Gravel cycling is a great way to explore new places and ride on multiple terrains with only one bike. It is one of the best things to happen to cycling in decades and has been an excellent way of bringing road cyclists and mountain bikers together.
Our readers often ask us, “What is a single speed gravel bike?”. Single speed gravel bikes are very unique and a great way to cycle. In this article, we will be telling you all about speed gravel bikes by speaking about:
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What Is A Single Speed Gravel Bike?
Single speed bikes come in many shapes and sizes. You will commonly see road bikes in single speed versions and it’s not rare to see a single speed mountain bike on a trail. It was only a matter of time before we started seeing single speed gravel bikes.
Single speed refers to the gearing of the bike. It means you only have one single gear to use. This means you have one single gear for riding on flats, uphills, and downhills. You have no shifters, just brakes on the handlebars.
It’s a unique way to ride a bike and definitely screams simplicity. Although incredibly limiting, it will definitely help you get fitter and is a fun way to travel as you have one less thing to think about on adventures.
Related Reading: What is a Gravel Bike Frame?
Single Speed Gravel Bike Quick Picks
| Manufacturer | Frame | Price | Find |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salsa Stormchaser | Aluminum | $1,899 | Check Prices Now>>> |
| Motobecane Fantom | Chromoly | $995 | Check Prices Now>>> |
| Genesis Flyer | Chromoly | $900 | Check Prices Now>>> |
| Bombtrack Aris | Chromoly | $1500 | Check Prices Now>>> |
Why Would You Want A Single Speed Bike?
Surprisingly single speed bikes are incredibly popular, and most cyclists who love a challenge end up trying one at least once. Here’s the appeal of a single speed bike:
Simplicity
Single speed bikes do add a certain amount of simplicity compared to riding a bike with gears. You don’t have to worry about what gear you should be in and it offers the rider an experience you wouldn’t get using gears.
Low Maintenance and Easy Servicing
Single speed bikes are simple when it comes to how they are set up. You have no derailleurs, gear cables, and only a chainring and a single cog. This makes a single speed bike incredibly low maintenance and easy to service.
They Get You Very Cycling Fit
It is challenging when you only have one gear for flats, climbing, and descending. However, this comes with great rewards. You learn how to cycle at different cadences. You push your legs to grind with heavier power and work with more agility at faster rpm.
They are much cheaper
When it comes to single speed bikes, they are very cheap. They are generally much less to buy from new, and also, when it comes to servicing, it’s much cheaper as you require fewer parts and less labor. The difference in maintenance costs compared to mountain bikes is huge.
Lightweight
Single speed gravel bikes are generally lighter than normal bikes. With fewer gears and equipment, there’s less to weigh them down. Not by much, only 800-1200g, but it makes a difference over time.
Related Reading: Gravel Bike vs Road Bike
Best Single Speed Gravel Bikes
Here are our top choices of the best single speed gravel bikes we have found on the market.
Salsa Stormchaser
- Aluminum Frame with Carbon Fork
- Raceface Crank 38t/17t
- Mechanical Disc Brakes
- 700c wheels with 42c tires
- $1899
Salsa is well known for making incredible off-road bikes. They are nothing but high quality and built strong enough to circle the world multiple times. The Stormchaser comes in various models, but one of the most popular is a single speed.
It is a lightweight aluminum frame paired with a carbon fiber fork. It won’t be the most forgiving ride, but it will be lightweight and fast. The bike’s design and look are incredible, and we love the modern style.
It comes with a Raceface crank and is geared to be a good all-rounder with a 38t on the front and a 17/18t on the rear. The brakes are mechanical disc brakes with good stopping power and will work in all conditions, rain or shine. It has 700c WTB wheels with 42c large gravel tires.
Pros
- Looks excellent in white with internally routed cables
- Lightweight frame with carbon fiber forks
- Disc Brakes have good stopping power
- Raceface components
Cons
- Price is expensive
- Aluminum is a stiff ride
Motobecane Fantom Cross Uno Pro
- Chromoly Steel Frame and Fork
- Samox Crank 40t/16t
- Mechanical Disc Brakes
- 700c wheels with 37c tires
- $995
Motobecane is a name you will often hear with motorbikes, but they also make some excellent push bikes. The Fantom Cross Uno Pro is a single speed gravel bike that isn’t seen often as they are quite rare. It’s a basic bike but is amazing value for money.
It has a chromoly steel frame and fork, so you can expect excellent strength and a lot of comfort when being ridden, although it might be a little heavier. The Samox crank comes in a 40t, and it’s paired with a 16t on the rear for a solid gear for the flats.
It comes with mechanical disc brakes, which we would expect at this price. You will get good stopping power as it has 160mm disc brake rotors. The 700c wheelset is paired with WTB Riddler tires, which are excellent on and off the road.
Pros
- The price is excellent at $995
- Great gearing for the flats
- WTB Riddler tires
- Classic styling looks great
Cons
- It will be fairly heavy compared to other bikes
- The classic styling is not for everyone
- The bikes are hard to find
Genesis Flyer
- Chromoly Steel Frame and Fork
- Samox Crank 42t/17t
- Mechanical Disc Brakes
- 700c wheels with 37c tires
- $900
Genesis is not shy about making a great gravel bike. One of our favorites is the Croix De Fer. This was one of the most popular gravel bikes over the past few years. The Flyer is another great creation of theirs which had to be seen on this list.
Not only does the genesis look excellent, but we also love how they have used classic styling with modern geometry. The chromoly steel frame and fork are very forgiving and will give a very smooth ride no matter how rough the terrain is.
The gearing is quite high compared to others on this list, with a 42t chainring on the front and 17t on the rear. It will offer great riding in the flats. It also has mechanical disc brakes for excellent stopping, large 700c wheels for going over obstacles, and 37c WTB tires for traction.
Pros
- Very strong frame offering a comfortable ride
- High gearing for the flats
- Mechanical disc brakes
- WTB tires and large 700c wheels
- Only $900, which is incredible
Cons
- Not the lightest bike
- The gearing could make climbing challenging
Bombtrack Arise
- 4130 Chromoly Steel Frame and Fork
- Bombtrack Crank 42t/16t
- Mechanical Disc Brakes
- 700c wheels with 37c tires
- $1500
Bombtrack made a huge statement when they started making gravel bikes. They became so popular that they couldn’t build them for their customers quickly enough. The Arise is a single speed gravel bike of theirs. On the surface, it looks like the other gravel bikes, but it’s the finer details that make this bike.
The frame is 4130 double-butted chromoly, and the paint job is incredible. It has all the finishing touches you could want, from extra bikepacking bottle cage holes and mounts holding spare spokes. Bombtrack even uses its own cranks. They have set the Arise up with a 42t/16t, which is very high gearing for fast riding.
The mechanical disc brakes are from Tektro and come with 160mm rotors, giving you excellent stopping power. The wheels are WTB rims paired with Bombtrack’s own hubs. To make it even better, 40mm Vee tires wrap around them.
Pros
- It looks incredible
- Frame detailing
- Disc brakes provide great stopping power
- WTB rims and Vee tires
- High gearing for fast riding
Cons
- Cost isn’t cheap
- Gearing will make the hills tough
Related Reading: 7 Best Gravel Bike Shoes
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is A Good Speed For A Gravel Bike?
When it comes to riding a gravel bike, the speed really comes down to what terrain you are on. If you are on challenging terrain like rough roads with lots of climbing, you would be happy with 10 mph. If you were on flat, smooth roads, you might be upset with 15 mph. It depends on the circumstances, there are too many factors that affect it.
Can A Gravel Bike Ride Single Track?
Of course, you can ride a gravel bike on a single track. The wider tires of a gravel bike give it a huge amount of ability, and although it might not give you as much control as a mountain bike, it will still do the job.
What Is Fixed Gear Compared To A Single Speed?
When you stop pedaling, a single speed bike will free-wheel, meaning you can coast along. Fixed gear means it is always engaged, so you can’t just stop pedaling. You need to slow the rotation down as the bike slows down. A rear wheel on a singlespeed bike can sometimes come with an option for both fixed and single speed.
Is A Single Speed Gravel Bike A Good Idea?
A gravel bike is the only bike you need for a mix of all terrains. Geared bikes or not, will give you a good experience. We love the idea of single speed gravel bikes, and in flat areas, they will be excellent. In hilly areas though, you might find them too challenging and you might need to consider a geared bike. Most gravel bikes will be geared and removing the gears makes them much less versatile bike.
Read More: Gravel Bike Wheels; 700c vs 650b