Thanks for this article. I don't know how much you are willing to spend or if you will buy new, but R+E makes a track frame they call the "Shiftless" for $799. Thanks for advice. With a flip flop rear hub, if it turns out fixed riding isn't for you, it is easy to swap to freewheel riding so you can coast along the road. If you're hoping for an unconventional colour, consider picking up the raw, unpainted frame. Overall the Mercier Kilo is a beautiful frame, available in black, white, orange and raw metal, and it's a good choice for a cheap fixie frame. It's a departure from the "classic" fixie look in favour of something more modern. Titanium doesnt rust so expect your frame to last for decades. What's your thoughts on pake frames? (Image credit: ullstein bild via Getty Images), Ability to switch between single-speed and fixed, Might need a bigger sprocket and longer chain, We check over 250 million products every day for the best prices, Why Annemiek van Vleuten kept switching her yellow bikes mid-race, All yellow: Canyon and other sponsors go big on Annemiek van Vleuten's yellow jersey celebration, Exclusive interviews, fitness tips and product reviews, Try a single issue or save on a subscription, Issues delivered straight to your door or device. All rights reserved. Caliper rim brakes front and rear are easily removable thanks to external cable routing, allowing you to go straight from work to the track without any problems. Here's a look at the gear ratios you'd get with various chainring and rear cog combinations. For commuters, often something in the region of 65 to 75 inches is about right. The gear is created by the ratio between the front and rear chainring, measured in inches. You should pick frames in the 52 - 54 range, 50 would be too small. Otherwise you may find your bike doing its best bucking bronco impersonation. A good all-rounder, but you might want to swap the gearing if you're planning on more than just flat rides. Not usually built for racing, these bikes sometimes house mudguard (fenders in the US) and pannier mounts making them ideal commuting bikes. With each product is a Buy Now or Best Deal link. He loves writing about bike-related topics. The bullhorn handlebars are a great option for getting low and aero, as well as having something to pull on for the climbs. They are also big enough to absorb some shock, though they wont provide the fully cushioned ride of a full-on fat bike. I don't believe so. That said, the range has a lot of fans and almost a cult-like following, which can make it tricky to get hold of at times, and with a five-year manufacturer warranty, it's an impressive and attractive bike offering. The Cromoly (Steel) frame and carbon fork set come with ProMax rim brakes and custom extra-long Chromplastic mudguards to provide plenty of protection in wet weather. Realistically, your frame shouldn't cost more than $30 to ship within the continental US. With the same gear ratio a 27.5 wheel will take more effort to turn than a 26 wheel and a 29 wheel will take more effort to turn than a 27.5 wheel. They offer their frames in chromoly steel, TIG welded for accuracy and integrity. I think the one thing about track frames (besides the fact that it lacks cable stops) is that it tends to have a lot steeper geometry -- meaning that it can leave you feeling like you are riding on your nose. A great low-maintenance, ride-ready straight out of the box option. Do Not Sell My Personal Information -. Its still a good idea to make sure theres a freewheel, unless youre ready to keep up with those spinning pedals! The steel frame and fork comes with plenty of bottle, fender and pannier mounts making it a great option for daily riding in all weather. Let the brainstorming commence! The frame also includes mounts for mudguards/fenders, a rear rack and two bottle cages, making it a commute-worthy option. The Tektro hydraulic disc brakes may not have the bling factor of their upmarket equivalents from Shimano and SRAM, but they keep the price down and they will stop you effectively. So what makes a fixed gear bike different? Beverly Lemley from Raleigh, NC on July 01, 2012: Boy, you know a LOT about all types of bikes and what makes them run and how to keep them running! Steel frames have flex so soak up bumps nicely. Built with Reynolds 520 chromoly steel, the frame is extremely strong and light, the most durable you're likely to find. Toto frames are factory made in China. Looking for a fixie that will serve you well during the gruesome winter months? Urban commuter style geometry - The traditional track geometry has been relaxed somewhat. Youll want to consider these options, and you may consider assembling your own build as well! Let's take a look at a couple 'must haves' for your cheap fixed gear bicycle frame. It has 120mm rear spacing, perfect for the setup of most fixed gear wheelsets, meaning you can plug in a rear wheel and go. One more question- found a deal for a used Felt TK3 for about 1/2 price. It's a bit pricier than others on this list, but still very reasonable considering it's a step up in quality. Flip flop hubs are hubs with both sides having a thread. Dolan's FXE is the ideal year-round solution to urban mobility with its compatibility for front and rear mudguards. You'll also have a wider tire clearance on a MTB frame so you can put a bigger street tread tire and get yourself some extra cushion for rough roads and harsh landings. This modularity allows your ride to be totally unique, and it's a lot of fun to plan and build. Visit our corporate site. If you're riding on the road, it is important to remember in most places that it's a legal requirement that you fit a working front break to your machine. It will accommodate single-speed or geared builds with 27.5 or 29 wheels. Similarly awesome, this Pure Fix is a solid choice for anyone seeking a great platform to built a track or fixed gear bicycle upon. There are not many fully built single-speed mountain bikes on the market. Cheers gents. It will still have a freewheel, so you can hold the pedals stationary and coast. @BikePro: Also just saw on eBay TF-B frames, track fixed road bike for pretty good price including headset and bb- made of alloy but welds look cleaner. Riding at its most simplified form is riding a bike with just one gear. If you want to ride long distances on groomed trails the Chameleon will change its color and fit right in! When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Finally, if you're riding fixed, DON'T forget to pedal. While technically speaking you can use almost any frame to build upon, the best way to get started is to find one that's built specifically for the riding style you're after. Some online retailers will offer a super low rate, but make up the difference in shipping. A single speed bike does exactly what it says on the can: it's a bike with just one gear. With a fixie you'll absolutely need a nice taut chain. The dropped keirin-style handlebars and geometry make this a great option for nimble city riding, but with no fender mounts, it's probably best for dry days only. If youre shopping for a single-speed bike and someone offers you a fixie theres a good chance that theyre using the term to describe a freewheel single-speed. As an entry-level bike, Retrospec's Mantra offers plenty of value for money. Available in four colors, including a polished and clear lacquer version. The mechanical disc brakes are a great addition to this single speed, which also comes with a flipflop 14t hub, enabling you to ride fixed gear too. With removable cable guides and a flip flop hub fitted with a 16T cog and freewheel at the rear you could even take it to the track for a fixed wheel spin, or keep it single speed with brakes for the road. The rigid fork and steep geometry mean you probably wouldnt want to take it down the technical steep stuff, but even there, if your kung-fu is up to the task the bike will deliver. A loose frame seriously hinders your ability to ride. Track bikes that are raced on the velodrome are all made from carbon fibre. Pure Fix is one of my favourite fixie brands, and their complete bikes are some of the best value items around. Not to be mistaken for Pure Fix, this gorgeous fixie frame from Pure Cycles is a unique offering. You dont have to try out the specific bike youre considering, but you should try to take a spin on a bike with a similar gear ratio and the same wheel size. If youre looking for a single-speed mountain bike youll be reviewing a fairly short list of built-up options. I'll look at the materials, construction, rigidity, configuration, and riding style of each one. For a personalized touch that will stand out against the sleek black frame and components, you can also choose your favorite Deda handlebar color. Any opinions on the toto frames, fresco single speed frames on eBay? Single speed bikes come in a few different geometry types. State offers a cheap fixie frame in a variety of colours and sizes, and they're pretty much perfect for a highly customized build, Similarly awesome, this Pure Fix is a solid choice for anyone seeking a great platform to built a track or fixed gear bicycle upon, Not to be mistaken for Pure Fix, this gorgeous fixie frame from Pure Cycles is a unique offering, Ah, the Mercier Kilo TT. Beware of shipping costs. Also, if you know I usually ride a 52 frame, am 5'6" with a 30 inseam, they have either 50 or 53. And by fewer we mean just one solitary gear. Many people use the terms single-speed, fixed-gear, and fixie interchangeably. Single-speed riders tend to be experienced cyclists and many prefer to assemble their rides to their own specifications. Mango bikes are all about bold, fun colors and this stylish customizable look comes at a reasonable price too. They're good quality. Thanks again. Notice those amazing forks! If you have a regional bike maker thats popular in your area or if you see a small-brand bike available, they are certainly worth considering. Future Publishing Limited Quay House, The Ambury, Bath BA1 1UA. Both single speed bikes and fixed gear bikes use nuts to secure their wheels. It features a durable steel frame with horizontal track dropouts complete with built-in chain tensioners. An aluminum frame and carbon fork help keep the bike down to a claimed 7.8kg / 17.37, which is impressively about 3kg / 6.6 lbs lighter than most of the single speed bikes at this price point. Contact Us - It is lighter than steel framed bikes but the ride is much stiffer and can become uncomfortable. Cycling Weekly is supported by its audience. There are eight to nine color options across every single component to allow you to build your perfect bespoke fixie bike. They include track style fork dropouts on the rear, and they are set up specifically for track, fixie and single speed builds in mind. The SIR 9 is compatible with either single-speed or geared setups, so if you decide that single-speed riding isnt for you, you can convert your bike to a high-end geared hardtail. Higher ratios feel heavier, making it harder to climb or to get the wheels moving, but help you carry speed better on flat surfaces. Cheap-yet-reliable fixed gear frames exist, even ones with brands, so is it really worth compromising on this to save a couple of bucks? The frame is dropper post-ready, the head tube will accept a short-travel suspension fork, and theres a derailleur hanger to support geared riding. Published 31 July 22, Canyon and other sponsors went big on the Annemiek van Vleuten yellow jersey celebration with a yellow bikes, wheel decals, bar tape, helmets, socks, head unit wraps. In most cases you won't be able to use a BMX frame or anything too small, because the forks need to be able to hold 700c wheels (the standard and common size these days). The above is only a list of frames that I've had a great experience with. It's also a very attractive frame with it's aggressive lines, subtle matte paint and minimalist approach. The frame can accommodate forks with up to 5.5 (140mm) of travel, and the 67.3 head tube angle provides a distinctly modern geometry oriented toward steep, technical riding. The finished build is customizable on Dolan's bike builder, which means you can choose the optimal handlebar width and stem length for a perfect fit. Single-speed riding is demanding, and many of the riders who turn to single-speeds are experienced cyclists who have very specific expectations. Here's why. They're also used in the growing discipline that is fixed gear crit racing, most popular of which is the Red Hook series. I've never seen a TF-B frame up close, but they look pretty decent. Unfortunately, not every frame is suitable for a fixed gear bike build. Considering bike shops often charge $500+ for what I'd consider to be a very basic single speed, a custom build can shave some of that cost. This means you can screw on a freewheel (for coasting) and a fixed gear cog for track bike style riding. Archive - True fixed-gear bikes can be challenging to ride, especially downhill, as your legs have to keep up with the pedals. The welds are often incomplete, allowing water and grime to enter the tubing and reducing the overal structural integrity. You want to protect yourself and avoid buying junk (and yes, there are some real junk frames available out there, made of pot metal. The 42T chainring and 17T sprocket single speed (67-inch) is a great gear for balancing speed and climbs, meaning even if you don't live and commute to the flattest areas, you should be able to ride rather than walk the climbs. With rugged 40c Kenda Kwik tires and the ability to switch to a drivetrain (purchased separately), it's a pretty versatile offering. And cheap to build. Lower ratios mean that pedaling is easier, and are more appropriate for climbing hills. For these riders a custom build has enormous appeal. That means you'll need some room in the dropouts (where the rear wheel slots into place) so you can pull the whole wheel back and tighten up the chain. The components on the SIR 9 are set up for serious mountain biking: this is not an urban cruiser with fatter tires, its a true mountain bike. It's atrocious and pretty scary.). A lovely looking bike from Fuji, the Feather is available in black, as above, or white, with eye-catching hot pink decals, and a bike perfect for those pining for a blend of retro and modern. The Lowside also gives you upgrade options if you decide that simplicity has its limits. If youre up to the challenge or if the trails in your area dont feature leg-busting climbs, a single-speed might be right for you. At the time of this writing it's on sale for a little over $300, and you get a fully painted, hydroformed aluminum frame and forks: a difficult deal to beat! This doesnt affect the amount you pay. All rights reserved. @anonymous: Just built a fixie from scratch last summer on a TF-B 56 Frame, it's wonderful. By Anne-Marije Rook If you dont have the correct chain tension the chain can come off and wedge itself somewhere. In this article, I want to look at some of the best fixie frames you can find nowadays. One of the most beautiful things about fixed gear bicycles is the fact that you can totally customize them, building them from the ground up. Injuries from pedal strikes can happen if you slip at the wrong time. Clearances between the tyre and the frame have been made bigger to fit traditional mudguards and to reduce toe overlap. All my recommendations are excellent quality, so consider taking a look at a few of them first. Swapping between the two allows the rider to choose between a freewheeled single speed, and a fixed gear (explained below). Whatever you want your single-speed hardtail to be, the Chameleon will live up to its name and provide it! I've put about 1K on that thing and it's given me no trouble it's some of the other components that I used that are pissing me off. I don't really care if it is a road or mountain bike. I do have a few more tips when it comes to tracking down cheaper fixed gear bike frames online. Since you've only got one gear, it's pretty important that it's the right one. If you don't find a combination that suits your fancy, you're probably a lot pickier than I am! single-speed gears are described in two ways. It has a lightweight aluminum frame weighing 1.78kg / 3.92lbs (54cm frame) and a sloping top tube for added stiffness, paired with a carbon front fork. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use. The Chameleon is an extraordinarily versatile frame, but its definitely oriented toward mountain bikers. Thus, the FabricLight is ideal for longer distances, when you want to cover ground swiftly, but probably not one for inner-city riding. The primary mountain feature of this mountain bike is the tires. Unless youre very familiar with how a given gear ratio feels with a specific wheel size, your best bet is probably to try it out and see. It is lightweight and offers some flex so it produces a comfortable ride. Coming with a flip-flop hub, the FabricBike Light allows you to choose between at 16T single speed or fixed gear. This is a venerable frame from an absolute fan favourite fixed gear bicycle company. It's pre-drilled for front and rear brakes, so if you prefer riding with a brake setup (my recommendation!) Your first priority will be to get some really decent wheels you are a big guy and the wheels have to stand up to those curb hopping adventures so 26 inch wheels might be the way to go.. Avoid any 'no-name' brands, or any brands you've never heard of. You can find bicycle frames of all shapes and sizes just about everywhere you look. In the first half of the final stage of the Tour de France Femmes, Annemiek van Vleuten swapped bikes five time. You will become a reference guide for bike enthusiasts, for sure! With a price under $200 they are a great value. A single-speed bike has only one gear combination, so you need to have the right one. On a route with frequent turns, though, these handlebars are less good. Selecting the components that suit your riding style and the terrain you ride produces a bike specifically designed for you, to your specifications.The Santa Cruz Chameleon is the ultimate in hardtail flexibility. The Chromoly steel frame and fork means the bike should be hardy but also comfortable to ride. Really well priced too. Single speed bikes are known for being the simplest form of mobility cycling can offer. this is a good platform to start with. There are three bikes in the Core-Line range, Rigby, Wulf (Matte Black) and Pigeon (high gloss 'asphalt' grey), all of which keep the same steel frame and flip-flop hub for either freewheel or fixed geared riding. Personally I prefer steel frames like the State Bicycle ones above, but the Fresco would be nice and light. Toto is ok, they're basically factory bikes, not terrible but not my first choice. The best thing about these frames is the extreme variety of colour and size. Privacy Statement - Sharing the same tubing spec and geometry as the Genesis Equilibrium, the Flyer is aimed at all-season riding, with the benefits of a cadence-friendly 42/17t combo and a flip-flop hub for both freewheel and fixed riding, so great for both undulating and flatter riding. It's a superior basis for any build you'd want to do, especially considering the price tag is often around or under $100. Turning one gear also helps you to learn to use your cadence to moderate your effort and speed - something that's easy to forget when always riding a geared bike. That's what the first Tour de France riders did in 1903 and what people still do today whether they are riding to work on a single speed bike or blitzing round a velodrome on a fixed gear bike. Standing out is the pretty big 44/16t gearing, which works out at nearly 73inch, so you might want to consider a bigger sprocket and longer chain if your rides contain hills. Single speed bikes are renowned for being lightweight because less metal goes into building up the bike. State Bicycle Co. has a ton of great stuff for anyone who's into tricking out their fixie, so they're a favourite of mine. I havent included these bikes here because most of them have limited production capacity and small dealer networks, and their bikes are often hard to order or to find in shops. You can see by checking out the photos that these frames are well built and pretty slick looking. Steel -Steel for single speed bikes frames is the most popular material due to its strength and low price. Many single-speeders simply use the number of teeth on the front and rear gears: a 32 x 18 single-speed has a front chainring with 32 teeth and a rear cog with 18 teeth. Have you seem these? Its also a relatively affordable entry to the world of single-speed mountain biking that gives you the option of converting to a geared setup with suspension, an attractive feature for riders who want to try single-speed riding but arent sure if they want to commit to it! Minnesota-based Surly has always embraced niche markets, and theyve always had some single-speed bikes in their lineup. It still has a front and a back brake like any other bike but just fewer gears. The only serious disadvantage of the SIR 9 is the price tag, which is right up there with what youd pay for a premium geared hardtail. Like their wheels, I highly recommend these State Bicycle Co. frames for your cheap fixie build. Our guide will clarify what it means to ride a fixie or single speed and offer the best single speed and fixed gear bikes on the market. It's by no means exclusive. It is a little higher in price than the previous couple of frames we've looked at, but it's also a step above in terms of quality and construction, and perhaps most important of all, it's proven. Graeme is a Victoria-based web developer who worked as a bicycle mechanic for three years. The welds won't be very noticeable, especially if you choose matte paint.