4 Good, Cheap Fixed Gear Wheelsets in 2024
If you live in any major city, you’ve seen them. They’re fast, fun, and beautiful. Fixed gear bikes are a ‘back to the basics’ concept that has caught on in a major way.
The idea is really simple: rather than having gears, derailleurs, and a freewheel, these bikes have only one speed. In addition, the cog is fixed to the rear wheel.
Best Fixed Gear/Single-Speed Wheelsets
That means it turns at the same speed as the wheel… and no coasting.
The result is a compelling, visceral feeling of control. It’s hard to describe until you give it a whirl.
One reason why fixed gears are so popular is the accessible price point. You can either pick up a whole bike for a song, or you can find a sturdy vintage frame and do your own conversion.
I’ve done a few of these vintage conversions myself, and it’s a blast. There’s no better way to know your ride inside and out.
If you’re going to convert, you’ll need some good wheels to work with. They’re the one modern component you can’t go without.
This piece reviews a handful of the best and cheap fixed gear wheelsets around. I hope it helps!
Let’s get started.
Building a Fixie? We Review 4 Great And Cheap Fixed Gear Wheelsets
FYI: Track Wheelsets vs. Fixed, What’s the Difference?
You’ll see wheels of this type described as both track and fixed gear sets. That can lead to some confusion. Ultimately, they are almost identical.
The main difference? Track wheelsets are intended for a velodrome (race) setting, and aren’t really designed for pavement riding.
True track wheelsets will be far more expensive and feather light, with no machined braking surface. (Velodrome racers don’t use brakes.)
Modern fixie wheels, on the other hand, are designed for street use.
They tend to come with a flip-flop hub. That means they have a fixed cog on one side and a freewheel cog on the other. That way, you can flip the whole wheel and switch between the two styles.
Flip-flop hubs are very handy, but it’s something you won’t find in Track. A freewheel cog is useless in a track race setting; it’s just extra weight.
All this being said, you’ll still see the two terms thrown about interchangeably. At our price range, it’s pretty much moot anyway.
1) Pure Fix: A good, stealthy fixie wheel set for well under $200
Pure Fix 700C 40mm Affordable Fixed Gear Wheelset
If you’re looking for something clean, simple, and effective, and you want something cheap to buy, consider Pure Fix’s colourful collection of deep dish rims. They have a number of different track style wheelsets in various configurations, from classic stealth to super deep-V.
I like this particular set because it’s available at a very attractive price point, and it’s of high quality.
First off, the hubs are sealed and spin really well. When it first arrives be sure to hold each wheel by the axle and spin it in your hands to test. It should be smooth and silky.
The rims are twin-walled aluminum alloy, and they offer a sophisticated style with a deep dish rim depth of 40mm. They’re slick and stylish without being flashy or over-the-top.
The sidewalls are machined, meaning you can use standard V-brakes without any issues. There are a healthy 32 spokes, making for a strong and durable wheel.
- Hub Spacing & Configuration: 100mm front, 120mm rear. Bolt on (no skewer.)
- Flip-Flop Hub: Yes, with a 16T fixed and a 16t free side.
- Tires & Tubes: No, but the rim does come pre-taped. Be sure to pick up a couple of tubes and tires between 23c and 32c.
Overall, this is one of the top options for a cheap set of fixed gear wheels. They’re everything you could ask for on a limited budget, with very little compromise.
2) State Bicycle Co.: Quality set of affordable fixed gear wheels
State Bicycle Fixed Gear Deep Profile Wheel Set
If you’ve read my other articles, you’ll know I’m a pretty big fan of State Bicycle Co. They are almost exclusively dedicated to track and fixie stuff, and I find they’re a notch above the industry average in quality.
These attractive and affordable State 700c wheels roll really well on sealed Quando hubs. They’ve got 32 spokes per, which ensures enough strength and rigidity for a versatile ride.
The rims are lightweight allow, and the sides are machined to facilitate brake pads. You’ll probably notice a more profound rim profile. With 43mm depth, these deep-v fixie wheels will make any bike pop. You’ll have to decide for yourself if that suits your style.
- Hub Spacing & Configuration: 100mm front, 120mm on the rear. Bolt on.
- Flip-Flop Hub: Yes, but comes with only a fixed cog (16t). You’ll need to purchase a coaster cog separately.
- Tires & Tubes: None, but comes with rim tape installed.
As cheap track wheels go, the State Bicycle Co. set is well worth considering.
3) Retrospec Mantra: Stylish deep-V fixie wheelset with good quality & looks
Retrospec Mantra 700c Deep V Fixed Gear / Single-Speed Wheelset
Retrospec is one of my favorite brands. They’re pretty much all about fixie stuff, so it comes as no surprise that one of their products hits this list.
The budget-priced Mantra is a set of truly deep-V set of wheels. Their rim depth is actually 43mm, but the mono-colour look ensures that these guys look a heck of a lot deeper than they are. I think they’re gorgeous.
The rim material is alloy, and they’re double-walled for strength. Because of the full colour metal, it’s hard to see that the rims are machined to accept calliper V-brakes. They’re reasonably light in weight too.
The hubs feature the same colour as the rims, and the matching hues make any bike look like a million bucks, even if your frame is a beater. They are most certainly not “stealthy”, but where’s the fun in that?
- Hub Spacing & Configuration: 100mm front, 120mm on the rear. Bolt on axle.
- Flip-Flop Hub: Yes, and it includes a fixed cog, freewheel, and lockring.
- Tires & Tubes: Yes, Kenda Kwest.
The price tag is so inexpensive here, and yet the quality is apparent. They offer premium looks even a miser can afford. This is one of the best, affordable fixie wheelsets for well under $200, and I definitely recommend you check it out.
4) Vuelta Zerolite Track: One of the hands-down best wheelsets, great reviews
You might recognize the name Vuelta. They’re a well known brand in the bicycle wheel industry, and they’re not just restricted to fixies. Vuelta has something for just about every riding style and budget.
The famous Zerolite line has been adapted to fixed gear use, and it’s developed into a top-notch single speed wheel set with stealthy looks, excellent build quality, and heaps of positive reviews.
The rims look professional, with a 30mm depth and aluminum construction. The looks are rather subdued. With those race-inspired rim stickers, they look more at home on a road bike than a hipster chariot.
Sidewalls are CNC machined for excellent grip should you decide to run brakes. It features 32 spokes, and the wheel-build quality is excellent: it should arrive mostly in true (meaning very little wobble.)
This was the first set of track / fixed wheels I owned, and I consider it one of the best options for a beginner builder. Because of the simple looks, they’ll match perfectly on anything from gorgeous track bike to a quirky urban warrior.
And perhaps most importantly: these are the cheapest fixie wheels I’ve found, the best affordability-to-value that I’ve come across.
- Hub Spacing & Configuration: 100mm front, 120mm on the rear. Bolt on axle.
- Flip-Flop Hub: Yes, with 16t fixed cog and lock ring. No freewheel included.
- Tires & Tubes: None, but comes with urethane rim tape pre-installed.
In addition to all the fine features listed above, the Vuelta Zerolite reviews really nicely, and they happen to be the least expensive fixed gear wheels in this list.
Can’t I just get a single fixed gear rear wheel?
The answer is yes, absolutely.
To save money, you might consider just changing the rear wheel for your fixie conversion. This makes sense if, for example, you have a frame that’s already complete with 700c or 27 inch wheels. Here are the best fixies under 500, but if you want tricks look at this post about our recommendations for the best bmx bikes.
Pros:
- You save money. Two wheels are almost always more expensive than one.
- Less work overall. Less fitting, brake adjustment, etc. A fixed gear rear wheel can be swapped in pretty easily.
- A smaller front wheel is an advantage if you want to do tricks like bar spins, etc.
Cons:
- You’ll have a frankenbike. If you’re very big into symmetry, this will bother you. The front and rear wheels not matching could be a dealbreaker.
- Older wheels might not be as strong. Sometimes it’s a good practice to upgrade everything, especially if there’s rust, or if the spokes aren’t in great shape.
If you have any other questions or comments, feel free to leave a post in the space provided below. Thanks for reading and happy trials!
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is a single speed bike good for fitness?
Yes, a single-speed bike is good for fitness as prolonged riding can lead to an improved pedaling speed. Rather than being able to change your gear to make pedaling easier on your legs, single-speed bikes force you to pedal no matter how difficult it gets.
The longer you pedal under these conditions, the more strength your legs will be able to with stand. So, single-speed bikes can be excellent for fitness if you want to build up your leg strength and burn calories.
2. Are single speed bikes more efficient?
Single-speed bikes can be more effective than bikes with multiple gears. This is due to the lack of chain drag from the straight chain line, as well as there being no chainrings, pins, and ramps. These can all make your single-speed bike more efficient and faster.
3. Is a single speed bike faster than geared?
The speed of the bike will be determined by the rider and their fitness level. A single-speed bike could be faster than a geared bike if the single-speed bike is ridden by an athlete and the latter is ridden by a beginner.
However, in general terms, a geared bike will be faster than a single-speed bike. The ability to alter the gears and how easy it is to pedal will allow you to ride faster on a geared bike.
The number of gears won’t be the main factor affecting the speed of a single-speed or multi-geared bike. The size, weight, and friction between the ground and tires will be the bigger determining factors of the speed of each bike.
4. Is it hard to ride a single speed bike?
When riding on flat terrain, a single-speed bike should not be any more difficult to ride than a multi-geared bike. In fact, it can be easier to ride and allow you to focus more on enjoying your ride than having to change the gears every couple of minutes.
However, riding your single-speed bike uphill can be more difficult for beginners with less leg power. Without the option to alter the gears to make pedaling easier, you might feel like the hill is never going to end.
5. What are the benefits of a single speed bike?
There are many benefits to owning a single-speed bike, such as the simplicity of your rides. With fewer mechanisms to think about during your ride, you can spend more time enjoying the view and your ride rather than altering the settings on your bike.
Single-speed bikes are also easier to maintain than multi-geared bikes as there are fewer working parts to take care of. These bikes also tend to be less expensive as you don’t have to pay for additional gear.
Another benefit is that the reduction of gears can reduce the weight of your bike, which can then increase how fast it can travel.
Steve Beck is a passionate cyclist and experienced writer covering the cycling industry for over a decade. He has a wealth of knowledge and expertise in all bike-related things, from the latest products and technologies to the best routes and trails. His articles are well-researched, informative, and engaging, and he has a talent for explaining complex cycling concepts in a way that is easy to understand. Steve can be found on the road when he’s not writing about bikes, putting his knowledge and skills to the test.
Thanks for the tips, but they are still out of stock for now ☹️
Thanks for an honest, clear review of these wheels that are amongst the first I checked when I started getting into fixed gear (xcept the state Bicycle) and never dare trying because they seemed very low entry level, looked at he zerolites so many times but the lose bearings didn’t appeal me much. That said
I was surprised tho not yo see miche express in your review, perhaps cause you were only talking about wheels you can get in the US? I have a pair of them and am extremely happy with them, they come with Miche hubs (sealed) come fully true out of the box they are rigid and responsive and I found them at the 209 canada dollars which is less than 200 us. I just thought I mentioned this option. Thanks again, great review