

To sum it all up, we can say that this bike is a good option for those who look for a budget-friendly yet solid bike, herewith it provides a good level of comfort during rides.

Royal London Fixie Fixed Gear Single Speed Bike in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01DXUYJJQ

 

FabricBike Fixie Bike

High-quality Engineering, Attractive Design

FabricBike is now one of the leading European manufacturers of its field. It’s known for designing some of the best-looking bikes, and this one is no exception. It’s all about today’s individual. It boasts urban-oriented features, stylish design, and lightweight construction. It’s great for either daily commute or just for cruising around the city.

Built with a solid aluminium frame, the bike is ultra-resistant. The entire frame is made of high-quality steel and has the classic geometry of the fixie movement. That is to say, each angle is thoroughly designed to reproduce the position of an authentic fixed gear ride. And like the majority of similar bicycles, the FabricBike comes with a flip-flop hub, meaning you can decide whether you want to go fixed gear or single-speed.

The wheels (the rims of the tires and the spokes) are produced from an alloy that is known to deliver exceptional durability and greater strength. And for safety purposes, both wheels are equipped with the Promax brake set. This way, you’ll get double precaution when trying to stop your bike. It’s really a piece of engineering.

Review of FabricBike Fixie Bike Fixed Gear Bike, Single Speed

Suits Everyone

Trying to make this bike suitable for everyone, the manufacturer offers it in a variety of fun designs and size options.

The S size with 49-cm frame is suitable for riders up to 1.65m, the M size and 53-cm frame is good for individuals from 1.66m up to 1.80m, and the L size with 58-cm frame will suit the tallest riders with the height from 1.81m.

As you see, everyone will be able to find something for their build and taste. And with the weight of a mere 10 kg, the bike will be comfortable for any individual. For this reason, the FabricBike Fixie is preferred by people of any gender or age.

FabricBike Fixie Bike Fixed Gear Bike, Single Speed in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B00ZPO3GWK

 

Falcon Men's Forward

From Reputable Brand

With more than 80 years of experience, Falcon has been manufacturing high-quality bikes tailored specifically for British routes. The company has never cut corners and used only tried and tested components from reputable brands like Shimano, Sram & KMC. And this bike is a great example.

The Falcon Men's Forward Fixie bike is made with the branded Quando flip-flop rear hub that has 2 sides so that you can choose to ride like a normal bike with a freewheel for urban cycling or with the pedals constantly engaged. In the latter mode, the bike offers 1 gear (Shimano shifters).

To let you enjoy a smoother ride on any paved surface, the manufacturer has fitted this model with faster and skinnier 700 x 23C road tires. With these slick tires and 700c double-wall alloy wheel rims, you’ll stay ahead of the city traffic.

Other improvements include front and rear alloy calliper brakes with QR mechanism for superb braking performance and lightweight alloy cranks.

Review of Falcon Men's Forward Fixie-Grey/Red/Black Bike

Retro Looking

The 56cm frame with cylindrical tube profile gives the bike a nice retro feel. It’s constructed from skinny steel tubing that resembles old-school road bikes and makes the Forward look unique. With that, the bicycle uses the straight legged aero-blade fork that is ideally suited to all urban riding - it’s very strong and rigid. The chainwheel is made from lightweight alloy and finished in matt black.

The 5-stack alloy A-head handlebar stem gives plenty of height adjustment options and the 300-mm alloy seat post lets you set the comfortable riding position. The handlebars are designed with super soft grips, while the saddle is generously padded to bring you comfort even during the longest rides.

Overall, if you’re looking for a fast, comfy, vintage-style bike for urban riding, commuting, leisure riding, or just getting fit, the Falcon Forward hits the spot. It’s a high-quality bike able to endure heavy use and daily rides.

Falcon Men's Forward Fixie-Grey/Red/Black Bike in the use

Additional Info

    Manufacturer

Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01FANCMPW

 

Critical Cycles Harper

For Critical Cyclist

If you’re hoping to buy a really affordable fixie bike for daily commuting, the Critical Cycles company offers you a good model called the Harper. With the price tag less than £160, it’s about as affordable as you can find.

Is this bike feature-rich? No, but it definitely performs well, which is the most important thing for the majority of customers. So, if you just need a simple bike for a daily commute, this Fixie will get the job done.

The main material used for the frame is high-tensile diamond steel. The overall construction of the frame is average (it's machine-welded) yet strong. Plus, the finish is decent for a budget-friendly model like this. We believe this bike would be a good buy if you don't overuse it and take good care of it.

The bike can give a rider a good upright stance and visibility for city riding. Additionally, the raised handlebars improve posture.

If you’re worried about how to stop this Fixie, it comes with front and rear Promax brakes. Even though the Protek crankset used here is rather basic (46t), it provides a good gearing for flat surfaces and mild hills.

Review of Critical Cycles Harper Single-speed Fixed Gear Bike

More Details

With a quick flip of the back wheel, the Harper Fixie can turn from a single-speed cruiser to a fixed-gear bike. It’s worth emphasizing that riding a fixed-wheel bike has its advantages, and a guaranteed workout is one of them.

The other components for smooth riding include VP freestyle pedals, KMC ⅛" chain, 25.4-mm riser handlebars, 30-mm deep V rims and thick tires. And what is great, you receive all those components partially assembled. Additionally, you get three Allen wrenches and a flat wrench for building and maintaining the bicycle. Putting the bike together will take you approximately 30 minutes.

We would also like to point out that the manufacturer offers plenty of sizes from XS to XL. So, is the Critical Cycles Harper Single-speed a good choice? Absolutely, especially if you're new to this type of bikes. It’s classic-looking and easy to use. A solid bicycle with a lot of value to offer.

Critical Cycles Harper Single-speed Fixed Gear Bike in the use
Last updated price $0.00
Stock May be out of stock
ASIN B01858V8OA

 

What Is a Single-Speed Bike?

Riders all across the globe choose single-speed bikes because of their simplicity. One speed, one gear, it’s a blast. Single-speed bicycles are perfect for commuting, city riding, running errands, leisure riding or simply increasing your fitness level. Forcing you to work hard uphills and spin quickly back down, single-speed bikes help build technique and are great for workouts.

Single-speed bikes are fitted with a flip-flop back hub on the back wheel, allowing you to change with ease from a fixed gear to a single speed. This type of bike also enables you to choose the braking method - you can either engage the freewheel (standard braking method) or resist on the pedals to brake.

Besides all those benefits, single-speed bikes are easier to use and easier to repair. With no complicated derailleurs, one-speed bikes require very little maintenance and minimal service costs, which makes them ideal for everyday use. Also, many riders find this type of bike easier to manoeuvre.

However, if you want to race a bike or do some off-roading, cyclocross, motocross, and trail riding, you may need beefier tires and more control over the speed. If that goes for you, consider a road bike or BMX bike instead.

What Features to Compare

Size

The first thing to consider with a single-speed bike is its size. For choosing the correct model for your body build, you should check the sizing chart. Some manufacturers offer their bikes in XS, S, M, L, and XL options to make them suitable for every individual. So, make sure to get the bike that suits your size.

Materials

Another key consideration is the materials the bike is manufactured from. Aluminium or aluminium alloys are the most common materials for a frame. They give it good shock absorption and low weight. Aluminium is quite affordable and can resist rust and corrosion well.

Stainless steel can add to the overall weight but it’s a very strong material that will guarantee a long life of the frame. It also makes for a smoother and more comfortable ride compared to aluminium. Yet, steel is prone to rust and corrosion if it’s exposed to the elements quite often. Anyways, a good bike cover can prevent that detrimental effect.

High-end (and pricey) bikes are designed with a carbon fibre frame which is reasonably sturdy and extremely light. So, consider whether you want a heavier but more durable frame or more lightweight but more expensive one.

Components

What you should also take into account is the comfort and durability of components.

Seat. Fixed-gear (also called fixies) and single-speed bikes are featured with various seats, but most often than not, they use a narrow seat that borrows some elements from racing and track bikes. Cushioning varies from model to model, and our recommendation is to go for a thicker one if you’re choosing the bike for your kid.

Handlebar. Usually, fixies come with a short, flat handlebar. Still, there are different styles that may influence your way of riding.

  • Flat bars are the most common choice because they affect manoeuvering - riders need to turn the handle less to corner.
  • A riser handlebar is rarely found in single speed bikes but manufacturers use its variation - the moustache bar that is minimally curled and slightly swept back.
  • Bullhorns can be found on both flat and moustache bars. They allow users to grip a perpendicular handle in a comfy forward-leaning position. Especially great if you’re going to race on your bike from time to time.

Frame and Fork determine the geometry of the bike and influence your riding style. Typically, single-speed bikes use more upright designs for commuting. Leaning frames are good for racing.

Wheels and Tires. Fixie bikes basically use 700c tires that are quite wide and well-suitable for riding on flat terrain, while narrower tires are good for racing. So, think of how and where you’re going to ride your bike.

Brakes. Single speeds come with both front and rear brakes for extra safety. Opt for high-quality brakes from trusted manufacturers, since good brakes are crucial for your safety. Of course, the quality of original components determines the price of a bike. For this review, we did our best to select the models that possess the best price/quality ratio. 

Useful Tips

Here are some important things to remember when riding a fixie.

  • At first, it’s better to test your new fixed-gear bike on a quiet road with a flat surface. In case it’s your first time riding this type of bike, take it to your local velodrome.

  • Unlike road bikes, single-speed and fixed-gear models use nuts to secure their wheels. That’s why we suggest carrying a small wrench with you, just in case you need to fix any punctures.

  • If you’re riding on the road, a working front brake is a must.

What is the difference between single-speeds and fixies?

Both these types of bikes have only one gear or speed. Yet, single-speed bikes use a freewheel on the rear hub, allowing you to coast without a need to pedal constantly. The cranks won’t move if you won’t pedal.

The things are completely different with a fixed-gear bike. It has no freewheeling action and its cogs are always moving. On this kind of bike, the cranks always move at the speed of the rear wheel. Simply put, you need to brake by locking the pedals. Also, you can ride in a backward direction by pedalling backwards.

Which one is safer?

Most riders believe that a fixed-gear mode is less safe than a single-speed. And we would agree with them as riding without a freewheel option requires more skills and takes more time to get used to. Since cranks always move, you should keep pedalling, even when going downhill. Never lose control!

Additionally, you also have to press the pedals to brake or normalise the riding speed. This is basically harder on leg muscles and knees compared to a single-speed mode. The most common injury for fixed-gear newbies is to get hit by a revolving pedal on the shin after a slipped foot. So, be very careful when riding your fixie.

What are the main advantages of single-speed bikes?

As mentioned, the major advantage of single-speed bikes is that they require significantly less maintenance than multi-speed models. The reason is that they lack complex gearing, shifters, derailleurs or cogs. Plus, there are some weight savings.

Not without a reason single-speed bikes are the admirable choice for not only commuters bur many track and velodrome riders as well.

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Publish Date: 2019-07-22 16:15:57