a7ended

Hi,

I'm quite new to this stuff. I have a giant single speed road bike and I want to get new wheels. However I am not sure if all wheels work for single speed bikes. Do I need to buy a kit or something to make wheels work for single speed?


thx.

luno-pdx

do you know what a single speed is?

mattyfatty182

Rhythm of Life

Just make sure its a track hub in the rear so you can make sure you got a lockring.

ADSR

Lockring not necessary for single speed.

a7ended

Thx for the replies.

Yes, single speed means that there is only one gear the bike is on. No shifting.

So when I buy a wheel, I just have to make sure it has a track hub. But what if the rear wheel does not? Do I just buy a track hub and somehow put it on the wheel?

Do wheels come with sprockets? or Can I use my own?


thank you.

bbattle

There are several places on the internet selling "TRACK" wheelsets. This means the rear hub is a track hub and can at least handle a fixed gear cog. Many also have "flip-flop" hubs; meaning they have the threading for a freewheel (singlespeed) cog on one side and the stepped threading for a fixed cog and lockring on the other. They will not come with fixed cogs or freewheel cogs. You supply that yourself.

You can grease the threads and spin a freewheel onto your hub but you'll need a special tool to remove it. Or a screwdriver and a rubber mallet.


There are also flip-flop hubs that have fixed threading on both sides. When the Tour de France started climbing mountains a hundred years ago, these hubs were allowed so the riders could flip the wheel and change gears for the climbs.

Many hubs' fixed threading is wide enough to accomodate a freewheel cog. Formula hubs are like this. This means that if you buy a fixed-fixed flip-flop hub, you can run singlespeed on both sides, ss on one side and fixed on the other, or fixed gears on both sides.

I recommend you get a wheelset that has a fixed-fixed flip-flop hub. While you can buy premade wheelsets, it's advisable to take them to a reputable wheelbuilder to make sure they are true and evenly tensioned.

Even better is to have your wheels custom made. You get to pick the hubs, the rims, the spokes, the spoke pattern, the nipples, etc.

I've got wheelsets built locally with Mavic Open Sport rims, Velocity Aerohead rims, Sun CR-18 rims. Formula hubs, DT Swiss double-butted spokes or Sapim Laser, brass nipples. Nothing fancy or weight weenie but dependable and strong.


Why do you need/want new wheels? If you are quite new to this(as you say) then ride for a while and learn more about your hobby before dropping cash on anything.

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/singl...tml#freewheels

https://sheldonbrown.com/harris/wheels1.html#singlespeed

https://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html#hub

https://sheldonbrown.com/singlespeed.html

https://sheldonbrown.com/fixed.html

the_don

Nice post BBattle.

But a question to the OP. Why do you feel the need to change your wheels?

a7ended

Thx bbattle for the reply.

I have had my bike for about 2 years now (used) and I use it mostly for commute. I want to make my ride a bit more smoother and faster, so thought getting new wheels and tires might be a good idea.