Best Single Speed Crankset in 2021: Top 8 Picks
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Biking is a great way to get some exercise while enjoying the beauty of nature. If you’re an avid cyclist then you know the importance of having the best single speed crankset, especially as you get more experienced and advanced at it.
You see, while there are many parts in a bicycle, the crankset is one of the most essential. This is because it’s what allows the wheels to turn when pedaling. It’s also responsible for ensuring that you enjoy a comfortable and worry-free cycling trip.
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Single Speed Bicycle Crankset Reviews
Our goal with this guide is to help you find the best fixed gear crankset so that you can make the most of your cycling experience.
1. Retrospec Fixed-Gear Crank
The Restrospec Crankset is the best fixie crankset hence it’s at the number one spot. It comes in a variety of colors and it’s a budget-friendly option for the self-sufficient DIY-er. You can also use this crankset to upgrade your road bike’s drivetrain.
It’s as sturdy as they come, as it’s made from a combination of aluminum alloy and steel. Of course, it’s made of various components and it’s available in three main sizes, namely, 46T, 48T, and 44T.
This gives you access to a variety of options to choose from based on your unique riding style and preferences.
However, it’s worth noting that it comes with a 170mm long crank arm which is perfect for more riders regardless of their cycling style.
2. State Bicycle Co. Fixed Gear Bike Crankset
State Bicycle Co. is one of the best manufacturers of cranksets and they have a way of combining style and quality.
This reputable brand is also known for prioritizing versatility in their products, knowing that they have to cater to customers of different tastes and preferences.
That’s why this crankset comes in four different colors. This includes white, polished aluminum, gold and black. This is a three-piece crankset that’s assembled to include 6061 aluminum alloy crank arms and five bolts. The only downside is that you have to purchase the bottom bracket that’s required separately.
Also included in this crankset is a chainring that measures 18 inches and it’s large enough to accommodate 46 tooth count. This crankset only weighs 2 pounds which means it’s nice and light.
3. Vuelta Pista Track Crankset
The Vuelta Pista track crankset comes in a plethora of different colors and sizes to suit different users.
It comes in white, black, and silver, and it’s compatible with a 108mm BB spindle. It’s constructed from cold-forged alloy and it features handy crank bolts.
In terms of measurements, this crankset is 9.2 inches wide and 12.1 inches long, as well as 2 inches high. Pair this with a weight of 1.95 pounds and you’ve got a low-profile product with a square tapered bottom bracket.
This is one of the best single speed cranksets that’s durable and offers high performance.
4. Pro-Lite Store Single Speed Crankset Set
Next in our list of the best single speed crankset, we have the Pro-Lite model. It comes with a lot of great features like two crank arms and a drive side.
If you look at the bottom, you’ll see that it has square taper brackets and 53 teeth. It’s worth noting that you’ll have to order the bottom bracket separately as it doesn’t come with the crankset initially. But it’s well worth the money if you want to get the most out of it.
Make sure to get a 68mm wide bottom bracket if you have a single-speed bike, while the spindle length will depend on your specific bike frame.
There’s a protective cover which makes it suitable for a track road bike, a fixie, and of course a single speed bike. But, what makes it the best crankset for fixie is the fact that it weighs about 669g.
5. SRAM S300 Courier Crankset
One of the best fixed gear cranksets, the SRAM S300 Courier Crankset is another budget-friendly option that offers the opportunity to improve your bike’s performance and durability.
It has a stylish aesthetic and comes in an overall attractive package. Comes with greased threads but that’s about the only place where you’ll find excess grease as other parts of it are perfectly clean.
This crankset also comes with washers that are compatible with the crank arms. This means that you’ll be able to install pedals without getting your hands dirty. After installing this crankset, you’re guaranteed a smooth ride with no flex thanks to how sturdy it is.
It’s worth noting that this crankset is mostly made from durable plastic components except for the external cups. They’re constructed from strong aluminum material. There aren’t any rough edges on the pedal threads and bottom bracket as would be expected and it features high-quality spindles as well. It also has clean laser etching which is nicely finished and won’t come off even after many years of using the crank arms.
6. CYSKY Crankset 48T
The CYSKY crankset is a great bicycle crankset for those who like to prioritize quality over everything. That’s because it’s made by a manufacturer who prioritizes durability and strength and it comes with all the components and features required to ensure proper output.
What makes this crankset a great investment is the fact that it’s suitable to ride on any type of road surface with very little effort.
You can use this crankset to reduce your bike’s maintenance costs and it’s constructed from a type of aluminum alloy that’s referred to as 7075-T6. It’s durable but lightweight and easy to navigate and use.
Despite its name, this crankset is suitable not just for single speed bikes but for track road bikes and fixed gear bikes as well. We also like the fact that it features an anodized CNC cutting surface, which is great.
7. SUNLITE Single Speed Crankset
The SUBLITE crankset is similar to a Shimano single speed crankset for those looking for a high-quality product. It’s well-constructed from durable materials, easy to install and it offers a perfect finish.
It’s much lighter than other cranks in the same category, and it’s all thanks to its aluminum alloy crank arms while the chainring is constructed from durable stainless steel.
You have two sizes to choose from with this crankset – 32T and 44T. It also comes with a square taper interface. The great thing about this crankset is that it allows you to decrease and increase your gearing without feeling the difference except for when you’re going uphill.
This is the type of crankset that you need though if you do plan on riding uphill because it’ll enable you to do so without getting too tired. However, it’s not without its faults. For instance, we feel that it would have a much better alignment if it had an external chainring. But this is just one design flaw that can easily be fixed in the next version.
If you want to install this crankset on a fat bike, then you’ll need a new bottom bracket with a longer spindle.
8. CDHPOWER Single Speed Crankset
The CDHPOWER crankset comes highly recommended by reviewers who have used it to their satisfaction.
It’s very well-designed with a durable body that includes a steel chainring, and alloy crank arms.
You’ll be glad to know that it works well with 9/16-inch pedals and it only weighs about .57 kg which is impressively lightweight and easy to use.
It’s also worth noting that this crankset is backed by a very generous 12-month warranty. It comes with a handy square taper interface. This is what makes it so durable yet affordable and easy to install and work with.
How to Get the Best Single Speed Crankset
Now that you know what the best single speed cranksets are, it’s time to look at the criteria that we used to compile this list.
Here are some of the most important features to look for in order to ensure that you end up with a crankset that suits your unique needs and preferences:
Tooth Count
Different types of cranksets typically offer varying amounts of chaining tooth counts. The tooth count refers to how many tiny teeth are required to hook the chain up.
This is a very important feature because the more teeth the crankset has, the harder it’ll be for you to climb uphill once you’ve installed it. But at the same time, you’ll be able to ride faster in a straight line.
If the road or trails that you ride on tend to have steep inclines and hills then you should opt for a low tooth count chainring which will most likely be small.
For flat areas, then you can get away with a higher tooth count. For the most part, the front of a chainring typically features a tooth count of about 42 to 44. While the rear cog has a tooth count of 16 to 17.
Arm Length
Cranksets also come in different arm lengths. This is important to consider because it will affect your speed and surprisingly enough, it could be the difference between experiencing knee-pain and enjoying a pain-free ride.
For the most part, a longer arm translates to effortless paddling even at high speeds but then you have to be careful with your pedal stroke.
Shorter crank arms allow you to enjoy a faster cadence while reducing your power. They are very popular among long-time cyclists who have developed knee pain because crank arm length has been associated with knee pain.
Brand
It’s also important to make sure that your crankset is manufactured by a reputable brand with a good track record.
There’s no shortage of manufactures on the market today, and this can make it difficult to figure out which is the right choice because you even have cheap options from China and Taiwan that look like all the others.
But, unknown brands have been known to compromise on safety and quality in the name of making a more affordable product and because they want to get their name out there.
That’s why it’s best to go with a reputable brand that’s known for making high-quality products that won’t let you down.
What is a Single Speed Crankset?
As we mentioned above, the crankset is one of the most vital components of your bike, particularly the drivetrain.
Without the crankset, you wouldn’t be able to pedal your bicycle and see the wheels turn, particularly the rear wheels. However, the modern crankset is a far cry from earlier renditions and it features a lot of great features.
For best results, make sure to look for a modern crankset instead of an older model. This is because the latest ones come with bottom brackets that help to optimize your bike’s performance. They’re also incredibly lightweight and make it easier to pedal with precision even with the added component.
There are many single speed cranksets available today than at any other time in history. This makes it easier to find one for your specific needs, whether you’re looking for one that’s track, integrated or square taper in design.
To find the best crankset it’s highly recommended to have an idea of what you’re looking for from your bike.
For example, it’s possible to go from a square crankset to an integrated model. But, you’d have to take your time when making this transition and consider a few important factors and specs first.
Types of Single-Speed Cranksets
There are two main types of cranksets to choose from:
Integrated Crankset
An integrated crankset looks way cooler and is easy to pick out from a crowd. It’s great for anyone that’s looking to upgrade their square taper crank. This is because all you have to do is to fit it into a BB using two separate cups.
The thing about this particular system is that it features plastic or nylon-sealed outboard bearings that are protected from splashes coming from the bottom bracket shell. This nylon or plastic sleeve is meant to replace the heavier bottom bracket.
Having a more lightweight and higher performance bike is one of the reasons why a lot of people upgrade from the square taper to the integrated crankset.
Square Taper Crankset
This has to be the most popular type of crankset there is. A lot of fixies come with a cartridge bottom bracket as well as a square taper crankset, which makes for a very functional design.
The great thing about this crankset is that it’s easy to install and maintain. However, it’s not the prettiest.
But then again, some brands have made strides in ensuring that their crankset provides the best of both worlds in terms of design and construction as well as attractiveness.
A square taper is also a very crude form of the product as it features a four-faced spindle which is inserted into a tapered crank opening.
When you tighten the crank bolt you end up pulling the crank onto the spindle which then wedges the square tapers onto the crank.
Main Benefits
There’s a number of mechanical issues that you can avoid just by changing to a single-speed crankset.
But there are many other benefits such as:
- They’re low-maintenance and cost less to own in the long run.
- Lightweight and often more affordable than the alternative.
- You don’t have to worry about regular mechanical problems since there are fewer moving parts to deal with.
- There are no derailleurs and shifters to worry about which means that you can focus all of your attention on mastering your cycling, making it all about performance and fun. This is a peace of mind that you likely won’t get with other types of cranksets.
It’s worth noting that single speed bikes are particularly popular among users who live in flat road cities because they’re just so easy to manage and fun to ride.
How to Remove a Single Set Crankset?
The most important thing to do when removing a crankset is to unscrew and loosen the top bolts first. You’ll soon find that there’s another bolt on the crank puller that needs to be removed as well.
Once you’re done, you can then get rid of the crankset by unscrewing each bolt that’s used to attach the crankset to the bicycle.
How to Reattach the New Crankset?
If you want to reattach a new crankset or even bike hubs like the DT Swiss 350, the first and most important thing to do first is to remove the old one. Then, wipe the entire area with a cloth, particularly the BB so that the crankset is installed onto a clean area.
Thereafter, you can position the new crankset property and tighten the bolts to secure it in place.
Avoid over-tightening the bolts because this could seriously damage the bottom bracket bearings. Afterward, you can even grease your new crankset if you like, although that’s up to you.
Conclusion
Well, there you have it! That’s all you need to know about how to find the best single-speed crankset.
If you were to ask for our advice, we would definitely recommend the Retrospec Fixed-Gear Crank. We can’t forget to mention its cutting-edge single crank arm design, its durable yet lightweight design, and the fact that it comes in a variety of stylish colors.
However, what we like about this crankset is that it’s available in three sizes. These allow you to customize your bike according to your unique riding style, and it has a nice lightweight feel that adds an element of improved performance to your bike.
Most importantly, this is a reliable crankset that won’t let you down when you need it most. It ticks all the boxes of what we said you need to look out for in terms of features.
James Mattis
James is a passionate bicyclist who has done about every kind of biking there is. He loves the wind in his hair, the sun over his shoulder and maybe even the bugs in his teeth. No, just kidding about that last item. He isn’t crazy about road burns, either, but acknowledges that to have the good there is the occasional tumble. James feels that his bike is the place where he can unwind, leave troubles alongside the road, meet new people, go new places, and live the life of adventure that he loves. He is ready to share the ride with you.
